Executive Director - ECOWAS Regional Competitive Authority (ERCA) 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: Executive Director - ECOWAS Regional Competitive Authority (ERCA) - D2

Job ref.: ECW/HR/06051929
Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Grade: D2
Status: Permanent
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Department: Trade, Customs & Free Movement of Persons
Agency: ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA)-Gambia
Directorate: Executive Director
Supervising: Director Operations; -Director Administration & Finance
Line Supervisor: Commissioner Trade Customs, Free movement and Tourism

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the Commissioner Trade Customs, Free movement and Tourism, the incumbent will manage the ECOWAS Regional competitive Authority, including but not limited to planning, coordination, organization, leading and supervision of all Programmes, Projects, Partner Relations, Funds, Personnel Management at the Authority.

Role and Responsibilities

• Plan and Coordinate annual goals, objectives, activities and budget tied to the Regional Competitive Authority’s strategies and targets;
• Establish and monitor goals achievement; negotiate suitable adjustments to goals and budgets;
• Implement performance-based budgeting within the Authority;
• Organize the Authority in an efficient way with clear reporting lines, minimal bureaucracy and optimal delegation of responsibilities and authority – organogram as approved by the Commission;
• Work with relevant Directorates to ensure efficient and effective services such as recruitment, action on performance decisions, promotions and related matters;
• Set standards of work and create mechanisms to monitor staff output and ensure that standards are maintained and deadlines met without compromising quality of work;
• Manage the system of setting individual performance planning and standards through available Performance Planning and Evaluation systems;
• Provide regular and prompt performance feedback to direct reports;
• Actively engaged in the development of staff to ensure skills are built to match plans, goals and existing structures of the Directorate;
• Create productive working atmosphere within the Authority to encourage staff participation;
• Provide direct technical guidance on programme design or implementation in competition; economic research analysis; legal investigation; compliance and enforcement;
• Represent ECOWAS in professional meetings or working groups; make speeches, negotiate agreements, mediate disputes;
• Lead or participate in technical missions to develop projects and programmes;
• Exercise oversight over all day-to-day operations of the Authority;
• Implement annual work programs and approved decisions.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university in a discipline related to the mandate of the organization and the position;
• 15 years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, law, business management, financial management , infrastructure, political affairs, conflict resolution, preventive diplomacy and/or peacebuilding in a senior leadership capacity with a minimum of 7 years’ experience working on issues related to the ECOWAS region; experience working with Member States and delegations in the context of international organizations; extensive experience in Programme and project planning, financing and oversight;
• Knowledge of policy and strategy development, change management and related issues, with broad geographical outcomes/impacts;
• Ability to lead the development, management/review of reports and papers on technical and policy issues;
• Knowledge of ECOWAS policies, management, administrative, budgetary and staffing systems, procedures and regulations;
• Progressive senior leadership experience in establishing strategic partnerships, working collaboratively and building consensus with multiple stakeholders on critical and/or complex issues.

Age Limit:

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

ECOWAS Key Competencies:

• Demonstrated passion and commitment to public service principles, values and ethics, and the practice of accountability in public sector management;
• Ability to inspire, motivate and engage others to solve problems and resolve conflicts, to modify leadership style, to meet situational requirements, and to lead successfully in uncertain and volatile environments; develops a culture where people hold themselves personally accountable for results;
• Exhibit consistency on actions, values, methods, confidentiality, ethics, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes which connotes a deep commitment to do the right thing for the right reason, regardless of the circumstances;
• Well-developed political acumen, superior judgement, tact and diplomacy to work with various interest groups and stakeholders, to influence/enlighten policy direction, to implement and promote adherence to governance principles, the regulatory environment and corporate vision, and to advance strategic priorities associated with the ECOWAS mandate;
• Ability to respect chain of command in an appropriate manner;
• Demonstrated ability to promote a balanced perspective on the organization’s leadership and governing body to keep ECOWAS mission, vision, and values at the forefront of employee decision making and actions;
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS mandate, strategic plan/priorities as well as the economic, political and social state/trends of member states, especially as pertains to own scope of work;
• Sound knowledge of change management concepts and approaches to enable the fulfillment of reforms and modernization initiatives, to mobilize people for change, energize transitions and to build sustainability;
• ability to conduct high-stakes negotiations with high-level clients while taking account of different stakeholder agendas, cultural norms, situational factors, ECOWAS interests; demonstrates the ability to partner with internal and external clients;
• Ability to identify and capitalize on synergies with other departments, specialized agencies, zonal duty stations and key actors and partners to achieve objectives;
• Demonstrates the ability to personally, commit to advancing ECOWAS goals for improved client services and stakeholder relations; assures appropriate measures are established to deliver client service excellence;
• Knowledge of member states future business requirements, balanced with an understanding of internal capacity, culture and climate;
• Leads and manages complex service agreements and strategic relationships with member states; leads and/or oversees new program and project activities;
• Understands diverse cultural views especially within west Africa, and sensitive to group differences; sees diversity as an opportunity, challenges bias and intolerance;
• Understanding of the ECOWAS organizational structure, workplace culture and its dynamics;
• Plays a leadership role in shaping the ethics, values and culture of the organization by consistently communicating and exemplifying them;
• Ability and passion to actively support diversity management policies and principles, act as role model and a champion and advocate of diversity policies and principles;
• Understands inclusion, the impact of unconscious bias, and how to manage and leverage differences; ability to make/apply the connection between diversity and innovation, and to oversee a talent system that remains inclusive, transparent, and well understood;
• Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
• Ability to identify roadblocks to principles of equity, fairness and transparency, to oversee diversity indicators for planning and program development and to create a workplace free of discrimination and harassment;
• Knowledge of ECOWAS institutions and specialized agencies, and how they interrelate as well as superior understanding of member countries, their social, economic and political opportunities and challenges, their cultural and geopolitical ties and shared common interests;
• Excellent knowledge of ECOWAS legal framework and approaches to policy development;
• Proven knowledge of the rules and procedures of ECOWAS, the implementation of which is necessary for the realization of goals, the establishment of sound internal controls as well as the monitoring and evaluation of programs, plans and policies;
• Sound knowledge of ECOWAS partnership agreements, sector programs and projects, procurement, financial and human resources policies and practices as well as internal reforms and capacity development initiatives;
• Ability to think creatively and innovating generating alternatives, visualizing new possibilities, challenging assumptions, and being open to additional information;
• Ability to prioritize action steps to stay focused on key objectives while handling multiple demands and competing priorities;
• Ability to make trade-offs/compromise while understanding the potential advantages and disadvantages of an idea or course of action;
• Ability to analyze reporting or working relationships between several departments’ agencies and institutions, and recognize areas of potential obstacle or challenges and produce solutions or alternatives to achieve strategic priorities;
• Ability to obtain information, opinions and recommendations from various sources to inform decisions, produce conclusions and to drive change;
• Continually working to broaden own knowledge and experience communicating with various stakeholders, partners and media to see connections and patterns across seemingly unrelated fields of knowledge;
• Communicates strategically, considering such aspects as optimal message timing, and form of communication; skillfully handles complex on-the-spot questions from others, such as senior public officials, special interest groups, citizens or the media;
• Communicates complex issues clearly and credibly with widely varied audiences using two-way communication to gain others’ input and understanding;
• Strategically builds networks and contacts to support ideas, initiatives and directives; ensures communication plans are developed and implemented so audiences are informed in a timely manner;
• 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;
• Ability to clearly articulate links between the organization’s strategy and the institution’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities; acts as a champion or sponsor of change programs and agendas;
• 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;
• Sound ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjust priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing tasks;
• Foresees risks and provide for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary and use time efficiently;
• Translates the strategic direction, including vision, mission and values into effective strategies; develops, leads and ensures meaningful communication of shared vision, values, mission and strategic direction to inspire and influence others; positions the organization to deal with emerging and long-term trends, issues and opportunities;
• Champions the development of proactive strategies and uses strategic alliances to extend organizational and ECOWAS impact;
• Establishes performance expectations, inspires excellence and recognizes performance; oversees the implementation and monitoring of performance management programs to ensure all employees meet performance expectations.

Annual Salary
UA 71,739.86 (USD 113,191.16)

Application Closing Date
7th July, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should Download and Complete the Application Form below and send to: [email protected]

Click here to download Application Form (Ms Word)