Scientific Administrator for Risk Assessment of Chemicals

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 OECD Environment Directorate (ENV), in line with the strategic objectives of the Secretary-General, provides relevant and timely information, analysis and advice to support governments in identifying and implementing the environmental policies needed to support a cleaner, more resource-efficient and low-carbon green growth path. The Directorate currently comprises approximately 200 staff members working across a broad range of issues such as: green growth, climate change, biodiversity, water, eco-innovation, resource productivity and waste, environmental policy tools and evaluation, safety of chemicals, biotechnology products and nanomaterials, and linkages between environment and tax, agriculture, energy, transport, development assistance, trade and investment policies. For more information, please refer to http://www.oecd.org/env/.

ENV is looking for a scientific administrator to work with the Environment, Health and Safety Division in support of the activities on the testing and risk assessment of chemicals (including nanomaterials and advanced materials) overseen by the Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee. The selected candidate will report to the Head of the Environment, Health and Safety Division within the Environment Directorate and work under the general supervision of a Principal Scientific Administrator.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

• Assist in preparation of drafts of technical and policy documents, revise the drafts based on comments submitted by member countries and facilitate the consensus building;
• Facilitate the country commenting procedures and revisions of documents developed by intellectual service providers;
• Assist in the organisation of meetings, workshops and teleconferences of national experts, and prepare documentation for these events;
• Maintain an awareness of scientific developments relevant for the projects in order to take initiatives with respect to proposals for new work.
• Contribute to related safety activities of OECD’s Environment, Health and Safety Programme as a whole, especially with respect to risk assessment and management of chemicals (including nanomaterials, advanced materials, pesticides, biocides) and products of modern biotechnology.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic background

• An advanced university degree in chemistry, toxicology, ecotoxicology or biological sciences, environmental science, engineering, scientific policy development or other related topics.

Professional background

• At least two years of professional experience working on various aspects of the development or implementation of chemical risk assessment methodologies or related environmental assessment methodologies, acquired in national governments, agencies, research institutes, intergovernmental organisations or a combination of the above.
• Experience in health and environment policy related to management of chemical safety;
• Good knowledge of current methods for managing the risks of chemicals;
• Experience in working with committees and groups of experts, particularly in an international context, involving industry and non-governmental organisations, and in international consultations and negotiations would be an advantage.

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 1); Enable People (Level 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 1); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 1); 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.

Additional Information

Closing Date

• This vacancy should be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than 6 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Paris time).

Contract Duration

• 12 month or fixed-term appointment, with the possibility of renewal to a maximum of 36 months.

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

What the OECD offers

• Monthly salary starts at 5 279.34 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.