Director, ECOWAS Gender Development Center 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Director, ECOWAS Gender Development Center

Job ref.: ECW/HR/26031917
Location: Dakar / Senegal
Grade: D1
Status: Permanent
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Department: Social Affairs And Gender
Agency: ECOWAS Gender Development Centre
Line Supervisor: Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender
Supervising: Administration and Finance Division, Programme Division, Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Division

Role Overview

• The EGDC Director serves as the legal representative of the Centre, with overall responsibility to provide strategic direction, innovative leadership and ensure the effective management of the Centre.

Role and Responsibilities

• Monitor and consolidate these strategies for the effective mobilization and development of women in the ECOWAS Region;
• Periodically carry out needs assessment strategies for women empowerment in Member States and on these outcomes, design appropriate training, advocacy and research programmes on gender issues;
• Maintain a functional and pro-active Gender Centre;
• As the key administrative and accounting officer of the Centre, effectively manage the human capital and material resources of the Centre;
• Contribute strongly to the success of the Centre through the formulation of strategies to enhance and mainstream gender issues within the framework of ECOWAS mission;
• Champion the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Protocol to the African Charter onHuman and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, NEPAD policies and programmes and other gender-related commitments, and work in collaboration with partners on gender programmes and projects in the ECOWAS region;
• Undertake any other duty assigned by the superiors.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Gender Studies, Sociology, Economics, other Social Science or related field from a recognized university;
• 12 years of professional experience in socio economic development, policy analysis, programme management, social research or related area, including 6 years relevant international work and 5 years at a supervisory level;
• Knowledge of women and gender issues, principles and concepts of gender equality, empowerment and gender mainstreaming in relation to government, the private sector, civil society and international organizations;
• Knowledge of ECOWAS region and member countries, including the political, economic and social dimensions and the ability to effectively define gaps, build sectoral networks and partnerships, develop proposals and mobilize resources required to meet social and economic needs and gender operational goals and strategic priorities;
• Knowledge of member States’ institutional frameworks, mandates, policies and strategies on gender and development;
• Demonstrated skill and experience in gender mainstreaming in policies, strategies and programs. 

Age Limit:

• Be below 50 years old. This provision does not apply to internal candidates.

ECOWAS Key Competencies

• Recent and progressive senior leadership experience in establishing strategic partnerships, working collaboratively and building consensus with multiple internal and/or external stakeholders on complex issues in a multi-disciplinary governmental or international organization;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Heads of Institutions, elected officials and statutory employees to facilitate compliance, build engagement, resolve conflicts and obtain support for change; 
• Ability to provide leadership, management, and technical oversight for all project activities and program    deliverables in accordance with ECOWAS legal and administrative practices and standards;
• Ability to conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with the ECOWAS performance management system and to mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork;
• Ability to oversee project management, internal controls and stewardship of financial resources and to address issues in a confident and capable manner whilst making decisions that exemplifies impartial and non-partisan decision-making;
• Ability to exercise the initiative and resourcefulness necessary for simultaneously addressing a variety of stakeholder needs, pursuing multiple tasks and achieving positive outcomes;
• Ability to create synergies with client groups and other to achieve objectives in setting and monitoring service standards and indicators;
• Ability to motivate and engage others in promoting or adopting best practices in client services;
• Ability to identify and improve services and client interactions through appropriate networks and to create innovative ways of addressing these in an accountable and transparent manner;
• Knowledge of anti-discriminatory/human rights regulatory environment and ability to advance strategies to foster an inclusive working environment and healthy organization respectful of  cultural diversity and gender equality and  free from harassment and discrimination;
• Understanding of diverse cultural views especially within West Africa, being sensitive to group differences, gender issues and ability to contribute to, advocate for, and/or develop policies which are gender sensitive  and responsive to various cultures;
• Ability to foster a diverse and inclusive interactive work environment that can effectively bring together a wide spectrum of ideas and experiences to solve problems, develop projects/programs and improve results;
• Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
• Ability to remain objective in managing conflict regardless of cultural differences /positions, gender differences, and encourage other staff to overcome cultural and gender bias and differences;
• Understanding of the ECOWAS organizational structure, workplace culture and dynamics;
• Ability to apply knowledge of ECOWAS legal framework, strategic priorities and operational standards to develop/modernize policies and programs and/or to implement policies and programs in a sustainable and effective manner;
• Well-developed business, social and political acumen, demonstrating a strong commitment to the vision and mandate of ECOWAS coupled with a broad knowledge of the economic, political and social situations and trends in member states;
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills on matters relating to policy and strategy development important to the realization of the ECOWAS mandate and the improvement of outcomes for member states;
• Ability to analyze reports as well as socio-economic and institutional dynamics  and recognize areas of potential obstacles or challenge and develop innovative solutions or alternatives to address barriers and achieve strategic/operational priorities;
• Ability to anticipate and interpret the effects of environmental changes (social, economic and political),and its impact  and make  recommendations;
• Ability to identify/address strengths and weaknesses, stimulate creativity, reduce resistance to change and improve the achievement of strategic objectives;
• Ability to make prudent decisions relating to the management of human, financial and material resources;
• Ability to actively listen and understand perspectives of others to inform assertions, decisions or recommendations;
• Ability to build multiple external collaborative relationships to support strategic and operational objectives; identify the key issues and accommodate the key players with well thought out communication and stakeholder management plans;
• Ability to communicate with clarity and conviction, make compelling presentations which promotes new insights, ideas and perspectives and a better understanding of issues and challenges;
• Exhibit active listening skills to encourage stronger communication amongst  team members, to show care and make them feel valued and to  drive employee engagement in all institutions and agencies;
• Excellent negotiation and conflict management skills focusing on building and nurturing effective and collaborative relationships;
• Proficiency in  information communication technologies(ICT);
• Fluency in oral and written expressions in one of the ECOWAS official languages of the Community (English, French & Portuguese). Knowledge of an additional one will be an added advantage;
• Superior planning skills exemplified by setting clear expectations and conducting consistent and effective oversight of performance management practices to ensure goals and standards are met;
• Ability to set effective goals/results and manage change in a manner that demonstrates resilience, composure and a positive outlook in an environment of uncertainty and ambiguity;
• Ability to enable the development of organizational and individual talent throughout the implementation of strategic, operational, programme, project and individual plans;
• Ability to implement plans, mobilizing/engaging people, identifying critical success factors, mitigating risks, monitoring indicators and feedback, initiate corrective measure and building capacities for sustainability;
• Ability to institute rigorous monitoring, and evaluation practices and to learn from setbacks and mistakes to ensure continuous improvement.

Annual Salary
UA 69,552.34 (USD 109,739.69)

Application Closing Date
28th June, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications to: [email protected]

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