Principal Officer, Communications & Advocacy 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: Principal Officer, Communications & Advocacy

Location: Dakar, Senegal
Institution: GIABA
Grade: P5
Line Supervisor: Director-General
Supervising: Information Managers (LIC & AIC) and Communication Assistant in Dakar

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the Director-General of GIABA, the incumbent plays the role of popularizing the activities of the Institution and  particularly designing and implementing robust communication and advocacy strategy for GIABA and on its mandate.
• The holder of the position is to engage and sensitize relevant partners as well as Member States in the region in the areas of promoting Anti-Money Laundering and the Combating of Terrorist Financing/Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/PF) and design programs/activities dissuading member states and citizens from engaging in fraudulent activities with regards to AML/CFT/PF. 
• The position will ensure the carrying out promotional programs, training, outreaches, campaigns, advocacies for public enlightenment and community mobilizations in support of efforts at combatting AML/CFT/PF.

Role and Responsibilities

• Design/review communication strategy for the implementation and dissemination of the AML/CFT/PF policies, strategies and action plans.
• Engage on mass community mobilization using community–based organizations and stakeholders.
• Ensure stakeholders’ mobilization and capacity-building programmes for non-state actors
• Work with the mass media, print and electronic, with ease and empower them with toolkits for understanding AML/CFT programs and activities.
• Write feature articles in print media and magazines and provide updates and reports based on the press – AML/CFT-related incidences in the region.
• Supervise the management of the GIABA website.
• Carry out any other duties to be assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent degree in Information Management, Journalism, Public Relations, Mass Communication, Strategic Studies, Public policy, Social Advocacy, or any Social Sciences, or a related field from a recognized University.
• 10 years of relevant experience in Information Management, Journalism, Strategic Communications, Policy Dialogue, Programme Management, Advocacies, Public Relations, or International Relations, of which at least 5 years relevant at a supervisory level.
• Proven competence in developing content and implementing complex strategic communications strategies to broaden awareness of programmes and priorities and increase their visibility across key audiences, including the media.
• Proven knowledge to provide sound editorial judgment, including on politically sensitive issues and to take decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the organization.
• Technical competence to conduct information gathering, research and analysis with modern technology.
• Experience in communications, information management, advocacy, journalism, branding, 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.
• Excellent moderation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly in any of the ECOWAS languages
• Proven knowledge of communication and the ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships.

Age limit:

• Be below 45 years old.
• This provision does not apply to internal candidates.

ECOWAS Key Competencies:

• Ability to lead in assigned programmes and projects by providing the necessary managerial and operational expertise required for the fulfilment of the organization’s mandate.
• Ability to lead by example and organize teamwork to encourage cooperation to achieve targeted results, champion and build momentum for change and to bring about employee engagement.
• Develop and implement internal controls for the pilot program to manage potential barriers to implementation.
• Ability to respect the chain of commands in an appropriate manner.
• Excellent self-management skills, demonstrating ethics and integrity, confidentiality and displaying due regards for internal controls of rules, delegations and transparency.
• Ability to bring together complementary skills/expertise, assess individual contributions and recognize/address accomplishments and shortcomings in a manner that brings continued success to the organization.
• Knowledge of program management at the level usually acquired from a certification in program management.
• Ability to research benchmarks and trends to bring about the best recommendations for the development and improvement of programs/projects that will best serve the community/organization.
• Well-developed networking and interpersonal skills to seek feedback, information and data from a network of professionals from multiple countries/sectors/organizations and to identify and prioritize the most critical community requirements.
• Ability to manage and coordinate client management initiatives and make recommendations.
• Ability to develop and implement best practices in client services.
• Ability to develop and implement stakeholder management plans, programs and initiatives to obtain buy-in on new initiatives, to better understand dissenting views, to obtain resources and to increase perceptions of success.
• Diplomacy, tact, and respect of other people from varied backgrounds, understanding diverse cultural views especially within west Africa with the ability to convert diversity into opportunities to improve program/operational outcomes.
• Ability to create a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from diverse strengths bringing together innovative practices.
• Ability to remain objective in managing conflict regardless of cultural differences /positions, gender differences, and encourage other staff to overcome cultural and gender bias and differences.
• Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Ability to serve the interest of culturally diverse multinational teams/organizations/communities and people with disabilities without prejudice and bias.
• Understanding of the ECOWAS organizational structure, associated dynamics and expectations as required to collaborate, participate, contribute and lead effectively.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS mandate, strategic plan/priorities as well as the economic, political, and social situation and trends in member states, as pertains to own scope of work.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS best practices, program management approaches and research techniques to lead and/or contribute to the development or assessment of programs, projects, or initiatives.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS rules and procedures in order to appropriately interpret and apply directive text, provide technical advice, coach others and assess performance.
• Ability to analyze a situation by using indicators to assess the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success, in making decisions.
• Ability to pull together information from different sources to identify the cause of problems, consequences of alternative causes of action, potential obstacles and ways to avoid the problem in the future.
• Ability to break down very complex situations/information into simple terms to explain recommendations and conclusions aimed at solving problems or improving operations/programs/projects.
• Ability to develop new insights into situations, apply innovative solutions to problems and to design new methods of addressing issues or disconnects where established methods and procedures are inapplicable or no longer effective.
• Ability to communicate with impact, clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner conveying credibility & confidence when making presentations, setting expectations and explaining complex issues.
• Ability to listen intently and correctly interpret messages from others and respond appropriately.
• Accomplished technical writing and editing skills.
• 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.
• Ability to give constructive feedback, provide recognition, address shortcomings, and motivate direct reports to work at peak performance.
• 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.
• Organizational and project/program management skills with significant experience identifying timelines, targets, costs and resources necessary to deliver on operational/program/project outputs in line with result-based management approach.
• Ability to set effective goals and targets for self, others, and the work unit and adjusting work or project priorities in response to changing circumstances.
• Ability to use participatory approach in project planning and identify gaps affecting the achievement of program/project expectations and to design and implement intervention plans required to build the desired task.
• Ability to implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation practices and to set in place regular reporting schedules relevant to key outputs.
• Ability to plan, organize, control resources, and to comply with policies, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.

ECOWAS Work Environment:

• 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.

Salary
UA57,772.51 / USD 91,153.13 Annually.

Application Closing Date
30th April, 2026. 

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications including their Curriculum Vitae, Cover letter and Application form to: b60pocommadvocacygiaba@ecowas.int using the job title as the subject of the email.

Click here to download the application form (Docx.)

Disclaimer

• 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.
• Failure to comply with any of these requirements will result in the cancellation of the application.

Note: The application will not be considered if one of the Mandatory documents is not attached.