Director - Surveillance Disease and Control 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 Regional Centre for Surveillance Disease and Control

Ref.: ECW/HR/08051936
Location: Abuja,Nigeria
Grade: D1
Department: Office of the Director General
Institution: West African Health Organisation (WAHO)
Agency: Regional Centre for Surveillance Disease and Control
Type of Contract: Four (4) Years Term, renewable for a final term
Line Supervisor: Director General, WAHO
Directorate: Regional Centre for Surveillance Disease and Control
Supervising: P.P.O, Surveillance & Early Warning, P.P.O, Laboratory Services, P.P.O, Health Emergency & Disaster Management, Head, Administration & Finance, Relevant “Seconded” Staff, eg from Africa CDC

Role Overwiew

• Under the supervision of the Director General of WAHO, under the control of the Governing Board and in accordance with the rules of procedures, the Executive Director shall be responsible for the overall management of the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control programmes with a view to curbing epidemics and disease outbreak in the region.
• S/he will provide technical assistance to ECOWAS Member States in strengthening their capacities for more efficient control and prevention of diseases and other emergencies through strengthened disease surveillance and rapid response to emergencies and put in place tested mechanisms to respond to emergencies when they arise.

Role and Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the Center’s strategic framework ;
• Develop an action plan for the implementation of the strategic plan;
• Lead the development of the Center’s Annual Plan;
• Monitor the Implementation of the annual work programmes and approved decisions;
• Control the financial expenditure of the Centre;
• Validate the statement of income and expenditure;
• Submit regular financial reports to WAHO;
• Submit annual activity reports to WAHO;
• Encourage research and human capital development;
• Align the Centre’s activities with that of Africa CDC;
• Liaise with the Director of Africa CDC and the Heads of Member States’ NCIs/NPHIs
• Perform any other duty as might be assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Master's degree in Medicine, Public Health, Epidemiology or Health Sciences of equal relevance from a recognized university;
• 12 years of professional experience in Public Health including at least 6 years of relevant international work and 5 years at a supervisory level;
• Technical experience in disease surveillance/laboratory services and response preparedness;
• Knowledge of principles and practices of epidemics and health emergencies management;
• Ability to develop health programme frameworks;
• Knowledge of health emergencies, disaster management, early warning and laboratory services issues ;
• Experience in the implementation of surveillance and disease control strategies;
• Experience in management and implementation of complex public health programs;
• Experience in national and international deployment of multidisciplinary health investigation teams;
• Experience of public health work in Africa will be an advantage

Age Limit:

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

ECOWAS Key Competencies:

• 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.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS mandate, strategic plan/priorities as well as the economic, political and social state/trends of member states, as pertains to own scope of work;
• 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;
• 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 respect chain of command in an appropriate manner;
• 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 others 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 andfree 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 sensitiveand 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 challenges 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 impactand makerecommendations;
• 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 make informed assertions, decisions or recommendations;
• 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;
• Excellent negotiation and conflict management skills focusing on building and nurturing effective and collaborative relationships;
• Computer literate and 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 advantage.
• Ability to prepare plans, set clear objectives in a consistent manner and have effective oversight of performance management practices to ensure that 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 implement plans, mobilize/engage people, identify critical success factors, mitigate risks, monitor indicators and feedback, initiate corrective measure and build 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 81,435.54 / USD 128.488.99

Application Closing Date
12th July, 2019.

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

Click here to download Application Form (Ms Word)