Security Officer 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: Security Officer

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job Code: 20000229
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Grade: P2/P3
Department: Internal Services
Status: Permanent
Directorate: Administration & General Services
Division: Administration, Logistics & Maintenance
Line Supervisor: Logistics & Maintenance Officer

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the Logistics and Maintenance Officer, the incumbent shall plan the Security Architecture of the Commission, secure premises, and personnel by patrolling property; monitoring surveillance equipment; inspecting buildings, equipment, and access points; and permitting entry.

Role and Responsibilities

• Organize the deployment of personnel from other Security Agencies at the ECOWAS Commission, Annexes, and the Liaison Office Lagos.
• Carries out Security Survey to make adequate recommendations of the type of security equipment required.
•  In collaboration with the security agencies, conduct threat and risk assessments, as and when required, of operations in the locations, ensure projects are implemented, identifying and implementing appropriate risk mitigation measures.
• Assist the Supervisor in formulating a security plan for the Commission to include Community staff measures.
• Provide inputs and assist in establishing, maintaining, and updating the Commission-specific security and contingency plans.
• Perform all duties as an active member of the ECOWAS Security Unit.
• Assist the supervisor in facilitating business continuity preparedness.
• Assist the ECOWAS Security Unit in ensuring that staff of the Security Unit are provided with; and are proficient in the use of security equipment, including communication equipment’s, vehicle emergency equipment, and personal security safeguards required for work in the field.
• Establish internal communication systems ensuring that they are properly integrated into the ECOWAS communication systems.
• Provide advice on the selection and procurement of appropriate security equipment.
• Provide orientation and training to staff members on security guidelines, communication procedures etc.
• Assist the Supervisor in organizing security briefings for staff, draft regular Security and Travel Advisories, highlighting emergency procedures and existing restrictions in movement curfews, restricted and dangerous areas.
• Support training courses on security issues/awareness and preparedness.
• Implement decisions agreed at security management meetings.
• Supervising private security guards attached to the Commission and assisting in the management of the security contract.
• Coordinate armed backup and escort duties for staff members and statutory appointees, including Travel Security.
• Prepare and maintain records on all security-related issues at all facilities of the Commission.
• Conducting basic security investigations.
• Perform any tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational and Security Management, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or any related field from a recognized University. specialized training in safety and security is desirable.
• 3 years of progressively responsible experience with a Security organization (Governmental or Non-Governmental), Military or Paramilitary service.
• Experience in protocol, public information, Intelligence, external relations, or any related area.
• Knowledge and use of firearms, surveillance cameras, etc.
• Familiarity with security administration, policies and procedures related to safeguarding of human lives and properties and procedures in a governmental or international organization.
• Professional certification in Security Studies (Counterterrorism, Intelligence, or related fields) and/or membership in an Industrial or Corporate Security Association will be an added advantage.
• Excellent knowledge of public safety and security procedures/protocols
• Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and guidelines related to securing personnel, facilities, and information, including the requirements for handling, transporting, and protecting classified information and proper reporting of security incidents.
• Knowledge of weaponry, and intelligence operations, public safety, and security operations; occupational health and safety.

Age Limit:

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

Ecowas Key Competencies:

• Ability to lead in the execution of tasks, contacting colleagues and contributors as needed making decisions to ensure tasks are completed as expected.
• Ability to guide own work by setting and monitoring goals with strong personal initiative and commitment to ECOWAS.
• Ability to model and advocate for compliance, good work ethics, flexibility, and persistence to get job done coupled with an ability to influence positive teamwork and cooperation.
• Ability to lead small teams to carry out semi-routine work including assigning work, training, and checking work.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to engage with clients in positive exchanges that establishes mutual expectations and understandings and reduces uncertainties and conflicts.
• Ability to keep a client informed on matters of relevance to expectations, establishing “bring forward” systems and introducing other procedures/techniques to ensure that service standards are maintained.
• Ability to make decisions based on guidelines, procedures and precedents and maintain confidentiality and discretion with clients/stakeholders.
• Good judgement and demonstrated ability to be assertive – rather than passive or aggressive when interacting with clients.
• Well-developed problem-solving, critical thinking and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to perceive the moods and feelings of others, and to understand the attitude, interests, needs, and perspectives of others.
• Well-developed ability to relate well with people from varied backgrounds, open to understanding diverse cultural differences especially within west Africa.
• Ability to listen attentively to people’s ideas, requests, and concerns and to explain to others the need for diversity management in everyday workplace practices.
• Ability to factor in diversity when providing services, responding to requests, recognizing and releasing preconceived notions and stereotypical views of certain groups and individuals.
• Basic understanding of the ECOWAS organization mandate and its functions.
• Ability to explain the functional area assigned to and the contributions it makes to the organization and its mandate.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS semi-routine procedures, processes, and practices as it relates to assigned responsibilities and information systems.
• Ability to apply ECOWAS standards in emailing, reporting, correspondence, etc. and to contribute to implementing associated changes as directed.
• Ability to carefully review and check the accuracy of information in work reports provided by management, management information systems or other individuals.
• Good knowledge of office monitoring indicators of relevance to own work (e.g. travels, purchases, accounts, meetings, etc.) and ability to provide brief reports or updates.
• Ability to edit, check, track and review documents prepared by others and reorganize data or information according to instructions using latest technology.
• Efficiently retrieves, inputs, edits, formats, transmits, and links electronic file data used for analysis and understands basic data management operations.
• Ability to condense information and/or produce concise summary notes to help others with decision-making, problem solving and/or assessment work.
• Proficiency communicating orally and in writing in English and French or Portuguese languages.
• Demonstrated computer skills to communicate using tools such as email, Skype, word processing, excel, social media, etc. and to write and format documents appropriately for presentation, the web, proposals, reports, and other documents.
• Ability to proofread, edit and revise documents to ensure documents are grammatically correct, follow standard conventions for punctuation and mechanics and formatted in accordance with ECOWAS communication standards.
• Ability to relay/redirect complete and accurate messages to appropriate persons/departments.
• Fluency in one of the three ECOWAS official languages (English, French & Portuguese)
• Ability to organize information or materials for others, solving minor problems and checking for completeness and compliance to standards or instructions.
• Knowledge of techniques to prioritize tasks in fast paced workplace with frequent interruptions and moving deadlines and adaptability/ flexibility to meet work expectations.
• Understanding and adherence to the policies, procedures and guidelines required to support the ECOWAS planning cycle at the individual and organizational level.
• Good initiative with an ability to identify what needs to be done and act before being asked or required to.

Salary
USD 67,713.70 - USD77,480.72 annually

Application Closing Date
15th May, 2024.