Programme Officer - Traditional Medicine at the 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.

The West African Health Organisation is seeking applications from suitably qualified ECOWAS Citizens candidates to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme Officer - Traditional Medicine

Reference: VN 85
Location: WAHO, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Number of Position: 01
Grade: P4/01
Department: Primary Health Care
Nature of Contract: Permanent

Summary of Post and Assigned Duties

• The Professional Officer for Traditional Medicine will lead and effectively coordinate the Traditional Medicine Programme to support the ECOWAS Member States to integrate it their health systems.
• The incumbent shall be required to consolidate the gains made and introduce other innovative activities, particularly in the areas of harmonization of national policies and regulatory frameworks, development of training tools for traditional medicine practitioners and other health professionals, promotion of dialogue between the practitioners of Traditional Medicine and conventional medicine, promotion of research and development of plant medicines, conservation of medicinal plants and protection of indigenous knowledge.
• The incumbent must have a good knowledge of the health situation in the ECOWAS region in particular.

Mains Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Director, Primary Health Care, the incumbent shall perform the following duties:

• Assist WAHO to consolidate the gains made in its traditional medicine promotion effort.
• Continue to support the Member States to promote rational Traditional Medicine practices for its integration into their national health systems.
• Continue to promote strategies for the development of national policies, legal frameworks and codes of conduct for the practice of Traditional Medicine.
• Continue to encourage the inclusion of Traditional Medicine in undergraduate courses for healthcare providers, particularly medical schools.
• Encourage the development of structured training programmes in Traditional Medicine.
• Encourage the creation of Traditional Medicine practitioners’ associations for effective implementation of national and regional policies.
• Continue the compilation of inventories of medicinal plants of proven efficacy.
• Establish an effective and sustainable network of West African scientists to undertake research in Traditional Medicine.
• Continue to encourage local production of evidence-based Traditional Medicine products, and work with Member States and other technical units to ensure the registration and inclusion of some in the national essential drug lists. 
• Continue to promote dialogue between practitioners of Traditional Medicine and other health professionals and scientists.
• Undertake resource mobilization (technical and financial) activities to support the Member States to integrate Traditional Medicine into their national health systems.
• Continue to collaborate with key regional and global partners engaged in Traditional Medicine promotion.
• Plan and organize workshops, seminars, training and professional development programmes for Traditional Medicine practitioners.
• Pursue ongoing efforts to conserve medicinal plants by the establishment of botanical gardens and protection of intellectual property rights.
• Work with allied professionals in other Divisions to undertake related tasks.

Qualifications and Experiences
Candidates must have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Medicine, Complementary/Alternative Medicine (e.g. Phytotherapy), Biochemistry, Public Health, Natural Science, Anthropology, Pharmacy from a recognized university.
• At least a Masters’ degree in complementary/alternative medicine (e.g. phytotherapy), biochemistry, public health, natural science, anthropology, pharmacy from a recognized university will reduce number of experience by 2 years.
• Experience in managing or coordinating Traditional Medicine programmes at the national level.
• At least seven (7) years of progressive experience at the national and international levels in Traditional Medicine, particularly in herbal medicine research and practice.
• A very good knowledge of the health situation in the ECOWAS region.
• Excellent management skills, including networking and alliance building.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation and advocacy skills and demonstrable technical knowledge in traditional medicine.
• Ability to write grant proposals.
• Ability to organize, supervise and manage a multidisciplinary scientific team.
• Proven leadership qualities, ability to work in a team, and with high-level professionals such as clinicians, traditional medicine practitioners, research scientists, programme managers and policy makers.
• Demonstrable ability to foster partnerships and collaborate effectively with implementing partners.
• Ability to work under pressure and show respect within a multicultural and multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in designing and planning health programs.

Age and Citizenship:

• Candidates must not be more than 50 years of age at the time of recruitment and must be an ECOWAS citizen.

Language proficiency:

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of one of the official languages of ECOWAS (English, French or Portuguese) and a working knowledge of one other would be an advantage.

Salary
28.499 UA per annum.

Application Closing Date
2nd April, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications to: potraditionalmedecine@ecowas.int

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