Program Officer (PO), Strategic Development / Analysis at 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: Program Officer (PO), Strategic Development / Analysis

Ref.: ECW/HR/08051935
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Grade: P3/P4
Status: Permanent
Division: Strategic Planning
Department: Office of the Vice President
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Supervising: Programme Assistant
Line Supervisor: PPO Planning, Programming & Coordination
Directorate: Strategic Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation

Role Overview

Under the supervision of the Principal Programme Officer for Planning, Programming and Coordination, the Programme Officer for Strategy Analysis and Development will provide assistance in the implementation of the work programme of the Division, and provide any other support to the Directorate as required including supporting in research work, data analyses, compiling data and information, drafting reports, taking notes, and editing.

Role and Responsibilities

Carry out periodic analysis of the current external and internal environment of the organization, support in formulating organizational objectives and strategies based upon the environmental assessment, and developing procedures to implement and evaluate the strategic plan;
Conduct occasional research, identifying key challenges for the Commission and prepare relevant materials to be disseminated within the Commission in relation to capacity building;
Support other ECOWAS institutions and departments in the development of their strategic plan and annual work programme;
Assist in providing and delivering strategic data analysis, insights and presentations to the Management and other functional teams;
Analyze concepts and ideas in relation to strategic planning and assess feasibility, trade-offs and constraints in respect of their application;
Examine available models and analytical frameworks and apply appropriate models to related concepts, providing the department with materials for use at strategy and planning sessions;
Develop an outcome “planning” document and related templates suitable for developing action plans (objectives, responsibilities, time lines, budgets, etc.);
Coordinate capacity building activities in collaboration with Directorates and Units of the Commission as well as Development Partners (using existing coordination mechanisms);
Contributes to improving the department’s internal systems, processes and tools particularly as they enhance the implementation of strategic documents;
Updates data from multiple sources on a regular basis to provide information to management to make strategic business decisions;
Maintains report forms, formats, information dashboards, data generators, reports and other resources
Assist in ensuring that the overall results of the Strategic Framework are well understood and executed by the ECOWAS institutions and the departments of the Commission;
Support in the development of strategies, policies and processes across all functions that will help to achieve the defined strategic objectives;
Performs other duties as assigned the President.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Economics, Social Science or any related field from a recognized university;
5 years of relevant experience in leading effective planning, monitoring and evaluation processes at the national or international level;
Professional technical knowledge/expertise in activity monitoring & evaluation, evaluation design, data analysis, reporting and in methodological guides for all types of monitoring & evaluation;
Proven ability to implement, monitor and evaluate strategic plans with an RMB approach.

Age Limit:

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

ECOWAS Key Competencies

Ability to persuade/influence others to consider a certain point of view, adopt a new idea or implement new methods and practices;
Ability to lead a team of trainees/junior staff and instill a spirit of teamwork to engage employees and achieve a well-defined set of activities;
Ability to respect chain of command in an appropriate manner;
Ability to resolve challenges that occur with minimal direction and/or to recommend and explain solutions or alternatives for approval;
Ability to utilize the Code of Ethics to manage self, others, information and resources;
Ability to mentor others and create feedback loops with supervisors, colleagues and the subordinates to build strong working relationships and improve performance.
Contribute to maintaining organizational unit’s performance goals and standards.
Interpersonal skills with ability to keep a client informed of progress or setbacks in projects of relevance to timeline, quality and quantity;
Ability to proactively interact with clients and build strong trusting relationships based on mutual respect and regular discussions;
Ability to establish and sustain professional credibility with clients/stakeholders in a manner that anticipates their need, mitigates issues and that carefully balances professional obligations with the need to be sensitive and responsive to their needs;
Ability to counsel, advise, consult and guide others on matters pertaining to assigned client service responsibilities and established client service standards.
Demonstrate respect for cultural differences, fairness and ability to relate well with people from varied backgrounds, nationality, gender, ethnicity, race and religion;
Understanding of diverse cultural views especially within West Africa, with sensitivity to group differences; ability to challenge bias and to practice tolerance and empathy;
Ability to listen actively, consider people’s concerns and apply judgement, tact and diplomacy;
Ability to work in a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from diverse strengths;
Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
Ability to encourage, empower, and advocate for people in an unbias and transparent manner.
Knowledge of ECOWAS institutions, sectors, programmes and policies;
Knowledge of ECOWAS internal operational requirements of programs, projects, services and systems required to achieve work assignments and meet performance goals;
Knowledge of rules and procedures of ECOWAS associated assigned responsibilities and ability to explain these clearly to others;
Knowledge of the ECOWAS culture, structures and performance issues and priorities impacting assigned responsibilities;
Knowledge of member states development trends, indicators, challenges and opportunities as it relates to project/programme assigned to own position.
Ability to study data/information from a variety of sources, identify anomalies, trends and issues, present findings, and make recommendations;
Ability to break down problems or processes into key parts to identify and solve gaps in service, quality assurance, compliance and performance targets;
Knowledge of and ability to apply techniques to generate creative ideas and new approaches to meeting goals;
Ability to use evidence and research to inform policies and programs and identify relevant and appropriate sources of information, including stakeholders, regional institutions and/or internal committees.
Ability to study data/information from a variety of sources, identify anomalies, trends and issues, present findings, and make recommendations;
Ability to break down problems or processes into key parts to identify and solve gaps in service, quality assurance, compliance and performance targets;
Knowledge of and ability to apply techniques to generate creative ideas and new approaches to meeting goals;
Ability to use evidence and research to inform policies and programs and identify relevant and appropriate sources of information, including stakeholders, regional institutions and/or internal committees.
Ability to develop, implement an individual action plan for achieving specific work goals;
Identify ,organize and monitor tasks throughout to facilitate execution;
Ability to contribute and/or lead on projects as per accepted project management standards and techniques, to co-ordinate contributions by others to set and meet deadlines;
Ability to organize work, set priorities, and work within timelines, giving attention to details, stakeholders, indicators and risks.