THE OECD – Who we are, what we do

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, whose mission is to build better policies for better lives. We 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 to establish evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a broad range of social, economic and environmental challenges, from the improvement of 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 NUCLEAR ENERGU AGENCY

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency which operates under the framework of the OECD. It facilitates co-operation among countries with advanced nuclear technology infrastructures to seek excellence in nuclear safety, technology, science, related environmental and economic matters and law. The mission of the NEA is to assist its 34 member countries in maintaining and further developing, through international co-operation, the scientific, technological and legal bases required for a safe, environmentally sound and economical use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It strives to provide authoritative assessments and to forge common understandings on key issues as input to government decisions on nuclear technology policies.

THE POSITION

The NEA is looking for a dynamic and visionary Head of Nuclear Safety and Regulation Division. Key activities include leading a diverse team of experts who will support international co-operation, successful implementation of special projects and initiatives, and serve as secretariat to the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI) and Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities (CNRA).  S/he will work under the supervision of NEA Director-General and will work closely with the senior leadership team and the heads of other NEA Divisions to achieve the overall objectives of the Agency as well as contributing to the advancement of the Strategic Orientations established by the OECD Secretary-General.

The breath and the complexity of the policy issues for which NEA is responsible requires an experienced senior executive with an excellent understanding of nuclear energy safety and regulation issues, political processes and effective institutional settings. S/he thrives in a fast paced, multidisciplinary work environment, is an innovative strategic thinker with political sensitivity.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

• Contribute to ensuring the global impact of the Agency’s work, including through increased engagement with key partners.
• Provide strategic input to the preparation and execution of a rich programme of work in the areas assigned to the Division of Nuclear Safety Technology and Regulation.
• Provide support and advice to NEA Management on issues related to the areas of competence of the Division and its committees and working groups.
• Lead staff activities in support of the Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP), including design reviews of new nuclear power plants and oversight of new reactor activities being performed by national regulatory bodies.
• Lead staff activities in support of the effective establishment and project management of NEA joint research projects related to nuclear safety, including experimental projects aimed at expanding the technical knowledge base for a wide variety of disciplines, such as severe accident phenomenology, thermal-hydraulics, fuels, etc.

Representation and Liaison

• Represent the NEA at internal and external meetings and events, establishing close contacts and active collaboration with a wide range of colleagues, stakeholders and partners to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Actively contribute to the effective dissemination of the work of the Division through the media, professional networks, academia and other communities.
• Support and facilitate assigned areas of work for several other NEA standing technical committees, particularly the Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities (CNRA) and the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear lnstallations (CSNI). Provide co-ordination for cross-cutting activities and communications, as needed, with other NEA standing technical committees on issues that relate to nuclear safety and regulatory matters.
• Maintain effective relationships and co-ordinate relevant work with key external organisations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Commission (EC) and other governmental and non-governmental organisations.
• Prepare documents, speeches and presentations on nuclear issues and the work of the Agency.

Management and Co-ordination

• Lead and manage the staff of the Division. Set objectives and provide guidance on the goals, direction and timing of their work; provide regular and constructive feedback on performance to motivate staff and contribute to their professional development. Develop and maintain good teamwork and ensure effective work methods and project management; implement and maintain arrangements to ensure effective internal communications within the Division and across the Agency as a whole.
• Build and lead a cohesive, multicultural and multidisciplinary team, promoting excellence, inclusion and diversity.
• Adhere to and promote the highest professional standards and the ethical principles of the OECD's Code of Conduct in all internal and external matters.
• Ensure close co-ordination with other Divisions of the NEA, particularly divisions with which it shares a secretariat role, and contribute, as appropriate, to cross-sectorial activities of the Agency.
• Supervise the preparation of reports, documents and speeches to ensure that results of the Agency's work are presented and disseminated to the nuclear safety community and to policy-makers.
• Carry out other areas as assigned by the NEA Director-General.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic and Professional Background

• An advanced university degree in a discipline relevant to the work of the Division

• At least 10 years’ experience in nuclear, regulatory or energy policy activities relevant to the NEA nuclear safety programme.
• Excellent knowledge of highly technical matters of nuclear facility safety, safety-related scientific research and advanced approaches to regulation for existing nuclear power plants and for new and advanced nuclear power plant designs, as well as innovative technologies used for nuclear energy systems.
• Experience in working with the international nuclear community is a distinct advantage, particularly a working knowledge and understanding of the activities of organisations such as the lnternational Atomic Energy Agency, the European Commission and the World Association of Nuclear Operators.
• Proven record of conducting relations at senior level and within a political decision-making environment. Well-established contacts with key players and stakeholders in the relevant international communities.
• Proven success in managing and motivating professional staff and experts in a teamwork context, ideally within a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to draft and present clear and concise reports.

Communication and Languages

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

Core Competencies

Staff in Executive Leadership are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes at level 3: Vision and Strategy; Enable People; Ethics and Integrity; Collaboration and Horizontality; Achieve Results; Innovate and Embrace Change.

To learn more about the definitions for each competency, please refer to the OECD Core Competency Framework.   

Closing Date

• This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than 23h59, Paris time, 8 February 2026.

Contract Duration

• 3-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.

Please note that our Rules and Regulations stipulate that the mandatory retirement age is 67.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from 12 672 EUR plus allowances, based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

Process

All applications are screened based on the criteria for the position.  For candidates who are screened-in, written tests and/or video-recorded interviews are foreseen end-February 2026, and panel interviews are planned for March 2026. A leadership assessment will also be requested by candidates in the final selection stage.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates who are nationals of NEA or OECD Member Countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities. Our selection processes are merit-based; we strive to enhance diversity both from national and gender perspectives while running fair, transparent and competitive selection processes.

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

Learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.

Browse our People Management Guidebook to learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and on policies supporting staff in their daily life.