Careers - OECD

The OECD Young Associates Programme

The Young Associates Programme (YAP) is a two-year programme targeted at recent undergraduates who wish to gain a significant first professional experience in the world of multilateral policymaking, research and analysis. It is designed to act as a springboard for them to target future postgraduate study at top-ranked universities.

The following sections provide an overview of the Programme, including details on the eligibility criteria for candidates, salary and benefits package, and recruitment process.

Please note that we are currently working on the preparation of the 2023-2025 round of the Programme.
We will publish more information about open positions and selection process in early 2023.
Please keep an eye on this website for updates.

- Programme overview


The YAP is an exciting opportunity that offers professional experience at the cutting edge of public policy development and analysis. The YAP is a 24-month programme designed to expose recent undergraduates to a variety of research and analytical work on major policy areas.

The purpose of the Programme is to prepare outstanding undergraduates for their future postgraduate studies. As such, successful candidates must clearly articulate how they are motivated to use their experience at the OECD to pursue a Master’s degree or PhD following completion of the Programme.

A key component of the Programme is mentorship. During their two-year work at the OECD, the Young Associates will be closely mentored by their managers. Managers are therefore selected on the basis of their professional experience, policy expertise, and ability to work with, challenge, and develop young talented individuals. 

 

- Eligibility

Vacancies for the YAP 2022-2024 round have now closed. The below information shows the eligibility criteria for the current round for information purposes only.
Candidates must:

  • Hold a Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in the academic field related to the position(s) of interest (applications from candidates who already hold or are enrolled in a Master’s, PhD, or equivalent degree are not considered);
  • Hold a nationality of an OECD Member country. Applications from candidates who are not OECD Member country nationals are not considered;
  • Demonstrate overall academic achievement with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 out of a 4.0 scale (please see the GPA conversion tool); 
  • Show evidence of being able to work constructively in a team;
  • Have fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and a commitment to reach a good working level of the other;
  • Demonstrate the ability to contribute as a YA in the area of work, as well as demonstrate motivation to pursue a graduate degree in a relevant field after completing the Programme.

In addition, it is an asset if candidates:

  • Have undertaken research, written reports or thesis related to the work area of the YA position; 
  • Have extracurricular or work experience relevant to the YA position;
  • Demonstrate the required skills and competencies.


For more information on the OECD Young associates Programme please read the section on frequently asked questions.

 

- Salary and benefits


We offer:

  • A monthly salary of approximately 3,500 EUR, exempt from French income tax (deductions are made for health insurance coverage and leaving allowance contribution); and
  • A leaving allowance (in lieu of a pension contribution) of approximately 16,000 EUR based on a 24-month assignment.

In addition, YAs may be eligible for the following allowances as established by the Staff Regulations:

  • An expatriation allowance;
  • An installation allowance (equivalent to one month’s salary for single candidates);
  • The reimbursement of removal expenses and airline tickets to Paris and back to your home destination at the end of the Programme. 

 

- Selection process and timeline

 

Recruitment for the YAP 2022-2024 round:

  • 19 November 2021: YA positions are posted and applications (CVs and cover letters) are accepted through the OECD career website. Candidates may apply to more than one relevant YA position.
  • 19 December 2021: Deadline for submission of applications at 11:59 pm CET.
  • December 2021: Applications are screened, and retained candidates are contacted regarding the next steps.
  • December 2021 – February 2022: Candidates are assessed, which may take the form of an online aptitude test and video/phone interviews.
  • March - April 2022: Successful candidates in these assessments are invited for final interview and/or written assessment.
  • April 2022: Final selections are made and employment offers are sent to successful candidates. 
  • September 2022: Young Associates take up duty in Paris, France
  • (Note: The recruitment timeline may be subject to change, in which case relevant candidates participating in the recruitment process will be duly notified.) 

  

- Starting in your position

 

YAs selected for the 2022-2024 round will take up duty in September 2022 and will be based in Paris, France, unless determined otherwise, depending on the circumstances around Covid-19 and corporate guidelines.

As a Young Associate, you will work closely with a senior manager in tackling some of the most challenging social and economic issues of today. Your day-to-day work may involve background research, drafting, liaising with partners internally and externally, and helping organise events ranging from policy forums to Ministerial conferences. Throughout your work programme, the focus will be on developing the professional competences and research expertise to be able to succeed in highly competitive applications for graduate schools.  

 

- Policy areas and work streams (hosting departments)

 

Vacancies for the upcoming YAP 2022-2024 round are now closed. The following Directorates and special bodies will host Young Associates in the 2022 - 2024 round:

 

No.Directorate/Special BodyWork stream
1 Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE) Regions in Globalisation
2 Centre for Tax Policy and Administration (CTP) Financing Social Protection in Developing Countries through Tax Reform
3 Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs (DAF) Financial Markets and Sustainable Finance
4 Development Centre (DEV) Migration and Development
5 Directorate for Education and Skills (EDU) Preparing Schools for the Digital Age
6 Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs (ELS) Health System Resilience – Preventing Shortages of Essential Medicines and Medical Products
7 Statistics Directorate (SDD) New Indicators of International Trade in Services
8 Centre on Well-being, Inclusion, Sustainability and Equal Opportunity (WISE) Discrimination and its Broad Impacts on Society and the Economy

9 Trade and Agriculture Directorate (TAD) Trade, Agriculture and Fisheries

 

 Browse all departments and special bodies.

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 prohibits any form of discrimination, gender or otherwise, with regard to equal pay for equivalent work and professional development and promotion.

For questions, contact us at [email protected]    

 
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