Director, Industry and Private Sector, ECOWAS COMMISSION at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) - Deloitte Human Capital Consulting

Deloitte Human Capital Consulting - Our client, The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a 15-member regional group mandated to promote economic integration, social cohesion, and political stability across West Africa. As a premier Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), ECOWAS operates through a robust institutional framework, led by the Commission and the Community Parliament, to harmonize policies, foster a "borderless" region, and uphold democratic governance for over 400 million citizens. 

They are recruiting candidates to fill the position below:

Job Title: Director, Industry and Private Sector, ECOWAS COMMISSION

Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time

Overview of the Position

• Under the general supervision of the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, the incumbent of the post is responsible for promoting and implementing the ECOWAS vision and objectives for industrialization and private sector development in the region.
• This mission is part of the Western African Common Industrial Policy (WACIP), as well as other relevant policies and initiatives related to industrialization and the private sector within ECOWAS.

Overview of the Position and Responsibilties

• Coordinate the implementation of the West African Common Industrial Policy (WACIP 2010–2030) and its strategic framework.
• Communicate, translate and coordinate the implementation of the sector's vision in collaboration with staff, other managers and the ecosystem.
• Establish a support platform for regional private sector organizations.
• Create a structured dialogue mechanism between the private sector and decision-makers.
• Promote a business climate conducive to attracting regional and international investment.
• Establish a comprehensive mechanism linking regional and national private sectors as well as investment agencies.
• Monitor relevant regional and international developments and propose responses to investment promotion and the private sector in the region.
• Maintain, under the general supervision of the Commissioner, a regional and international network of specialized peers, professionals and decision-makers to ensure the smooth implementation of ECOWAS programmes.
• Plan annual programs by defining goals, objectives, activities and budgets; measure and monitor the achievement of objectives; negotiate necessary adjustments to objectives and budgets.
• Implement performance-based budgeting within the department.
• Organize the department effectively, with clear hierarchical lines and optimal delegation of powers.
• Liaise with the Human Resources Department to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of services (recruitment, performance management, promotions and personnel administration).
• Define labour standards and establish staff monitoring mechanisms and results to ensure compliance with standards, quality and deadlines.
• Manage the planning development system and individual performance standards through the department's planning and evaluation system.
• Promote and strengthen quality, standardization, metrology, certification and accreditation structures at the national and regional levels, in accordance with the ECOWAS Quality Policy (ECOQUAL) and the Standards Harmonization Model (ECOSHAM).
• Facilitate the harmonization of industrial policy measures, strategies and regulatory frameworks to promote industrial development and growth.
• Work with Member States and development partners to strengthen capacity and institutional frameworks for industrial development.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with industry players and development partners to support regional industrialization.
• Promote the development and use of local raw materials by industries and encourage the development of extractive industries within ECOWAS.
• Support technology transfer and industrial research and development programmes, as well as the creation of technical support centres for SMEs, business incubators, special economic zones and industrial parks.
• Collaborate with national, regional, continental and international institutions to develop intellectual property rights and access to knowledge.
• Encourage industrial competitiveness and performance monitoring through the establishment of an ECOWAS industrial database.
• Cooperate with development partners to promote industrial restructuring and modernization programmes.
• Facilitate resource mobilization for the implementation of industrial development programs and projects and support the mobilization of funding for quality infrastructure.
• Communicate, translate, coordinate and implement the guidance of the ECOWAS Commission Directorate on industrialization, in collaboration with staff.
• Organize the Management efficiently to ensure optimal performance and service delivery.
• Ensure efficient management with clear lines, minimal bureaucracy and appropriate delegation of responsibilities.
• Plan and implement an annual performance-based programme budget.
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Commission's programmes and projects and ensure that objectives and targets are achieved.
• Perform any other tasks that may be entrusted by the Commissioner.

Qualifications
Diplomas and Experience:

• Master (or equivalent) in Science and Engineering, Business Management/Administration, Technological Management, Finance, Banking or in a related field, issued by a recognized university.
• The possession of a professional qualification will be an additional asset.
• Twelve (12) years of professional experience, including five years in management positions.
• Good knowledge of the regional framework for industrial development, governance and cooperation in West Africa, in particular the Common Industrial Policy (WACIP 2010–2030), the ECOWAS Quality Policy (ECOQUAL) and the Standards Harmonization Model (ECOSHAM).
• Mastering macroeconomic and development issues in West Africa; proven technical competence to design and implement a comprehensive policy framework governing private sector activities within Member States, as well as to develop development strategies for SMEs.
• Expertise in the creation and management of incubators, technical support and technology transfer centres, special economic zones, industrial parks and vocational training centres; demonstrated capacity to design, develop and conduct programmes and projects focused on institutional capacity building and business services.

Main Competencies for ECOWAS:

• Have strong leadership experience in building strategic partnerships, collaboration and consensus building with multiple internal or external stakeholders on complex issues, within a multidisciplinary government or international organization.
• Have a good knowledge of the mandate, the ECOWAS strategic plan/priorities and the state/economic, political and social trends of the Member States, with regard to their own scope.
• Be consistent in actions, have the ability to respect values, methods, confidentiality, ethics, measures, principles, expectations and results; be able to demonstrate a deep commitment to do what is right for the right cause, regardless of circumstances.
• Have the ability to build and maintain good working relationships with heads of institutions, elected representatives and statutory officials to facilitate compliance, engage, resolve conflicts and obtain the necessary support for change.
• Ensure scrupulous respect for the hierarchy.
• Be able to promote a culture that can cause agents to feel personally responsible for the results.
• Have the capacity to provide leadership, management and technical oversight of all project and program outcomes activities, in accordance with ECOWAS legal and administrative practices and standards.
• Be willing to conduct periodic evaluations of staff performance in accordance with the ECOWAS Performance Management System, mentor, motivate and engage staff, develop their ability to work as a team.
• Be able to oversee project management, internal controls, manage financial resources and address issues in a confident and competent manner while making impartial and non-partisan decisions.
• Demonstrate initiative and ingenuity to meet all the needs of the actors, to conduct the multiple tasks assigned and to achieve positive results.
• Be able to create synergy with client groups and other actors to achieve objectives in defining and monitoring standards and service indicators.
• Ability to encourage others to promote or adopt good practices in customer services.
• Be able to identify and improve services and exchanges with customers through appropriate networks and create new methods to respond to them in a responsible and transparent manner.
• Have a good knowledge of the regulatory environment to combat discrimination/human rights violations, as well as the ability to promote strategies to foster an inclusive workplace and healthy organization, respectful of cultural diversity and gender balance and free from harassment and discrimination.
• Full understanding of the various cultural points of view, including those of West African nationals, being sensitive to differences between groups, gender issues and helping to defend and/or develop policies sensitive to gender and different cultures.
• Be willing to encourage a diverse and inclusive interactive workplace that can bring together different ideas and experiences to solve problems, develop projects and programs, and improve outcomes.
• Be able to integrate a gender perspective and ensure the equitable participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Ability to be objective in conflict management despite cultural differences, gender positions and differences, and encourage staff to overcome prejudices and differences in culture and gender.
• Have a perfect mastery of the organizational structure, culture and dynamics of the ECOWAS workplace.
• Ability to implement ECOWAS legal framework, strategic priorities and operational standards to develop/update policies and programmes and/or implement policies and programmes in a sustainable and effective manner.
• Have a strong sense of trade, social and political issues, and demonstrate a strong commitment to the vision and mandate of ECOWAS.
• Have the capacity to judge and take decisions on issues related to the development of policies and strategies that are essential for the achievement of the ECOWAS mandate and the improvement of results for Member States.
• Ability to write and analyze reports and identify potential barriers or challenges; be able to develop solutions or propose new alternatives to overcome barriers and achieve strategic/operational priorities.
• Ability to predict and interpret the effects and impacts of environmental change (social, economic and political) and to make recommendations.
• Ability to identify/determine strengths and weaknesses, stimulate creativity, reduce resistance to change and improve the achievement of strategic objectives.
• Ability to make prudent decisions on the management of human, financial and material resources.
• Have a good ability to listen and understand the views of others, in order to inform statements, decisions or recommendations.
• Ability to build external collaborative relationships and networks to support the achievement of strategic and operational objectives; have the ability to identify key issues and engage key stakeholders through well-designed communication and management plans.
• Have the ability to communicate with clarity and conviction, to make compelling presentations that can foster the emergence of new knowledge, ideas and perspectives, and a better understanding of issues and challenges.
• Ability to listen to encourage better communication among team members, to show attention to them and to give them the feeling of being valued; to engage employees in the various institutions and agencies.
• Have excellent negotiation and conflict management skills; have the ability to build and maintain cordial relationships that are focused on collaboration.
• Have a perfect command of information and communication technologies (ICT).
• Know how to write and speak fluently one of the three official languages of ECOWAS (English, French and Portuguese). The practical knowledge of one of the other two languages would be an additional asset.
• Have excellent planning skills, have the ability to set clear expectations, conduct consistent and effective monitoring of performance management practices, and ensure that objectives are met and that standards are met.
• Be able to set goals, achieve expected outcomes and manage change; demonstrate resilience, coolness and positivity in an uncertain and hostile environment.
• Ability to foster the development of organizational and individual talent throughout the implementation of strategic, operational, program, project and individual plans.
• Ability to implement plans, engage and engage employees, identify key success factors, mitigate risk, monitor indicators and feedback, take corrective action and build sustainability capacity.
• Ability to implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation practices and to learn from failures and errors to ensure continuous improvement.

Annual Salary
UC 81,435.54/USD 128,488.99.

Application Closing Date
10th May, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online