Programme Officer, Capacity Building at Ecowas Nigeria

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 Position: Programme Officer, Capacity Building

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Ref: ECW-COMM/REC/PA-P/004/2013
Duration: Twelve (12) months (renewable)

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the development of modules for mediation training;
• Organize workshops, seminars, conferences for mediation resources;
• Facilitate exchange programmes for mediation resources;
• Prepare policy papers and talking points for senior ECOWAS Officials on Mediation;
• Ensure linkages and coordination between the work of the Division and the overall strategy of the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, on conflict prevention;
• Provide substantive inputs into the operational activities of the Division, particularly for guiding the works of mediators deployed on the field;
• Assist in preparing statements, talking points, speeches and other documents for the Director of Political Affairs;
• Carry out any other assigned duty.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in the Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies or any other discipline related to mediation.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in dealing with mediation facilitation. Experience working with mediation tools, standards, instruments and mechanisms. Knowledge and expertise of the linkages between mediation, gender and women's issues would be an asset. A higher degree in the relevant field may substitute for two years of professional experience.
• Candidate should not be 50 years old or over at the point of recruitment and must be a citizen of one of the ECOWAS member states.
• Fluency in oral and written expression in any one of the ECOWAS working languages: English, French and Portuguese. Knowledge of a second official language (preferably French) would be an advantage.
• Professionalism Sound knowledge of the political, social, governance, economic, cultural and security environment/ developments in West Africa. Sound knowledge of and exposure to a range of mediation facilitation issues, to include approaches and techniques to address Track I, Track II and other forms of community-based conflicts.
• Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to conflict prevention and mediation.
• Ability to identify, evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the conflict management in the region.
• Communication- Strong communication (spoken, written and presentation) skills, including the ability to produce a variety of written reports in a clear, concise style, to deliver training presentations to external audiences, to build/maintain effective partnerships, to manage information and public information activities.
• Planning and Organizing Ability to establish priorities and to plan work assignments, juggle competing demands and supervisory tasks, and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.
• Technology Awareness -Good computer skills, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, other and relevant software packages.
• Teamwork Proven interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Application Closing Date
3rd May, 2013

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