Programme Officer, Regulatory Coordination at 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: Programme Officer, Regulatory Coordination

Job Code: 20003237
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Grade: P3/P4
Status: Permanent
Departement: Infrastructure, Energy & Digitalisation
Directorate: Digital Economy & Post
Division: Telecoms & Post Policy And Regulation
Line Supervisor: PPO Telecoms & Post Policy And Regulation

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the PPO Telecoms & Post Policy and Regulation, the Programme Officer Regulatory Coordination will facilitate the establishment of the common Telecommunication / ICT market in West Africa through the harmonization of ICT regulatory framework.

Role and Responsibilities

• Oversee the development of the regional legal and regulatory framework and its implementation in Member States with a view to promoting a telecommunication single market.
• Assess the situation in the Member States in line with the Postal and Telecommunications/ICT legal framework and coordinates the implementation strategy for the incorporation of ECOWAS Acts into national legislation.
• Review National Legislations and propose revisions where necessary in compliance with the objectives of the ECOWAS Acts
• Follow up on the implementation of ECOWAS Acts on Postal and Telecommunications/ICT at national level.
• Prepare reports including best practices of domestication of ECOWAS Acts by Member States for widespread dissemination at National and Regional levels.
• Identify, research and analyze trends in the telecommunications market and their possible effects on regulatory framework.
• Identify regulatory issues requiring the attention of ECOWAS Commission
• Assess the quality of ICT services and provide appropriate measures for improvement.
• Follow the evolution of the major regulatory trends in telecommunication/ICT sector.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent Degree in Telecommunication/ICT, Political Science, International Relations or a field relevant to specialized or focus area with Excellent knowledge in the areas of Telecommunication/ICT regulation
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in Telecommunications/ICT Regulation at a multi-lateral setting, regional or international organization, regulatory authority, or operator
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the history, political context and background of the policy area in a sector or field of operation (eg Telecommunications/ICT Regulation, etc) to assist in development and use of a sound evidence base policy formulation and implementation.
• Ability to understand and apply approaches, techniques and tools that draw on a wide range of inputs and improve the quality and pace of policy making.
• Extensive experience in West Africa.
• Good ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with telecommunications/ICT operators and regulators, government officials, professional associations in the telecommunication/ICT.
• Knowledge and understanding of key stakeholders in the policy area, such as: experts, interest groups, etc. and different country legislation in the focus area to assist in aligning ECOWAS policies with government legislation.

 Age Limit:

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

Ecowas Key Competencies:

• Ability to persuade/influence others to consider a certain point of view, adopt a new idea or implement new methods and practices.
• Ability to lead a team of trainees/junior staff and instil a spirit of teamwork to engage employees and achieve a well-defined set of activities.
• Ability to respect the chain of command in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to resolve challenges that occur with minimal direction and/or to recommend and explain solutions or alternatives for approval.
• Ability to utilize the Code of Ethics to manage self, others, information and resources.
• Ability to mentor others and create feedback loops with supervisors, colleagues and subordinates to build strong working relationships and improve performance.
• Contribute to maintaining the organizational unit’s performance goals and standards.
• Interpersonal skills with the ability to keep a client informed of progress or setbacks in projects of relevance to the timeline, quality and quantity.
•  Ability to proactively interact with clients and build strong trusting relationships based on mutual respect and regular discussions.
• Ability to establish and sustain professional credibility with clients/stakeholders in a manner that anticipates their needs mitigates issues and carefully balances professional obligations with the need to be sensitive and responsive to their needs.
• Ability to counsel, advise, consult and guide others on matters pertaining to assigned client service responsibilities and established client service standards.
• Demonstrate respect for cultural differences, fairness and ability to relate well with people from varied backgrounds, nationality, gender, ethnicity, race and religion.
• Understanding of diverse cultural views especially within West Africa, with sensitivity to group differences; ability to challenge bias and to practice tolerance and empathy.
• Ability to listen actively, consider people’s concerns and apply judgment, tact and diplomacy.
• ability to work in a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from diverse strengths.
• Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Ability to encourage, empower, and advocate for people in an unbiased and transparent manner.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS institutions, sectors, programmes and policies.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS internal operational requirements of programs, projects, services and systems required to achieve work assignments and meet performance goals.
• Knowledge of rules and procedures of ECOWAS associated assigned responsibilities and ability to explain these clearly to others.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS culture, structures and performance issues and priorities impacting assigned responsibilities.
• Knowledge of member states development trends, indicators, challenges and opportunities as it relates to project/programme assigned to own position.
• Ability to study data/information from a variety of sources, identify anomalies, trends and issues, present findings, and make recommendations.
• Ability to break down problems or processes into key parts to identify and solve gaps in service, quality assurance, compliance and performance targets.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply techniques to generate creative ideas and new approaches to meeting goals.
• Ability to use evidence and research to inform policies and programs and identify relevant and appropriate sources of information, including stakeholders, regional institutions and/or internal committees.
• Demonstrate operational computer proficiency using appropriate tools.
• Ability to make sound use of graphics and tables to effectively present numerical data to write semi-complex technical reports/proposals and edit/check templates, letters, etc.
• Ability to convey information clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner through both writing and verbal means.
• Exhibit interpersonal skills, make presentations, express opinions and debate ideas with others in a constructive manner.
• 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.
• Ability to develop, implement an individual action plan for achieving specific work goals.
•  Identify, organize and monitor tasks throughout to facilitate execution.
• Ability to contribute and/or lead on projects as per accepted project management standards and techniques, to co-ordinate contributions by others to set and meet deadlines.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, and work within timelines, giving attention to details, stakeholders, indicators and risks.
• Ability to identify, collect and assess indicators to monitor performance and to take proactive remedial action as required.

Salary
UA49,106.81 / USD77,480.72 - UA56,591.37 / USD 89,289.87 Annually.

Application Closing Date
6th March, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their correctly filled Application Form, Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Motivation letter to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Click here to download the application form (Docx.)

Note

• Female applications are encouraged.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications initially submitted with only the CV remain acceptable.
• ECOWAS does not charge a fee for recruitment and will not request for your account details.