Payroll Officer

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 International Service for Remunerations and Pensions (ISRP), administratively attached to the OECD, delivers specialised services to the Co-ordinated Organisations and a range of Associated Organisations. Its expertise spans salary studies, statistical analysis, surveys, remuneration and pension administration, legal advice and fund management, supporting international organisations and international financial institutions in the effective management of remuneration and pension arrangements.

The Payroll Administration Unit is responsible for the accurate and timely administration of pension payments across a network of international organisations. It manages pension payroll operations, related accounting controls and reconciliations, payment processing and stakeholder support, ensuring that transactions are completed accurately, securely and within established deadlines.

The ISRP is looking for a Payroll Officer who, under the supervision of the Deputy Head and Head of the Payroll Administration Unit, will co-ordinate payroll administration activities and perform specialised payroll, pension administration and related accounting functions with a high degree of autonomy. The selected candidate will provide technical guidance, oversee complex cases, support quality assurance and contribute to the continuous improvement of payroll processes and systems.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

Payroll Co-ordination and Quality Assurance

• Co-ordinate payroll administration activities across assigned client organisations and pension schemes.
• Review and validate payroll calculations and outputs before finalisation, ensuring compliance with applicable rules, procedures and service standards.
• Monitor payroll quality, identify operational risks and oversee corrective action.
• Oversee the resolution of complex payroll and pension cases.

Technical Expertise and Pension Payroll Oversight

• Act as the Payroll Administration Unit’s subject-matter expert on payroll operations, pension administration and related regulatory requirements.
• Provide technical guidance on complex payroll calculations, pension entitlements and exceptional cases.
• Advise client organisations on the consistent application of payroll and pension rules and procedures.
• Liaise with external payroll providers, accounting offices and other relevant stakeholders on specialised payroll matters.
• Support payroll operations for pension beneficiaries across client organisations.
• Review payroll testing, system configurations and changes arising from regulatory or organisational requirements.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of payroll data and associated documentation.
• Oversee payroll reporting, accounting controls, reconciliations and audit-preparation activities.

Training and Knowledge Management

• Train and mentor Payroll Officers and payroll administrators in client organisations.
• Develop and maintain operating procedures, guidance materials and training resources.
• Promote the consistent interpretation and application of payroll and pension rules.
• Support the onboarding and development of new team members.

Process Improvement and Project Support

• Lead or contribute to payroll-related projects, system enhancements and process-improvement initiatives.
• Participate in testing payroll-system developments and regulatory changes.
• Analyse recurring issues and recommend improvements to strengthen efficiency, accuracy and service quality, and contribute to business continuity planning and operational resilience.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• Post-secondary education or relevant professional training in accounting, payroll administration, pension administration, compensation and benefits, or a related field.
• Sound knowledge of payroll operations and pension administration principles.

Professional Background

• Significant relevant experience in payroll administration, pension administration or accounting, demonstrating advanced payroll and pension administration expertise, preferably in an international or multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated experience in payroll quality assurance, complex case management and stakeholder engagement, supported by strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience in providing technical guidance and in training, coaching or co-ordinating payroll activities.
• Experience contributing to payroll-related projects, system implementations or process-improvement initiatives.

Tools

• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in payroll applications.
• Knowledge of HR Access payroll software 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 process: Vision and Strategy (Level 1); Enable People (Level 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 1); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 1); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 1).
• 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 should be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 29 November 2026 (Paris time).

Contract Duration

• This vacancy is used to create a pool of candidates for comparable positions, both for open-ended and fixed-term functions.

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

What the OECD offers

• Monthly salary starts at 4 502 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax. Click here to visit our Salary and Allowances Calculator.
• 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.

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.