Program Officer, Strategic Planning Coordination – P3/P4 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: Program Officer, Strategic Planning Coordination – P3/P4

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

Role Overview

Under the supervision of the Principal Programme Officer for Planning, Programming and Coordination, the Programme Officer, 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

Support in the overall implementation of strategic planning activities in the ECOWAS Institutions in line with the Community Strategic Frameworks and other strategic planning guidelines;
Assist in ensuring that multi-year strategic plans and annual work planning processes are well coordinated in line with the recommended timelines and guidelines;
Assists with project management and coordination/development of work plans, deliverables, and activities;
Contribute to preparation of annual, quarterly, and detailed implementation work plans, and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of the component activities;
Provides advisory services to heads of directorates, divisions and programme officers in the development of annual work plans;
Provide inputs to programme / project designs, including comments on project documents, support development of theory of change and results matrixes from planning, monitoring and evaluation perspectives;
Ensure the collection and analysis of data and relevant studies on strategic planning taking into account developmental trends;
Ensure availability of an up-to-date information on all critical issues on strategic planning; initiate and design analytical and technical reports, including assessments and studies in support to strategic planning efforts the regional and national level, including baseline assessments and methodological recommendations;
Maintain regular contact with the heads of Directorates, divisions and programme offices,to keepthem awareof strategic documents andto seekfeed-backfrom them sothat the organization can effectivelyimplementits programmewith continuous improvement;
Contribute to the development and refinement of ECOWAS long term vision and medium term strategic framework;
Prepare medium to long range studies, as wellasdeveloptheoveralllogicin preparation of long term strategic plans;
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 workgoals;
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.