Company Description

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, 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 EXECUTIVE DIRECTORATE (EXD)

The Executive Directorate (EXD) is the steward of OECD resources, on behalf of the Secretary-General. Our focus is on people and their wellbeing; the effective and efficient management of the budget; the safety and security of staff, Delegations, visitors, and of the OECD’s data; maintaining and sustaining physical and digital infrastructure; and enabling the convening power of the OECD through conferences, meetings and events, whether virtual, physical or hybrid. As well as providing corporate services, functions and management support to our staff and Members, we provide integrated, strategic and expert advice on corporate policies and management issues to the Secretary-General, to Council and to Standing Committees, to which we regularly report on corporate matters. We also provide risk management functions (for management areas under our purview). Ours is a fast-paced environment focused on delivering management excellence across all our functions.

THE CONFERENCE, SECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICE (EXD/CSI)

Within the OECD's Executive Directorate (EXD), the Conference, Security and Infrastructure Service (EXD/CSI) is responsible in particular for the conference services, language services (interpretation and translation), safety and fire security of OECD staff, delegates and visitors and the management and operation of OECD buildings facilities in Paris and at OECD Centres abroad. Within EXD/CSI, the Translation Division (EXD/CSI/TRA) translates official OECD documents and publications into the Organisation's official languages (French and English) and into other non-official languages, and conducts other linguistic activities, including work on the digitalisation of translation and translation-related tasks.

The German Linguistic Section of the Translation Division (SLA – Section Linguistique Allemande) is looking for a Head of Section who will be responsible for both leading and managing the Section, as well as providing expertise in translation and revision. S/he shall ensure that requests from clients, in particular the German Delegation and the authorities it represents, are fulfilled in a timely manner and in accordance with high quality standards. S/he shall report to the Head of the Translation Division.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Lead the Section in order to ensure delivery of quality services while managing and leveraging the Section’s human and financial resources.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team, promoting excellence through effective performance management, and the development of staff, ensuring key skills are acquired and/or developed.
• Establish efficient processes and systems for managing translation requests, setting translation priorities, allocating work to translators, monitoring service quality and ensuring timely resolution of issues.
• Oversee the recruitment of SLA staff and participate in the recruitment of Translation division staff, aligned with operational needs and corporate guidelines while fostering diversity and an inclusive work environment.
• Keep abreast of developments in translation technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), and evaluate their potential to enhance translation services. Lead the identification, adoption, and governance of AI-powered and other digital solutions to support the section’s strategic goals. Monitor and analyse existing processes to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of digital translation tools and resources.
• Establish and execute the Programme of Work and Budget for the Section and ensure timely delivery of the SLA programme and objectives.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders in advancing the work of the SLA: the German Delegation, the OECD’s Berlin Centre, the Translation Division, authors, national and international organisations.
• Represent CSI/TRA/SLA both in internal and external fora as required.

Revision, Translation and Terminology

• Revise translated documents from English to German, ensuring consistency of style and terminology.
• Carry out translations from English to German when needed.
• Manage and supervise the SLA’s terminology work.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• An advanced university diploma in translation or equivalent level in languages.

Professional Background and Skills

• A minimum of ten years’ experience in translation and/or revision, preferably acquired in an international and/or intergovernmental context.
• At least five years experience in people management and team leadership within a multicultural environment.
• Proven experience in project management.
• Proven experience in the translation of economics-related content.
• Proven experience demonstrating excellent writing, communication and editing skills.
• Experience in representation, interacting with senior officials.
• Extensive general knowledge, including the general political and economic context in Germany.
• Good general knowledge of a broad range of subject matters related to OECD domains.

Tools

• Sound knowledge of Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, in particular Trados Studio.
• Proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Sound knowledge of recent evolutions in Machine Translation or other advanced technologies.

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 3); Ethics and Integrity (Level 3); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 3); 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

• Native-level German is a requirement.
• Excellent knowledge of English and good knowledge of French.

Additional Information

Contract Duration

• Open-ended appointment, with no foreseen end date.

Closing date

This vacancy should be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight Thursday 18th December 2025 (Paris time).

What the OECD offers

• Monthly salary starts at 10 511 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Click here to consult the Staff Regulations applicable to officials of the OECD. Please note that from 1 July 2025, all Official appointments will be made under the OECD’s new contractual modalities.
• 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.
• 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.
• This vacancy may be used to create a pool of candidates for comparable positions, both for open-ended and fixed-term functions.

Selection Process

For retained candidates, the selection process may include a video-recorded interview, job-based assessment and panel interviews. Please note that native-level German is a requirement for this position and will be assessed throughout the selection process.

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.