Programme Officer, Advocacy & Communications at the 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: Program Officer, Advocacy & Communications

Job Code: 20000418
Location: Abuja
Job type: Full-Time
Grade: P3
Division: Small Arms
Line Supervisor: Principal Programme Officer, Small Arms
Directorate: Peacekeeping and Regional Security
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Department: Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS)

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the Principal Program Officer, Small Arms, the incumbent plays the role of popularizing the activities of the Division and to particularly design and implement robust communication and advocacy strategy for the ECOWAS Convention on SALW, to engage and sensitize relevant partners as well as Member States in the region in the areas of promoting the culture of peace, peace education in schools curricula and to design programs/activities dissuading youth’s involvement in violent crimes. 
• The position will carry out promotional programs, outreaches, campaigns and advocacies for public enlightenments and community mobilizations in support of effort at combatting illicit proliferation of SALW and for standards.

Role and Responsibilities

• Design communication strategy for the implementation of ECOWAS Convention on SALW.
• Engage on mass community mobilization using community – based organizations and stakeholders.
• Work with the mass media, print and electronic, with ease and to empower them with toolkits for understanding SALW programs and activities.
• Write feature articles in print media and magazines and provide updates and reports based on press – cuts on gun-related incidences (crimes, murder, or armed violence) in the region.
• Update the Small Arms Division website.
• Carry out any other duties to be assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Mass Communication, or a related field from a recognized University.
• 5 years of responsible experience in implementing a communication plan.
• Understanding of political, governance, and security dynamics, conflict prevention, management, and resolution.
• Technical competence to conduct information gathering, research, and analysis with modern technology.
• Experience in communications, journalism, and public relations.
• Experience in developing communication strategies and plans, internal and external 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 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.

Assessment Method:

• Assessment of qualified candidates may include a written exercise and a competency-based interview.

ECOWAS Work Environment:

• ECOWAS provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and a healthy work-life balance.

Annual Salary
UA50,336.3 (USD 79,420.72).

Application Closing Date
24th July, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications to: b53poadvocacyandcommunication@ecowas.int using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Click here to download the application form (Docx.)

Note

• Selection and appointment will be subject to background and reference checks and other administrative requirements.
• ECOWAS does not charge for any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing in connection with application or recruitment processes and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
• Individuals from minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are also highly encouraged to apply. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of ECOWAS’s workforce.
• We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore, we encourage women to apply for positions that suit their competencies.