Legal Advisor - Temporary

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 Energy Agency (IEA) is an intergovernmental organisation committed to advancing security of energy supply, economic growth and environmental sustainability through energy policy co-operation. The IEA operates as an autonomous body within the framework of the OECD. Both the IEA and the OECD seek opportunities to work with an increasing number of non-member countries of growing importance to the world economy. The Agency aims to foster the contribution of the energy sector to economic development and environmental sustainability.

Job Description

The IEA is recruiting a Legal Advisor (temporary) whilst a colleague is on parental leave (four months from early June 2026) to assist on legal matters, primarily relating to contracts (including relating to procurement and intellectual property matters), grants and general legal and institutional (internal and external) matters. The selected candidate will be part of the Office of the Chief Legal Counsel (OLC), comprised of a team of enthusiastic professionals, and will report to the Deputy Chief Legal Counsel.

Main Responsibilities

• Review, draft and/or negotiate a wide range of procurement contracts, intellectual property (IP) licences, collaboration agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements and other legal documentation. Ensure all contracts comply with applicable OECD and IEA internal rules, regulations, policies and procedures and cooperate with OECD colleagues in such respect.
• Advise internal clients in relation to contractual issues and related procedures, including those of a commercial, IP (in particular copyright and database rights), data protection/privacy, information technology (IT) law, artificial intelligence and digital security nature.
• Advise on legal and procedural issues in relation to grants (financial contributions to the IEA) including Official Development Assistance (ODA) grants and applicable internal rules impacting on grants; review, negotiate and draft documentation to obtain, implement and/or amend grants.
• Conduct legal research and analysis on a variety of topics, including by preparing or contributing to drafts of documents, presentations, briefs or guidance notes on public international law, institutional (internal and external) and/or procedural matters.
• Review and advise on Freedom of Information requests and other matters relating to information security.
• Assist to develop and implement new tools and guidance to build knowledge and enable efficiencies relating to legal, institutional and procedural matters.
• Assist on any other matters, as required.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• A university degree in Law in fields related to this job specification. Admission to practice law in one of the IEA’s Members and knowledge of the two main legal systems (civil and common law) would be an advantage.

Professional Background

• At least five years’ proven practical experience within a national government or an international organisation, private law firm or in-house in areas relevant to this job specification. 
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills (particulary in English).
• Experience identifying and analysing legal and risk-related issues and solutions that are pragmatic and legally sound.
• Experience conducting high-quality background research.
• Demonstrated ability to work both autonomously and in a small team environment, to develop strong working relationships with colleagues at all levels and from diverse cultures, to maintain high customer service quality and to manage competing and tight deadlines.

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.

Tools

• Excellent knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and Powerpoint, SharePoint etc) and proven ability to learn new systems rapidly and proficiency in formatting and structuring documents.

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 2); 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 .

Additional Information

Closing Date

• Applications should reach us no later than midnight Sunday, 26 April 2026 (Paris time).

Contract Duration

• 4 months with possibility of extension
• Ideal start date: End of May/Early June 2026

Salary Information

• Salary and conditions will depend on her/his status (temporary staff or official).
• For temporary staff, salary starts at 3,380 EUR. The Corporate Salary Framework for Temporary staff members can be found here .

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities. Temporary appointments are open to applicants irrespective of nationality. In accordance with OECD practice, priority will be given to candidates who are nationals of OECD Members, or, where applicable, to countries participating in the relevant programme or body.

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.