Principal Programme Officer, Analysis at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region. Considered one of the pillars of the African Economic Community, the organization was founded in order to achieve collective self-sufficiency for its member states by creating a single large trading bloc through an economic and trading union. It also serves as a peacekeeping force in the region. The organization operates officially in three co-equal languages French, English, and Portuguese.

We are currently recruiting for the position below:

Job Title: Principal Programme Officer, Analysis

Department: Political Affairs, Peace and Security
Directorate: Early Warning
Grade: P5
Supervisor: Director, Early Warning
Reference: ECW-COMM/REC/EWD-P/001/2014
Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director, Early Warning Directorate, the job holder will be required to conduct a range of professional & technical duties such as:

• Identification and implementation of programmes relating to ECOWAS Protocols and policies.
• Preparation of documentation for political decision-making.
• Identification and follow-up on sources of funding.

He /She will also

• Assist in monitoring for analysis, the security situation in the sub-region in association with CSOs.
• Collect and update data provided by CSOs and field monitors or any other partner.
• Participate in formulating recommendations for policy decision.
• Coordinate tasks assigned to the units within his / her division.
• Coordinate and manage analysis activities within the situation room.
• Perform any other tasks assigned.

Qualifications/Experience/Skills

• A Bachelor of Science degree in any of the Social Sciences: Law, Political Science, Arts or Business Administration or its equivalent plus a minimum of ten (10) years relevant professional experience or a higher degree in any of these disciplines plus eight (8) years relevant professional experience.
• Competencies (Skills, Knowledge and Abilities)
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office Tools such as Word, Excel, Ms Power Point, Access.
• Excellent oral and written communication skill in English / French / Portuguese with a good working knowledge of the second official language.
• Encouraging Innovation and Managing Change: Commitment to challenging the status quo and look for new and better ways of delivering the objectives. Apply interpretative and creative thinking in relation to the scope of Programmes and demonstrate a proactive and enthusiastic approach to embedding this in practice. Able to adapt and deal with situations and manage expectations during periods of change, especially in the eyes of the stakeholders and can take account of the broader perspective and how it affects the individual Projects and wider Programme priorities
• Working Together: Able to create a shared sense of purpose and commitment amongst the disparate members of Project teams through networking and sharing best practice across the Programmes. Able to secure active stakeholder management/ownership of the Programme and broker relationships at all levels. Can demonstrate the sensitivities required to balance and resolve the tensions in working with a wide range of contacts (both internally and externally at senior levels) and preserve the Programme’s key objectives through effective consultation and negotiation to achieve the right perspective and the required outcomes.
• Achieving and Improving: Can take personal responsibility for successful management of Centre’s programmes and for ensuring these are focussed on delivery of set objectives. Actively co-ordinate each programme, the relationship with other programmes and the interface to Centre’s mandate. Understanding of budgetary control and resource allocation procedures. Maintains a key strategic focus by effectively identifying, analysing and prioritising risks/issues external to the Programme and reconciling these with internal priorities. Provide delegated authority, as required, to ensure the Programme meets its objectives and achieves the right balance between quality, time, cost and risk. Can challenge where necessary to continuously improve working methods, systems and processes.
• Communicating Effectively: Able to effectively represent the Centre’s objectives and explain its purpose/benefits to the ECOWAS community clearly and positively to internal and external customers/stakeholders. Able to demonstrate an understanding of the broader and strategic context of Programmes and be able to interpret, influence and apply that into effective outcomes. Persuade stakeholders/customers to accept a particular way forward, sometimes dealing with resistance and negotiating to reach an agreed way forward.
• Leading and Managing Others: Effectively deploy leadership qualities and management skills to ensure that Programmes stay on track. Able to effectively draw upon the various skills and talents of different people both within and outside the Programme Implementation team to achieve programme deliverables. Communicate a clear vision of the future direction and role of Programmes Implementation and provide constructive and positive support when things go wrong so that lessons can be learned and improvements made. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the principles of managing people by valuing diversity and encouraging and supporting staff.

Age
Candidates should not be more than 50 years old at the point of recruitment and must be citizens of one of the ECOWAS member states.

Language
Must be fluent in one of the official languages of the Commission; English, French and Portuguese. A working knowledge of another would be an advantage.

Remuneration
Annual Salary: USD 52,273 - USD 59,100

Application Closing Date:
29th September, 2014

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online