Trade Modeller - Grade PAL5

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.

Job Description

The OECD Trade and Agriculture Directorate (TAD) provides relevant and timely information and advice to support the efforts of governments to improve the domestic and international performance of their trade, agriculture, food, and fishery policies and to maintain the orderly use of export credits.

The Analysis, Data and Modelling Division (TAD/ADM) provides evidence to support policy advice in support of the OECD’s role in promoting open markets and a rules-based international trading system in good working order. Its work programme includes the regular monitoring of international trade and quantifying and analysing supply chain interdependencies. The division maintains and undertakes analysis of the data collected in OECD Inventory on Export Restrictions on Industrial Raw Materials and the OECD Inventory of Fossil Fuel Support. It develops and maintains the data and modelling infrastructure to support development and use of OECD’s global trade computable general equilibrium model METRO and timely and granular trade analysis. The division also provides support to all other divisions across the Trade and Agriculture Directorate on corporate data engineering and data science aspects.

The Analysis, Data and Modelling Division (ADM) is recruiting a Trade Modeller to undertake empirical and qualitative analysis of trade issues, including using the OECD global computable general equilibrium model METRO. The selected candidate will contribute to the maintenance and development of the model as well as to analytical studies that examine trade policies which involve a mix of quantitative analysis, policy-orientated research and drafting and data collection. S/he will assume a key role in the METRO team and will contribute to the continued development of the METRO model and database, its use in various analyses within the Directorate and across OECD, and capacity building, as well as to the various reports not exclusively based on computable general equilibrium modelling, produced by the Directorate.

Main Responsibilities

Research, Analysis and drafting

• Model trade and agriculture policies in OECD and partner countries for a range of projects within TAD and prepare or contribute to analysis and policy recommendations based on modelling results.
• As part of the METRO team, contribute to the continued development of METRO, the development, managing, and updating of related databases and relevant software and modelling tools.
• Contribute to the ongoing technical maintenance and operation of METRO and maintain the METRO community website, the on-line repository of METRO related information and research.
• Carry out research and draft analytical and policy papers, reports, and briefing notes, exploiting both quantitative and qualitative approaches, as appropriate.
• Participate in the review of analytical documents, papers, reports, and publications written by external consultants and internal colleagues.
• Contribute to other work of the Trade and Agriculture Directorate as required.

Liaison, representation, and meetings

• Contribute to the development of methods for identifying and disseminating key findings and messages in an effective and innovative way, including through data visualisations, presentations, briefing notes, and working papers.
• Contribute input to and participate in the preparation of meetings of OECD committees, working parties and other groups as required, and maintain relationships with national delegations as needed.
• As part of the METRO team, develop and maintain contacts with experts in other international organisations, universities or think-tanks involved in relevant modelling and data collection work.
• Promote METRO externally to a wide range of audiences, for example by participating in workshops, making presentations, and holding bilateral meetings.

Capacity building

• Contribute to the organisation and lead trainings on various aspects of the METRO model to an international audience.
• Provide expert advice by addressing METRO-related questions from model users and offer guidance and support to enhance their understanding and effective use of the METRO model as a research tool.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• An advanced university degree in applied economics or political sciences.

Professional Background

• At least three years’ professional experience in quantitative analysis of issues related to trade and agriculture.
• Experience working on and developing Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models and providing training and support to users, preferably in an international environment.
• Experience in undertaking quantitative analysis using CGE models, and an ability to convey findings in a clear, concise language and to contribute to analysis of policy implications based on the results.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of software for data management and analysis in the specific domain. Strong proficiency in the use of GAMS.
• Familiarity with economic databases such as GTAP, OECD ICIO-TiVA, and WIOD.

Tools

• Proficiency in analysis of quantitative information and experience with advanced analytical tools (Excel, GAMS, Python) is a requirement.
• Knowledge of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) would be an advantage.

Additional Information

Core Competencies

• 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 2); Enable People (Level 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 2); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 2); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 2).
• 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 for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a good working level.

Closing Date

• This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 4 December 2024 (Paris time).

Contract Duration

• 13 months fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.

What the OECD offers

• Depending on level of experience, monthly salary starts at 6 665 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• 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.

Salary Information

• Please note that the appointment may be made at one grade lower in the specified job family, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

Selection Process

For retained candidates, written tests and video-recorded interviews are foreseen in the second half of December 2024, and panel interviews are planned for February 2025.

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.

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.