Global Forum Head of Secretariat

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 GLOBAL FORUM

The Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (the Global Forum) has played a key role in the development and acceptance of international standards on transparency and effective exchange of information (EOI) for tax purposes and in monitoring progress in implementing these standards. It has played a critical role in the international community’s efforts over the past 15 years to counter international tax avoidance and evasion. The Global Forum currently over 170 members on an equal footing, a list of whom can be found on the Global Forum website www.oecd.org/tax/transparency.

The Global Forum Secretariat is based in the OECD’s Centre for Tax Policy and Administration (CTPA), which is the focal point for the OECD’s work on all taxation issues, both international and domestic. 

The Global Forum’s focus is to support and oversee the implementation of the standards in transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes. This includes monitoring implementation, reviewing jurisdictions’ relevant legal frameworks and the effectiveness of their practices, and providing capacity building and technical assistance. The standards include the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI), namely the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) in relation to financial account information and the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), with associated work to review member tax administrations’ Information Security Management (ISM) arrangements and their safeguarding of data exchanged. The Global Forum also monitors and peer reviews jurisdictions’ implementation of the foundational international standard on Exchange of Information on Request (EOIR). In addition, the Global Forum delivers capacity ‑building to member jurisdictions, particularly developing country tax administrations. This it to help them implement the standards in order to participate and benefit from the environment of tax transparency and exchange of information, and to help them mobilise their domestic resources.

We are looking for a highly experienced, dynamic and visionary individual to provide leadership and strategic direction to the Global Forum. S/he will provide substantive leadership, motivate and manage a multidisciplinary team of more than 60 professionals in a multicultural environment. S/he will represent the Global Forum in international meetings, conferences and media events and will work closely with senior policymakers from the world’s leading economies.

As a key member of the management team of the CTPA, s/he will work closely with the Director and Deputy Directors to support, advance and provide strategic direction to the Centre’s work, as well as with the Office of the Secretary-General (OSG), the OECD Sherpa and the Sherpa Unit and other parts of the Organisation in the development and implementation of horizontal projects, and on strategies to advance the implementation of OECD advice in members and partner countries. The Head of Secretariat will work under the direct supervision of the Director of CTPA.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

• Support the Office of the Secretary-General, the OECD Sherpa, and their respective teams on targeted policy advice as they relate to transparency and exchange of information, including to the G20 and G7.
• Contribute to horizontal initiatives (e.g. Inclusive Growth, Gender, Innovation).
• Offer strategic leadership to help members respond to emerging challenges.
• Provide high-level strategic and technical input across the OECD and Global Forum initiatives and external partners.
• Oversee the analytical and policy work of the Secretariat.
• Advance activities of the Global Forum and ensure member compliance with international standards.
• Respond to evolving priorities with innovative proposals for programme delivery.
• Implement communication strategies to enhance the impact and influence of the work of the Global Forum.
• Strengthen co-operation with international and regional bodies.
• Support planning, delivery and coherence across Global Forum’s Programme of Work.

Representation and liaison

• Provide timely briefings to the Secretary-General’s Office and related stakeholders.
• Represent the Global Forum at high-level meetings and lead high-level country missions.
• Communicate effectively with key stakeholders, the media and the general public to enhance impact.
• Establish and maintain a network of relationships with other international organisations, national authorities, and the private sector.  
• Promote visibility and synergies across Global Forum activities.

Management and Co-ordination

• Oversee implementation of the Programme of Work and ensure timely delivery of outputs.
• Actively manage the Global Forum’s human capital, through merit-based recruitment processes, professional development and performance management of its staff.
• Ensure optimal use of resources, skills and knowledge in support of the Global Forum’s business needs.
• 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 a caring environment where managers promote, respect and support staff in developing their full potential.
• Manage fundraising efforts to support the core activities of the Programme, as well as in raising donor funding to support the technical assistance activities. Participate actively as a member of the Management Team of the Centre.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic and Professional Background

• An advanced university degree in economics and/or a professional qualification in tax or a related subject.
• At least ten years’ experience at a senior level in a national government, the private sector or an international organisation working in a tax field directly related to the Global Forum’s Programme of Work, including managerial experience in addition to substantive area responsibility.
• Proven ability in setting strategic policy targets in tax transparency and in leading teams of multidisciplinary professionals to the successful accomplishment of these targets.
• An excellent technical knowledge of tax and administration practices in the subject areas covered by the Global Forum and experience with the analysis of legislative texts and tax systems is essential. Familiarity with the exchange of information practices.

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.
• Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

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.   

Additional Information

Closing Date

• This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 22 June 2025 (CEST).

Contract Duration

• Three-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 14 027 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 in August/September 2025, and panel interviews are planned for the last quarter of 2025. 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 OECD Member Countries or jurisdictions members of the Global Forum www.oecd.org/tax/transparency, 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.