Programme Officers (PO), Research at the 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: Programme Officer (PO), Research

Location: Abuja (FCT), Nigeria
Job Code: 20001660 / 20003617
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Grade: P3/P4
Slot: 2
Status: Permanent
Department: Economics Affairs and Agriculture
Directorate: Research and Statistics
Division: Research and Knowledge Management- Economic Policy Analysis (EPAU)
Line Supervisor: PPO Research and Knowledge Management- Economic Policy Analysis (EPAU)

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the PPO Research and Knowledge Management - Economic Policy Analysis, the Programme Officer / Research oversees undertaking policy research and analysis on all the pressing issues related to the macroeconomic development of the ECOWAS region to inform decision making at the highest level of the Community.

Role and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implement Regional Economic Research Programmes.
• Implement ECOWAS Research Policy.
• Develop and implement cooperation mechanism between researchers in ECOWAS region (Research Network).
• Undertake studies and research work.
• Gather, and interpret data on the macroeconomic, economic situation in West Africa.
• Review available information and make a detailed report about the research done.
• Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address macroeconomic and economic problems related to regional economic policies.
• Process macroeconomic, economic, and statistical data using econometric methods.
• Assess foreign economic, trade, and financial interests that affect regional interests.
• Examine macroeconomic, economic data to formulate assessments of economic activity and various elements of the regional economy.
• Administer all regulatory requirements and prepare reports and presentations for management to recommend changes if required.
• Provide support in implementation of regional policies and prepare reports on a regular basis.
• Analyze all macroeconomic and economic data and perform statistical studies and develop forecasts for various economic activities and maintain knowledge on various forecast models and recommend changes if required.
• Modelling and simulation of regional economic policies
• Monitoring and assessment of regional economic policies
• Undertake capacity building of officers in member states, Publication and Networking
• Any other responsibility that may be assigned to him/her by the President of the ECOWAS Commission

Academic Qualifications and Experience 

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics / Statistics or related fields.
• At least 5 years of experience in Research Programmes.
• Should be a macroeconomist with strong ability to produce research work results.
• Perform economic simulation; forecasting; Econometric modeling; familiarity with econometric and forecasting software,
• Ability to analyze all macroeconomic and economic data and perform statistical studies and develop forecasts for various economic activities and maintain knowledge on various forecast models and recommend changes if required.
• knowledge of terminological and reference research techniques with ability to use all sources of reference and information and to conduct complex research.
• Good academic knowledge of a broad range of subjects dealt with by the agency i.e, health, political, social, legal, science, technical etc.
• Strategic mindset, a strong capacity to analyze action from the perspectives of stakeholders and translate strategic thinking into a compelling plan of action.
• Mastery of econometric modeling; familiarity with econometric software

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 77,480.72 - USD 89,289.87 annually

Application Closing Date
15th May, 2024.

How to Apply
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.