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. Considered one of the pillars of the African Economic Community, the organization was founded in order to achieve collective self-sufficiency for its member states by creating a single large trading bloc through an economic and trading union. It also serves as a peacekeeping force in the region. The organization operates officially in three co-equal languages French, English, and Portuguese.
We are currently recruiting for the position below
Job Position: Head of Division, PPO Mediation Facilitation
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Ref: ECW-COMM/REC/PA-P/001/2013
Duration: Three (3) years (renewable annually)
Responsibilities
- Ensuring the liaison, coordination and follow-up of activities of the ECOWAS Mediation Organs (the Mediation and Security Council, ECOWAS Council of the Wise, Zonal Bureau, Special Representatives of the ECOWAS President, Special Envoys, etc.);
- Building a database of potential mediators and resources in the region and beyond; building a mediation facilitation capacity within the ECOWAS Commission to promote preventive diplomacy interventions in the regions through competence and skills enhancement of mediators, information sharing and logistical support;
- Establishing or facilitating capacity enhancement of relevant institutions of the Community to undertake mediation and arbitration activities within and between Member States;
- Facilitating the enhancement of the competence and skills of appropriate state institutions and civil society institutions within Member States to undertake mediation, conciliation and arbitration activities;
- Working closely with Member States and ECOWAS Mediation Organs to mobilize local resources, including eminent persons, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups, women's organizations, and other civil society organizations, the private sector and any such actors as may be necessary, for the purpose of mediation, conciliation and facilitation to resolve disputes;
- Acting as liaison between the ECOWAS Commission and the AU Mediation Division and the UN Mediation Support Unit, think-tanks, academia, and Inter-Governmental Organizations;
- Assisting the Director of Political Affairs in coordinating the preparation of statements, talking points, speeches, and lectures for the Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, President of the Commission and other designated officials;
- Supporting the Director of Political Affairs in formulation and implementation of programmatic tasks, such as preparation of budget, monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget and programme performance, preparation of inputs for result-based budgeting, and evaluation of staff performance.
Qualifications and Skills
- A Bachelors Degree or equivalent) in the Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Affairs, Law, Development Studies or any other discipline related to mediation.
- Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in dealing with mediation facilitation and other related subjects-matter progressively at the National, Regional, Continental and International levels.
- Experience working at the managerial level, with mediation tools, standards, instruments and mechanisms. Knowledge and expertise of the linkages between mediation, gender and women's issues would be an asset.
- Management and leadership experience is required. A higher degree in the relevant field may substitute for two years of professional experience.
- Candidate should not be 50 years old or over at the point of recruitment and must be a citizen of one of the ECOWAS member states.
- Fluency in oral and written expression in any one of the ECOWAS working languages : English, French and Portuguese. Knowledge of a second official language (preferably French) would be an advantage.
Application Closing Date
3rd May, 2013
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
click here to apply online