Executive Director - Regional Animal Health Center 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: Executive Director - Regional Animal Health Center

Job Code: 20003382
Location: Mali
Job type: Full-Time
Grade: P5
Agency: Commission
Directorate: Regional Animal Health Center (RAHC)
Division: Archiving and Documentation
Department: Office of the President
Line Supervisor: Commissioner -  Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources, Principal Officer Administration & Finance,  Principal Officer Veterinary Regulation, Principal Officer Animal Health & Epidemio-surveillance
Supervising:  Communication and Public Relations Officer, Legal Officer, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, Office Manager.

Role Overview

• Under the guidance and supervision of the Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, the incumbent will provide strategic leadership for the prevention and control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) in terrestrial and aquatic animals, and emerging and re-emerging zoonoses through the delivery of good and sustainable regional veterinary governance as well as public health support for food safety in the ECOWAS region to contribute to the overall vision of poverty reduction, improved livelihoods, wealth creation, and food and nutrition security as envisioned in the ECOWAS agriculture policy (ECOWAP).

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership at the RAHC for the prevention and control of TADs and emerging and re-emerging zoonoses, and regional Food Safety through Public Health support.
• Promote the achievement of high-quality results through effective management of multi-disciplinary teams and diverse partnerships.·       Initiate and supervise the implementation of projects/programs in the field of animal health and food safety while monitoring the stages of their implementation and the achievement of their objectives.
• Ensure the implementation of monitoring and evaluation for the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the results of projects/programs related to the objectives as well as the work plans.
• Supervise staff and the implementation of work plans, ensure the maintenance of a certain impartiality in the evaluation of their performance
• Plan and manage finances and administration in general, especially the preparation of annual activities
• Develop business plans, prepare budgets, manage expenditures in accordance with approved budgets, and prepare progress reports for activities.
• Identify opportunities for strategic partnership and steer towards the establishment and strengthening of collaborative projects with such partners.
• Work closely with the Heads of Unit in their area of ​​competence to provide them with a strategic direction for the implementation of their activities.
• Lead specific resource mobilization activities such as donor identification and relationship management as well as proposal development.
• Undertake other duties that may be assigned by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources

Academis Qualificaton & Experience

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Epidemiology, Veterinary Public Health, Animal Health Economics, or a related field from a recognized university.
• A PhD will be considered as an added advantage.
• 12 years extensive experience with multilateral negotiations and advice to governments with program fund resource mobilization, including 6 years relevant international work experience and 5 years at a supervisory level.
• Knowledge and experience in project formulation for the prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases and zoonosis at the regional level.
• Knowledge of relevant veterinary policies and regulations governing livestock sector development.
• Experience in establishing strategic partnerships, working collaboratively, and building consensus with multiple internal and external stakeholders on complex issues in a multi-disciplinary governmental or international organization.
• Experience in project planning, formulation, and implementation, as well as funding requirements of major multilateral and bilateral funding partners.
• Technical capacity to develop a vision, mission and strategies and focus on the needs of member countries and to adjust strategies to take account of changing circumstances.

Key Competencies:

• Senior leadership experience in establishing strategic partnerships, working collaboratively, and building consensus with multiple internal and/or external stakeholders on complex issues in a multi-disciplinary governmental or international organization.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS mandate, strategic plan/priorities as well as the economic, political, and social state/trends of member states, as pertains to own scope of work.
• Exhibit consistency on actions, values, methods, confidentiality, ethics, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes which connotes a deep commitment to do the right thing for the right reason, regardless of the circumstances.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Heads of Institutions, elected officials and statutory employees to facilitate compliance, build engagement, resolve conflicts, and obtain support for change.
• Ability to respect the chain of commands in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to promote a culture where people hold themselves personally accountable for results.
• Ability to provide leadership, management, and technical oversight for all project activities and program deliverables in accordance with ECOWAS legal and administrative practices and standards.
• Ability to conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with the ECOWAS performance management system and to mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork.
• Ability to oversee project management, internal controls, and stewardship of financial resources and to address issues in a confident and capable manner whilst making decisions that exemplifies impartial and non-partisan decision-making.
• Ability to exercise the initiative and resourcefulness necessary for simultaneously addressing a variety of stakeholder needs, pursuing multiple tasks, and achieving positive outcomes.
• Ability to create synergies with client groups and others to achieve objectives in setting and monitoring service standards and indicators.
• Ability to motivate and engage others in promoting or adopting best practices in client services.
• Ability to identify and improve services and client interactions through appropriate networks and to create innovative ways of addressing these in an accountable and transparent manner.
• Knowledge of anti-discriminatory/human rights regulatory environment and ability to advance strategies to foster an inclusive working environment and healthy organization respectful of cultural diversity and gender equality and free from harassment and discrimination.
• Understanding of diverse cultural views especially within West Africa, being sensitive to group differences, gender issues and ability to contribute to, advocate for, and/or develop policies which are gender sensitive and responsive to various cultures.
• Ability to foster a diverse and inclusive interactive work environment that can effectively bring together a wide spectrum of ideas and experiences to solve problems, develop project/programs and improve results.
• Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Ability to remain objective in managing conflicts regardless of cultural differences/positions, gender differences, and encourage other staff to overcome cultural and gender bias and differences.
• Understanding of ECOWAS organizational structure, workplace culture and dynamics.
• Ability to apply knowledge of ECOWAS legal framework, strategic priorities, and operational standards to develop/modernize policies and programs and/or to implement policies and programs in a sustainable and effective manner.
• Well-developed business, social and political acumen, demonstrating a strong commitment to the vision and mandate of ECOWAS coupled with a broad knowledge of the economic, political, and social situations and trends in Member States.
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills on matters relating to policy and strategy development important to the realization of the ECOWAS mandate and the improvement of outcomes for Member States.
• Ability to analyze reports as well as socio-economic and institutional dynamics and recognize areas of potential obstacles or challenges and develop innovative solutions or alternatives to address barriers and achieve strategic/operational priorities.
• Ability to anticipate and interpret the effects of environmental changes and its impact on social, economic, and political outlook, and make recommendations.
• Ability to identify/address strengths and weaknesses, stimulate creativity, reduce resistance to change and improve the achievement of strategic objectives.
• Ability to make prudent decisions relating to the management of human, financial and material resources.
• Ability to actively listen and understand perspectives of others to make informed assertions, decisions, or recommendations.
• Ability to build multiple external collaborative relationships to support strategic and operational objectives, identify the key issues and accommodate the key players with well thought out communication and stakeholder management plans.
• Ability to communicate with clarity and conviction, make compelling presentations that promote new insights, ideas and perspectives and a better understanding of issues and challenges.
• Exhibit active listening skills to encourage stronger communication amongst team members to show care and make them feel valued and to drive employee engagement in all institutions and agencies.
• Excellent negotiation and conflict management skills focusing on building and nurturing effective and collaborative relationships.
• Proficiency in information, communication, and 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 prepare plans, set clear objectives in a consistent manner and have effective oversight of performance management practices to ensure that goals and standards are met.
• Ability to set effective goals and manage change in a manner that demonstrates resilience, composure, and a positive outlook in an environment of uncertainty and ambiguity.
• Ability to enable the development of organizational and individual talent throughout the implementation of strategic, operational, program project and individual plans.
• Ability to implement plans, mobilize/engage people, identify critical factors, mitigate risks, monitor indicators and feedback, initiate corrective measures, and build capacities for sustainability.
• Ability to institute rigorous monitoring and evaluation practices and learn from setbacks and mistakes to ensure continuous improvement.

Age Limit:

• Be below 50 years old. This provision does not apply to internal candidates.

Application Closing Date
31st July, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their filled job application form with three (3) professional references, resume (CV) and a cover letter to: b54executivedirectorrahc@ecowas.int using the job title as the subject of the email.

Click here to download the application form (Docx.)

Note

• Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo a written test and subsequently an interview session.
• Successful candidates shall be subjected to further screening / background checks.
• Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory background check.
• Assessment method: Assessment of qualified candidates may include a written exercise and a competency-based interview.
• ECOWAS provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and a healthy work-life balance.
• We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore, we encourage women to apply for positions that suit their competencies.
• 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.
• 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.