Director, PPDU- D2 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: Director, PPDU- D2

Location: Lome, Togo
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Agency: ECOWAS Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU)
Department: Infrastructure
Directorate: PPDU
Division: N/A
Line Supervisor: PPDU Steering Committee / Commissioner for Infrastructure
Supervising: All PPDU Staff
Grade: D2

Role Overview
The PPDU was established by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers Regulation C/REG.5/08/11 as a Specialized Agency of the Community responsible for the preparation and development of regional infrastructure projects, to prepare bankable infrastructure investment projects which will attract private and public sector financing.

Guided by Article 2 of the PPDU Regulation C/REG. 5/08/11), the Director of the PPDU shall act as the principal representative of the PPDU in its dealings with all the key stakeholders. The Director shall manage a team of experts under the supervision of the PPDU Steering Committee, in collaboration with the Departments in charge of the Infrastructure sector (Transport, Energy and ICT) of the ECOWAS Commission and national or intergovernmental structures in charge of infrastructure project preparation, the private sector and the technical partners to prepare and develop regional integration infrastructure projects in ECOWAS Member States in order to promote investment in infrastructure from the public and private sector.

Role And Responsibilities

Lead the identification, selection and prioritization of regional integration infrastructure projects in consultation with the ECOWAS Commission, Member States and the private sector;
Initiate and/or undertake the studies and activities required for preparation and development of infrastructure projects with a view to making the projects bankable;
Oversee the management of the Infrastructure project preparation Funds, and all the other Funds placed at its disposal;
Ensure that the PPDU serves as regional focal point for capacity-building of similar structures in ECOWAS Member States;
Lead the mobilization of resources required for preparation and development of infrastructure projects;
Help to create an attractive climate for regional infrastructure projects financing and investment;
Lead negotiations and conclude cooperation and/or partnership agreements with regional and sub-regional institutions in the area of infrastructure project preparation and development;
Ensure monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of PPDU supported projects;
Act as the principal representative of the PPDU in its dealings with all the key stakeholders;
Initiate and conduct staff recruitment in conformity with the organizational structure and the relevant procedures, as adopted by the PPDU Steering Committee/ ECOWAS;
Enhance the reputation of the Unit by the quality of the projects prepared;
Perform such other functions as may be assigned to him/her by the PPDU Steering Committee.

Academic Qualifications And Experience

Master’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university in engineering; or any master’s degree (or equivalent) in applied science related to infrastructure from a university of recognized standing; Masters in economics, business administration or finance with extensive experience in infrastructure projects will be an added advantage.
15 years of progressively responsible experience in infrastructure project development in a senior leadership capacity with a minimum of 7 years’ experience working on issues related to the ECOWAS region; experience working with Member States and delegations in the context of international organizations; extensive experience in programme and project planning, financing and oversight;
Knowledge of policy and strategy development, change management and related issues, with broad geographical outcomes/impacts;
Ability to lead the development, management/review of reports and papers on technical and policy issues;
Knowledge of ECOWAS policies, management, administrative, budgetary and staffing systems, procedures and regulations;
Progressive senior leadership experience in establishing strategic partnerships, working collaboratively and building consensus with multiple stakeholders on critical and/or complex issues.
Proven competence in preparation, development, design and implementation of infrastructure project financing/ public private partnerships (PPP) investment including conducting feasibility studies, procurement and contract management;
Proven record of effectively managing teams to deliver programmes with a strategic vision and operational focus:
Demonstrated leadership experience in establishing strategic partnerships, working collaboratively and building consensus with multiple stakeholders (especially National Governments);
Proven experience in negotiating and concluding cooperation and/or partnership agreements with regional and international institutions in the area of infrastructure project preparation and development.
Experience in mobilizing resources from donors/ development and financing partners
The position of the PPDU Director is for a tenure of 5 years renewable once (Article 8.2e ECOWAS Regulation C/REG. 5/08/11)

Age Limit:

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

Ecowas Key Competences:

Demonstrated passion and commitment to public service principles, values and ethics, and the practice of accountability in public sector management;
Demonstrated ability to promote a balanced perspective on the organization’s leadership and governing body to keep ECOWAS mission, vision, and values at the forefront of employee decision making and actions;
Ability to successfully inspire, motivate and engage others to creatively and innovatively solve problems and resolve issues; develops a culture where staff members hold themselves personally accountable for results;
Well-developed acumen, superior judgement, tact and diplomacy to work with various interest groups and stakeholders, to influence/enlighten policy direction and to advance strategic priorities;
Ability to conduct high-stakes negotiations with high-level clients while taking account of different stakeholder agendas, cultural norms, situational factors, ECOWAS interests; demonstrates the ability to partner with internal and external clients;
Ability to identify and capitalize on synergies with other departments, specialized agencies and key actors and partners to achieve objectives;
Leads and manages complex service agreements and strategic relationships with member states; leads and/or oversees new program and project activities.
Understands diverse cultural views especially within west Africa, and sensitive to group differences; ability to challenge bias and intolerance;
Plays a leadership role in shaping the ethics, values and culture of the organization by consistently communicating and exemplifying them;
Understands inclusion, the impact of unconscious bias, and how to manage and leverage differences; ability to make/apply the connection between diversity and innovation, and to oversee a talent system that remains inclusive, transparent, and well understood;
Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work
Ability to identify roadblocks to principles of equity, fairness and transparency, to oversee diversity indicators for planning and program development and to create a workplace free of discrimination and harassment.
Knowledge of the ECOWAS mandate, strategic plan/priorities as well as the economic, political and social state/trends of member states, especially as pertains to own scope of work;
Understanding of the ECOWAS mandate, sector programs and projects as well as organizational structure, workplace culture and its dynamics;
Proven knowledge of the rules and procedures of ECOWAS, the implementation of which is necessary for the realization of goals, the establishment of sound internal controls as well as the monitoring and evaluation of programs, plans and policies;
Sound knowledge of ECOWAS partnership agreements, sector programs and projects, procurement, financial and human resources policies and practices as well as internal reforms and capacity development initiatives.
Ability to think creatively and innovating generating alternatives, visualizing new possibilities, challenging assumptions, and being open to additional information; adjust priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing tasks;
Ability to prioritize action steps to stay focused on key objectives while handling multiple demands and competing priorities;
Ability to analyze reporting or working relationships between several departments agencies and institutions, and recognize areas of potential obstacle or challenges and produce solutions or alternatives to achieve strategic priorities;
Ability to obtain information, opinions and recommendations from various sources to inform decisions, produce conclusions and to drive change.
Exhibit active listening skills to encourage stronger communication amongst team members and to drive employee engagement in all activities of the unit;
Ability to clearly articulate links between the Unit’s strategy and the ECOWAS Commission’s goals;
Ensures communication plans are developed and implemented so audiences are informed in a timely manner;
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.
Sound ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjust priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing tasks;
Foresees risks and adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing tasks;
Translates the strategic direction, including vision, mission and values into effective strategies; develops, leads and ensures meaningful communication of shared vision, values, mission and strategic direction to inspire and influence others; positions the organization to deal with emerging and long-term trends, issues and opportunities;
Establishes performance expectations and oversees the implementation and monitoring of performance management programs to ensure all employees meet performance expectations.