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.

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

To be eligible, you must:

• Hold a Bachelor’s or equivalent degree (no earlier than March 2019 for individuals applying to the YAP 2020-22 Round). Candidates may not hold or be enrolled in a Master’s, PhD, or equivalent degree by the time you join the OECD;
• Hold a nationality of an OECD Member country;
• Demonstrate a record of strong academic achievement; (see GPA conversion table)
• 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; and
• Demonstrate high motivation to pursue a graduate degree in a relevant field after completing the Programme and explain how the YAP will help achieve this.

In addition, it would be an asset if you also have undertaken prior:

• Course work in OECD-related subjects (e.g. economics, statistics, public policy, etc.);
• Extracurricular or work experience in an OECD-related field (e.g. research projects); and/or
• International studies and/or work experience.

Salary and benefits

We offer:

• A monthly salary of approximately 3,400 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 

• YA postions will be posted online in November 2019.
• Applications will be screened in December 2019, and retained candidates will be contacted regarding the next steps by early January 2020.
• Candidates will thereafter be assessed, which may take the form of a an online aptitude test and video/phone interviews in February.
• Successful candidates after these assessments will be invited for panel interviews and/or written assessment, with the final selection made around the end of March 2020.

Starting in your position

YAs selected for the 2020-2022 -round will take up duty in September 2020 and will be based in Paris, France.

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)

Directorates hosting Young Associates in 2020-2022 and focused work programmes:

Browse all departments and special bodies.

Candidates can apply for more than one Young Associate position; however, please note that the skills and backgrounds sought for each position are key to the policy area or work stream. Candidates are encouraged to apply to positions that are aligned to their profiles.

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 Youngassociate@oecd.org.