Programme Officer, Public Relation and ICT 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, Public Relation and ICT

Job Code: 20000699
Location: Ouagadougou, Burkinafaso
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Grade: P3/P4
Status: Permanent
Agency: Water Resources Management Centre
Department: Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the Director of the Centre, the incumbent shall carry out all activities related to Information Technology and Public Relation, within the Water Resource Management Centre (WRMC).

Roles & Responsibilities

• Oversee and ensure full functionality and day-to-day operation of computer networks including hardware/software support, training, and special projects, maintaining security, privacy and integrity of data, information systems, communication lines, and IT equipment.
• Ensure repairs and maintenance of all IT hardware and software applications of WMRC are conducted on a regular basis to guarantee full and optimal functionality of the systems. Diagnose and implement solutions to resolve hardware failures, network operating system problems and other local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) systems related malfunctions. Implement security, backup, and recovery of Databases.
• Monitor and analyze network loads, including traffic and utilization trends, and identify and propose improvement measures. Prepare presentations, charts, and graphic illustrations to familiarize and train LAN and WAN users with network operations and effective use.
• Identify, propose, and implement, in close collaboration with the Director and the ECOWAS ICT Directorate, all measures and solutions required to guarantee the optimal efficiency and maintenance of network infrastructure and servers and anticipate and resolve growth and/or technology related challenges.
• Support the Director by identifying, proposing, and implementing agreed IT and Public Relation strategies and actions plan to support the overall goals of WRMC; Identify and prioritize IT and Public Relation needs for future financial years and provide technical reports as required to ensure proposed solutions are implemented and/or risks understood and accepted.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor the WRMC web site, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Communications and Capacity Building and facilitate implementation of identified improvement measures or modifications; maintain the WMRC Observatory for Water Resource.
• Provide technical, operational, and advisory support to WMRC staff on issues pertaining to IT.
• Oversee the purchase and installation of complex, high value, networking hardware such as switches, routers, and bridges, ensuring compliance with ICT and corporate policies. Assist with identification of vendors and service providers of IT equipment and prepare relevant technical specifications for acquisition of equipment and software supplies.
• Other relevant duties assigned by the Director.

Academic Qualification & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Electronic Engineering or other relevant field in Engineering (or equivalent) with good knowledge in Public Relation field and development.
• At least 5 years post-qualification experience in the field of IT and Public Relation, preferably in the ECOWAS region.
• Work experience in a regional/international organization in a related capacity will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience working with web content management systems (Drupal, WordPress, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multinational environment as well as with a diverse group of people and organizations at the national, regional, and international levels.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated capacity to prioritize activities and deliver results in a timely manner, without compromising on the high standards of the institution.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle politically and culturally sensitive issues.
• Knowledge of networking and ability to install and configure routers and switches (Cisco, Juniper, Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei, etc.). A professional qualification in CCNA or CCNP would be an advantage.
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot Windows Server Operating Systems.
• A knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), web Enterprise GIS or other GIS Server/Client software (Geoserver, ArcGIS, Quantum GIS, etc.) will be an added advantage.
• Other professional qualifications such as Microsoft MCITP server administration, MCTS Exchange Server, and VCA-DCV will be considered an advantage.

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 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 the subordinates to build strong working relationships and improve performance.
• Contribute to maintaining organizational unit’s performance goals and standards.
• Interpersonal skills with ability to keep a client informed of progress or setbacks in projects of relevance to 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 need, 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/program 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.

Annual Salary

• UA39,738.72 / USD62,699.75 - UA46,539.98 / USD73,430.77.

Application Closing Date
15th May 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.