Young Associate 2025-27 - Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities - Regional and Rural Policy

  • Full-time
  • Grade: PAL1

Company Description

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

The Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, focus on people, places and firms. It provides comparative statistics, analysis, policy advice and capacity building to help local and national governments unleash the potential of entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises, promote inclusive and sustainable regions and cities, boost local job creation and implement sound tourism policies.

The Regional Development and Multi-level Governance Division focuses on advancing policies that enhance regional development, territorial cohesion, and effective governance across different levels of government. The Division is responsible for analyzing and promoting strategies that foster regional economic growth, reduce regional disparities, and support inclusive development. The Division’s Regional and Rural Policy Unit focuses on enhancing the growth and sustainability of regions and rural areas. Its key objectives include addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges in regions and rural places while promoting prosperity.

Job Description

Role

The Regional and Rural Policy Unit is is seeking a Young Associate to analyze regional and rural discontent, focusing on boosting competitiveness through sustainable Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. The role involves identifying successful partnerships between private firms and communities that enhance local economies and capitalize on climate change opportunities. The Young Associate will work within a multidisciplinary team under the guidance of a Senior Policy Analyst to drive economic revitalization, competitiveness and wellbeing in regions and rural areas through industrialization and innovation.

Main Responsibilities

  • Undertake analysis and perform desk research to identify best practices in ESG and partnerships that enhance competitiveness and sustainability in regions and rural areas.
  • Contribute to the development and analysis of questionnaires to gather insights on private-community partnerships and local economic impacts.
  • Carry out literature review and draft reports on findings related to sources of discontent, industrialization opportunities, and climate change in regions and rural areas.
  • Contribute to the drafting of briefs, policy notes, papers and reports as required.
  • Assist with working and expert groups by facilitating discussions to share knowledge and co-develop solutions that lead to consensus.
  • Liaise with industry and policy experts to ensure alignment with innovative practices and climate-related opportunities for rural development.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

  • Undergraduate degree in economics, economic geography, public policy, environmental economics, political science, statistics, management, international relations or related discipline (graduation date between 1 January 2024 and 1 September 2025). Applications from candidates who already hold or are enrolled in a Master’s, PhD, or equivalent degree will not be considered.
  • Course work in two of the following areas is required: economics, statistics, economic geography, policy, political science, international relations and environmental economics.

Skills

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as very good research and analytical abilities.
  • Statistical and quantitative skills; knowledge of statistical software, such as STATA, R, SAS, or SPSS would be an asset.

Languages

  • Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and a knowledge of, or willingness to learn, the other.

Core Competencies

  • For this role OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 1); Enable People (Level 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 1); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 1); Achieve Results (Level 1); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 1).
  • There are three possible levels for each competency. The level for each competency is determined according to the specific needs of each job role and its associated grade.
  • To learn more about the definitions for each competency, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.

Additional Information

Closing Date:

  • Applications should reach us no later than midnight 1 December 2024 (CET).

Contract Duration

Two-year fixed term appointment

Starting Date

September 2025

Before applying, we encourage you to check your eligibility by answering a few short questions here.

What the OECD offers

  • Monthly base salary is 3 780.34 EUR, exempt of French income tax, plus allowances based on eligibility. 
  • Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.
  • Click here to browse our People Management Guidebook and learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and many other policies supporting staff in their daily life.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of OECD member countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities. Applications from candidates who are not OECD Member country nationals will not be considered.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.

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