Programme Officer, Promotion of Industry 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, Promotion of Industry

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job Code: 20003537
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Grade: P3/P4
Department: Economic Affairs & Agriculture
Status: Permanent
Directorate: Industry
Division: Industry Development and Technology
Line Supervisor: PPO Industry Development and Technology

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the PPO Industry Development and Technology, the incumbent shall support the formulation, implementation and evaluation of projects and programs related to the industrial sector, especially on Technology Upgrading. The Programme Officer, Promotion of Industry and Technology Upgrade shall contribute to support the acceleration of the industrialization process in West Africa through the promotion of industrial transformation of local raw materials; development and diversification of industrial productive capacity, upgrading of technologies and practices, as well as deepening regional integration in the region.

Role and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the implementation of the West African Common Industrial Policy (WACIP 2010-2030) and its strategy framework.
• Support the harmonization of industrial policy measures and strategies in the region to promote balanced socioeconomic development.
• Collaborate with Member States and development partners to strengthen institutional frameworks for industrial development.
• Support collaboration and partnerships to develop capacities of Member States towards expanding their industrial base and promoting technology upgrading.
• Support the promotion of local raw material development and utilization by industries, thereby encouraging the development of resource-based industries in ECOWAS.
• Support the upgrading of key actors in targeted industrial value chains and technology transfer at the regional level and in Member States.
• Support the promotion of technology transfer and industrial research and development programs.
• Collaborate with relevant national, regional, continental, and global institutions in the development of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and access to knowledge.
• Contribute to technology upgrading and monitoring of industrial performance through establishing an ECOWAS Industrial Database.
• Collaborate with development partners and support initiatives related to industrial restructuring and technology upgrading programs in ECOWAS.
• Within the framework of the WACIP, support the development and formulation of technical cooperation concepts, projects, and programs related to industrial and technology upgrading.
• Support the PPO Industry Development and Technology in day-to-day operational work and management of industrial development projects.
• Support the promotion of regional industrial partnership networks and establishment of regional technical support centers for upgrading small and medium industries (SMIs).
• Support resource mobilization for implementation of industrial development and upgrading programs and projects.
• Collaborate closely with Business Development Organizations to identify actors and their needs.
• Engage with local manufacturing industries to understand their business objectives and facilitate their upgrading by leveraging technologies for business transformation.
• Support the development of innovative solutions tailored to the requirements of the manufacturing sectors in West Africa.
• Keep abreast of the latest advancements in technologies, tools, and methodologies to enhance the capabilities of the manufacturing industries.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in the manufacturing industry to expand their network and influence.
• Support managerial capacity and skills development in the industrial sector in the region.
• Perform any other related responsibilities to enhance the goal of industrialization as may be periodically assigned by the Supervisor.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Economics, Industry, Industrial Development, Engineering from a recognized University
• 5 years of professional experience in the field of industry, private sector development and technology upgrading
• Experience in developing programs / projects related to industrial upgrading/capacity building and/or technology transfer
• Experience in implementing programs/projects related to industrial upgrading/capacity building and/or technology transfer
• Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions, and challenges in industrial development
• Knowledge of institutional capacity building initiatives and extensive understanding of program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
• Knowledge of industrial sector development, including business and small and medium enterprise promotion, latest technologies, as well as policy formulation and analysis

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 relevant 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 sensitivity and responsiveness 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 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 with 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 they relate to projects/programmes 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, 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 language will be an added advantage.
• Ability to develop and implement an individual action plan for achieving specific work goals, identify and organize tasks, and monitor progress to facilitate execution.
• Ability to contribute to and/or lead projects utilizing accepted project management standards and techniques, coordinate contributions by others, and 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 take proactive remedial action as required.

Salary

• USD 77,480.72 - USD89,289.87 annually

Application Closing Date
15th May, 2024.