Communication 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: Communication Officer

Job Code: 20000655
Location: Dakar, Senegal
Grade: P3
Line Supervisor: Director, EGDC

Role Overview

• The Communication Officer under the direct supervision of the Director of the EGDC will be responsible for creating, implementing, and overseeing communication strategies, as well as managing various communication channels.
• The Communication Officer will ensure the maintenance of a positive public image for the EGDC, enhancing brand awareness, and facilitating internal and external communication.
• Ensuring clear, coherent, and consistent communication about the strategic focus and activities of the EGDC.

Role and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication strategies that will ensure the EGDC, effectively communicates its messages to internal and external stakeholders.
• Create communication plans, write, and edit content for various communication channels, and work with other units to ensure consistency in messaging.
• Manage communication channels including social media, websites, newsletters, and other communication tools.
• Monitor and respond to feedback and track metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts.
• Participate in research and ensure the monitoring of information on communication products.
• Ensure the planning, coordination, and control of Communication activities of the Centre.
• Ensure internal and external visibility of the actions and results of EGDC.
• Contribute to the definition, development, and implementation of communication plans and strategies.
• Building relationships with stakeholders: This may involve developing partnerships, managing media relations, and representing the organization at events and conferences.
• Contribute to content and design of various publications.
• Implement successfully, public awareness campaigns on the Institution’s activities.
• Ensure periodic efficient reporting on activities implemented and the results to the Director.
• Ensure the collection of information from various sources including the analysis of current issues and assess their potential impact.
• Identify and propose topics for the information bulletin, data sheets, public announcements or press releases, and other promotion tools.
• Participate in the sensitization activities of the Institution in the region.
• Ensure the promotion of partnerships with civil society, particularly the media.
• Draft speeches of the Director.
• Support the Institution’s relations with national Units and other partners.
• Perform other tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Public Relations, Mass Communication, or related field from a university of recognized standing.
• 5 years of responsible experience in implementing communication plans, in Journalism, Strategic Communications, Public Information, or International Relations.
• Depth knowledge of ECOWAS policy, strategy, and guidelines for internal communications.
• Ability to coordinate and manage complex communication campaigns and events.
• Ability to conceptualize and contribute to the design of communication campaigns that target larger audiences.
• Proven knowledge of communication and public relations 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.

Salary
USD68,499.59 Annually.

Application Closing Date
15th May, 2024.