Information and Public Relations Officer at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) - 2 Openings

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: Information and Public Relations Officer

Job Code: 20003210
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Grade: P3/P4
Department: Office of the President
Status: Permanent
Directorate: Communication
Division: Natural Information and Communication
Line Supervisor: PPO Information and Communication

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the PPO Information and Communication, the incumbent shall manage and maintain handy information databases and web resources, and in addition, promote the reputation of ECOWAS and oversee Press Relations.
• He/she shall also be responsible for managing sensitisation and public outreach activities for ECOWAS Commission

Responsibilities

• Ensure a free flow of desirable information. Carry out image making activities and outreach.
• Build and nurture relationships with the publics. Engineer a relationship based, people-centered outreach to stakeholders on a continuous and sustainable basis.
• Work with digital resources to Identify and procure information which would be especially valuable for the projection of ECOWAS’ activities.
• Updating details of ECOWAS activities on the ECOWAS website and other social media platforms e.g Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Managing, collecting, collating, and maintaining the information of the ECOWAS website. Making sure that it is up to date with ECOWAS activities.
• Coordinating, Designing and production of ECOWAS weekly newsletter ECHOES of ECOWAS.
• Designing, Managing and Coordinating complex ECOWAS Adverts and Campaigns for ECOWAS events, sensitization programmes and other activities.
• Establish and developing the graphic charts to promote the identity of ECOWAS in all forms of publications.
• Design and format various ECOWAS information products, including reports, fact sheets, profiles, brochures, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Develop the ECOWAS website brand requirement and continuously monitor website layout to ensure compliance Be in charge of protection and enhancement of the reputation of ECOWAS through visible channels stemming from best practices.
• Ensure a horizontal engagement of reporters and editors including online/social media platforms to communicate the positive strides of ECOWAS based on the timely and adequate provision of information.
• Writing Press Releases and other Publications for ECOWAS meetings and conferences.
• Liaise with ECOWAS institutions and agencies to design products tailored to specific audiences.
• Coordinate the production and targeted dissemination of audio-visual materials and monitoring their broadcasting, as well as other electronic media coverage of ECOWAS, including the Internet.
• Perform any other duties as may be prescribed by exigencies of the job.

 Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, Mass Communication, Computer Science, Social Sciences, and any other related field from a recognized university.
• 5 years’ experience in Journalism, Communications and Public Relations.
• Knowledge in developing communication and information strategies and plans for internal and external communications.
• Ability to coordinate and manage complex communication campaigns and events.
• Ability to conceptualize and contribute to design communication campaigns that target and multicultural audiences.
• Proven knowledge of communication and the ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships.

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 instill 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 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 that 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 judgement, 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 and 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.

Annual Salary
UA49,106.81 / USD77,480.72 ; UA56,591.37 / USD 89,289.87.

Application Closing Date
15th May, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their correctly filled Application Form, Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Motivation letter to: b45infopubrelatofficer@ecowas.int 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.