Programme Officer (PO), Traditional Sports Development 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 (PO), Traditional Sports Development

Location: Ougadougou, Burkina - faso
Job Code: 20003554
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Grade: P3 / P4
Agency: ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC)
Department: Human Development and Social Affairs
Status: Permanent
Directorate: EYSDC
Division: Sports Policy and Programmes Development
Line Supervisor: PPO Sports Policy and Programmes Development

Job Summary
Under the supervision of the PPO Sports Policy and Programmes Development, the incumbent shall assist in developing and implementing the approved programmes and activities of the Sports Divisions, specifically with regards to the promotion and development of African traditional sports.

Role and Responsibilities

• Advise the PPO Sports in the execution and implementation of the mandate assigned to the Sports Division of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC), with specific focus on the promotion and development of African traditional sports.
• Initiate and propose policies and programmes for the promotion and development of African traditional sports across and beyond the region.
• Plan and implement African sports development programmes and activities for the Community.
• Facilitate the development and establishment of the culture of sports within the Centre and across the region.
• Promote the development of regional centres of excellence in sports for African traditional sports.
• Develop and manage a register and data base of professional sports persons and bodies across the region in the field of African traditional sports practice.
• Develop and manage a data base of viable African traditional sports disciplines practiced in ECOWAS member States.
• Promote access of sports practitioners to professional traditional sports practice across the region.
• Promote traditional sports competitions across the region.
• Promote the development of professional technical capacities in African traditional sports across the region (referees and technical officials, etc)
• Monitor and support the activities of National and Regional Traditional Sports Unions and federations.
• Perform any other tasks as may be assigned by the line supervisor and the Director.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in Sports Science and Physical Education or a professional degree of bachelor’s level in Sports Science, Sports and Entertainment or Sports Management and Development or related field from a recognized university.
• 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of sports management and development or any similar or related field.
• Sound knowledge of the mandates, policies and orientations/directions of global sports activities and traditional sports development.
• Sound knowledge of and involvement in traditional sports management and development initiatives and activities in the international, regional, or national environment.
• Professional experience in an international organisation/institution in the field of sports will be an added 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 instil 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 the 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 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 judgment, 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, 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
USD 62,699.75 - USD 73,430.77 Annually.

Application Closing Date
15th May, 2024.