Director of External Relations, April 2024

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.

Director of External Relations

Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Agency: N/A
Department: Office of the President
Directorate: External Relations
Division: N/A
Line Supervisor: President of the Commission
Grade: D1

Role Overview

The incumbent shall provide the Commission with information on mechanisms to build effective partnerships that can draw the required financial resources for the implementation of projects, programmes and policies, in line with ECOWAS strategic vision. S/he shall coordinate the full range of the Commission’s external relations policies and programmes.

Supervising:

Resource Mobilisation and Coordination
Relations with ECOWAS Member States
Office Manager
Office Aide.

Role And Responsibilities

Develop and implement effective mechanisms for the coordination of the Commission’s resource mobilisation strategies in line with ECOWAS strategic vision;
Develop mechanisms to monitor and coordinate resource mobilisation with development partners in accordance with the directives of the President of the Commission;
Harmonise resource mobilisation activities in line with ECOWAS strategic vision;
Develop and implement mechanisms for the implementation of partnership policies and strategies;
Prepare technical notes for the President for audiences and various meetings with external partners;
Manage the Commission’s relations with different stakeholders involved in the regional integration process and implementation of the Commission’s programmes;
Develop and implement mechanisms for effective coordination of relations with ECOWAS National Offices and Permanent Representations in Abuja;
Develop and implement procedures to monitor relations with civil society organisations in conjunction with the relevant departments;
Develop and ensure the maintenance of a database to adequately monitor partnerships;
Manage the accreditation process for new ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations to the Commission;
Perform any other tasks assigned by the President of the Commission.

Academic Qualifications And Experience

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration or a related field from a recognized university;
12 years progressively responsible experience in providing strategic analysis and policy advice, including experience in international organizations;
Possesses expert knowledge of advanced concepts of dialogues with regional counterparts and other stakeholders to strengthen advocacy efforts, incorporating country, regional and global perspectives, as well as an in-depth knowledge of relevant ECOWAS policies and procedures;
Strong knowledge and understanding of ECOWAS’ role in African and international affairs, and good understanding of ECOWAS rules, regulations, policies and guidelines and their applications;
Experience working with Member States, Diplomatic corps and Intergovernmental organizations;
Sound experience in resource mobilization and coordination;
Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of stakeholder management, communication, project management and Partners’ management practices and procedures.

Age Limit:

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

Ecowas Key Competences:

Recent and progressive senior leadership experience in establishing strategic partnerships, working collaboratively and building consensus with multiple internal and/or external stakeholders on complex issues in multi-disciplinary governmental or international organizations;
Knowledge of the ECOWAS mandate, strategic plan/priorities;
Exhibit consistency on actions, values, methods, confidentiality, ethics, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes which connotes a deep commitment to do the right thing for the right reason, regardless of the circumstances;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Heads of Institutions, elected officials and statutory employees to facilitate compliance, build engagement, resolve conflicts and obtain support for change;
Ability to respect chain of command in an appropriate manner;
Ability to promote a culture where people hold themselves personally accountable for results;
Ability to provide leadership, management, and technical oversight for all project activities and program deliverables in accordance with ECOWAS legal and administrative practices and standards;
Ability to conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with the ECOWAS performance management system and to mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork;
Ability to oversee project management, internal controls and stewardship of financial resources and to address issues in a confident and capable manner whilst making decisions that exemplifies impartial and non-partisan decision-making.
Ability to exercise the initiative and resourcefulness necessary for simultaneously addressing a variety of stakeholder needs, pursuing multiple tasks and achieving positive outcomes;
Ability to create synergies with client groups and others to achieve objectives in setting and monitoring service standards and indicators;
Ability to motivate and engage others in promoting or adopting best practices in client services;
Ability to identify and improve services and client interactions through appropriate networks and to create innovative ways of addressing these in an accountable and transparent manner.
Knowledge of anti-discriminatory/human rights regulatory environment and ability to advance strategies to foster an inclusive working environment and healthy organization respectful of cultural diversity and gender balance and free from harassment and discrimination;
Understanding of diverse cultural views especially within West Africa, being sensitive to group differences, gender issues and ability to contribute to, advocate for, and/or develop policies which are gender sensitive and responsive to various cultures;
Ability to foster a diverse and inclusive interactive work environment that can effectively bring together a wide spectrum of ideas and experiences to solve problems, develop projects/programs and improve results;
Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
Ability to remain objective in managing conflict regardless of cultural differences /positions, gender differences, and encourage other staff to overcome cultural and gender bias and differences.
Understanding of the ECOWAS organizational structure, workplace culture and dynamics;
Ability to apply knowledge of ECOWAS legal framework, strategic priorities and operational standards to develop/modernize policies and programs and/or to implement policies and programs in a sustainable and effective manner;
Well-developed business, social and political acumen, demonstrating a strong commitment to the vision and mandate of ECOWAS;
Ability to judge and make decision on matters relating to policy and strategy development important to the realization of the ECOWAS mandate and the improvement of outcomes for member states.
Ability to write reports and to analyze reports, and to determine areas of potential obstacles or challenge and develop innovative solutions or alternatives to address barriers and achieve strategic/operational priorities;
Ability to anticipate and interpret the effects of environmental changes (social, economic and political), and its impact and make recommendations;
Ability to identify/address strengths and weaknesses, stimulate creativity, reduce resistance to change and improve the achievement of strategic objectives;
Ability to make prudent decisions relating to the management of human, financial and material resources;
Ability to coordinate development partners’ project/programmes cycle management, and to ensure their successful implementation
Ability to actively listen and understand perspectives of others to inform assertions, decisions or recommendations;
Ability to build multiple external collaborative relationships and networks to support strategic and operational objectives; identify the key issues and accommodate the key players with well thought out communication and stakeholder management plans;
Ability to communicate with clarity and conviction, make compelling presentations which promotes new insights, ideas and perspectives and a better understanding of issues and challenges;
Exhibit active listening skills to encourage stronger communication amongst team members, to show care and make them feel valued and to drive employee engagement in all institutions and agencies;
Excellent negotiation and conflict management skills focusing on building and nurturing effective and collaborative relationships;
Proficiency in information communication technologies (ICT);
Fluency in oral and written expressions in one of the ECOWAS official languages (English, French & Portuguese). Knowledge of an additional one will be an added advantage.
Superior planning skills exemplified by setting clear expectations and conducting consistent and effective oversight of performance management practices to ensure goals and standards are met;
Ability to set effective goals/results and manage change in a manner that demonstrates resilience, composure and a positive outlook in an environment of uncertainty and ambiguity;
Ability to enable the development of organizational and individual talent throughout the implementation of strategic, operational, programme, project and individual plans;
Ability to implement plans, mobilizing/engaging people, identifying critical success factors, mitigating risks, monitoring indicators and feedback, initiate corrective measure and building capacities for sustainability;
Ability to institute rigorous monitoring, and evaluation practices and to learn from setbacks and mistakes to ensure continuous improvement.

Annual Salary
UA81,435.54,USD128,488.99.

Method of Application

Director of External Relations – [email protected]

Interested and qualified candidates should download the Application Form below, fill it out correctly; attach a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Motivation Letter and send

Click here to download Application Form (Ms Word)

Click here for more Information

More Information

Job City Abuja

Abuja

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Before the creation of ECOWAS, the collective territory known as West Africa, from a regional point of view, was made up of an aggregation of states that had emerged from different colonial experiences and administrations which largely defined the boundaries of the 15 states domiciled in the area.

Even though member states of the community, today make use of three different imported official languages (English, French and Portuguese), there are well over a thousand existing local languages including cross-border native tongues such as Ewe, Fulfulde, Hausa, Mandingo, Wolof, Yoruba, Ibo, Ga, etc. that constitute its over 300 million people tucked in a vast land of about 5.1 million square kilometres.

Prior to colonialism, the area played host to many proud empires and kingdoms that spanned centuries some of which included Ghana, Mali Songhai, Wolof, Oyo, Benin and Kanem Bornu.

The region’s cultural, linguistic and ecological diversity presents both opportunities and challenges for the integration process. The longing to combine forces politically and economically has always been recognised as a step forward in the desire to engender co-prosperity in the area.

In this regard, the first effort at integration dates back to 1945 with the creation of CFA franc that brought the francophone countries of the region into a single currency union. Then in 1964, Liberian president William Tubman proposed an economic union for West Africa leading to an agreement which was signed in 1965 by the four states of Cote d’Ivore, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

However, nothing concrete emanated from these until 1972 when Nigerian head of state Gen Yakubu Gowon and his Togolese counterpart Gnassingbe Eyadema toured the region in support of the integration Idea. Thanks to the drafts that emanated from their efforts as they formed the basis for the emergence of the treaty of Lagos in 1975 which birthed ECOWAS. The treaty of Lagos was initially limited to economic policies but emerging political events led to its revision and therewith the expansion of scope and powers in 1993.

ECOWAS is meant to foster interstate economic and political cooperation. History is on its side in this regard. Dating back to pre-colonial times, West Africans have been among the world’s most mobile populations although much of the migration had been intra-regional. About 7.5 million West African migrants (3 percent of the regional population) are living in ECOWAS countries other than their own. The 1.2 million other migrants are dispersed mainly in North America and Europe. Estimated at about 149 million in 2013, women constitute over 50 percent of the region’s population. The cross-border migration of women as traders and business persons places them as potential champions for promoting integration, even though this is a reality that is yet to be fully exploited.

Over the last few years, West Africa’s population witnessed strong growth, increasing from 70 million to nearly 300 million inhabitants between 1950 and 2010. By the end of 2014, it represents nearly 40% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa. According to the projections of the United Nations, the population of West Africa should reach between 550 and 600 million by 2050. It is the youngest region of the world. Also, with about 5 percent of the world’s population, with an area covering over 40 percent of sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa is the most densely populated on the continent.

The diverse socio-cultural dimension of development should be a necessary building block for establishing peace and security in the region. Drawing strength from its past, leaders of the community have been making sacrifices to keep the shape of the political structure of the region. In 1976, Cape Verde, one of the two Lusophone countries in the region joined ECOWAS, and in December 2000 Mauritania withdrew its membership, having a

At all times, ECOWAS chief executive officers presiding either as Executive Secretaries or Presidents, deferred to the supreme organ of the community-the Authority of the Heads of State of Government for guidance. This body is usually headed by a Chairman. There have been 28 such Chairmen between 1978 to 2015.

0 USD Abuja CF 3201 Abc road Full Time , 40 hours per week Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Director of External Relations

Institution: ECOWAS Commission Agency: N/A Department: Office of the President Directorate: External Relations Division: N/A Line Supervisor: President of the Commission Grade: D1Role Overview

The incumbent shall provide the Commission with information on mechanisms to build effective partnerships that can draw the required financial resources for the implementation of projects, programmes and policies, in line with ECOWAS strategic vision. S/he shall coordinate the full range of the Commission’s external relations policies and programmes.

Supervising:

Resource Mobilisation and Coordination
Relations with ECOWAS Member States
Office Manager
Office Aide.

Role And Responsibilities

Develop and implement effective mechanisms for the coordination of the Commission’s resource mobilisation strategies in line with ECOWAS strategic vision;
Develop mechanisms to monitor and coordinate resource mobilisation with development partners in accordance with the directives of the President of the Commission;
Harmonise resource mobilisation activities in line with ECOWAS strategic vision;
Develop and implement mechanisms for the implementation of partnership policies and strategies;
Prepare technical notes for the President for audiences and various meetings with external partners;
Manage the Commission’s relations with different stakeholders involved in the regional integration process and implementation of the Commission’s programmes;
Develop and implement mechanisms for effective coordination of relations with ECOWAS National Offices and Permanent Representations in Abuja;
Develop and implement procedures to monitor relations with civil society organisations in conjunction with the relevant departments;
Develop and ensure the maintenance of a database to adequately monitor partnerships;
Manage the accreditation process for new ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations to the Commission;
Perform any other tasks assigned by the President of the Commission.

Academic Qualifications And Experience

Master's degree (or equivalent) in International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration or a related field from a recognized university;
12 years progressively responsible experience in providing strategic analysis and policy advice, including experience in international organizations;
Possesses expert knowledge of advanced concepts of dialogues with regional counterparts and other stakeholders to strengthen advocacy efforts, incorporating country, regional and global perspectives, as well as an in-depth knowledge of relevant ECOWAS policies and procedures;
Strong knowledge and understanding of ECOWAS’ role in African and international affairs, and good understanding of ECOWAS rules, regulations, policies and guidelines and their applications;
Experience working with Member States, Diplomatic corps and Intergovernmental organizations;
Sound experience in resource mobilization and coordination;
Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of stakeholder management, communication, project management and Partners’ management practices and procedures.

Age Limit:

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

Ecowas Key Competences:

Recent and progressive senior leadership experience in establishing strategic partnerships, working collaboratively and building consensus with multiple internal and/or external stakeholders on complex issues in multi-disciplinary governmental or international organizations;
Knowledge of the ECOWAS mandate, strategic plan/priorities;
Exhibit consistency on actions, values, methods, confidentiality, ethics, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes which connotes a deep commitment to do the right thing for the right reason, regardless of the circumstances;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Heads of Institutions, elected officials and statutory employees to facilitate compliance, build engagement, resolve conflicts and obtain support for change;
Ability to respect chain of command in an appropriate manner;
Ability to promote a culture where people hold themselves personally accountable for results;
Ability to provide leadership, management, and technical oversight for all project activities and program deliverables in accordance with ECOWAS legal and administrative practices and standards;
Ability to conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with the ECOWAS performance management system and to mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork;
Ability to oversee project management, internal controls and stewardship of financial resources and to address issues in a confident and capable manner whilst making decisions that exemplifies impartial and non-partisan decision-making.
Ability to exercise the initiative and resourcefulness necessary for simultaneously addressing a variety of stakeholder needs, pursuing multiple tasks and achieving positive outcomes;
Ability to create synergies with client groups and others to achieve objectives in setting and monitoring service standards and indicators;
Ability to motivate and engage others in promoting or adopting best practices in client services;
Ability to identify and improve services and client interactions through appropriate networks and to create innovative ways of addressing these in an accountable and transparent manner.
Knowledge of anti-discriminatory/human rights regulatory environment and ability to advance strategies to foster an inclusive working environment and healthy organization respectful of cultural diversity and gender balance and free from harassment and discrimination;
Understanding of diverse cultural views especially within West Africa, being sensitive to group differences, gender issues and ability to contribute to, advocate for, and/or develop policies which are gender sensitive and responsive to various cultures;
Ability to foster a diverse and inclusive interactive work environment that can effectively bring together a wide spectrum of ideas and experiences to solve problems, develop projects/programs and improve results;
Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
Ability to remain objective in managing conflict regardless of cultural differences /positions, gender differences, and encourage other staff to overcome cultural and gender bias and differences.
Understanding of the ECOWAS organizational structure, workplace culture and dynamics;
Ability to apply knowledge of ECOWAS legal framework, strategic priorities and operational standards to develop/modernize policies and programs and/or to implement policies and programs in a sustainable and effective manner;
Well-developed business, social and political acumen, demonstrating a strong commitment to the vision and mandate of ECOWAS;
Ability to judge and make decision on matters relating to policy and strategy development important to the realization of the ECOWAS mandate and the improvement of outcomes for member states.
Ability to write reports and to analyze reports, and to determine areas of potential obstacles or challenge and develop innovative solutions or alternatives to address barriers and achieve strategic/operational priorities;
Ability to anticipate and interpret the effects of environmental changes (social, economic and political), and its impact and make recommendations;
Ability to identify/address strengths and weaknesses, stimulate creativity, reduce resistance to change and improve the achievement of strategic objectives;
Ability to make prudent decisions relating to the management of human, financial and material resources;
Ability to coordinate development partners’ project/programmes cycle management, and to ensure their successful implementation
Ability to actively listen and understand perspectives of others to inform assertions, decisions or recommendations;
Ability to build multiple external collaborative relationships and networks to support strategic and operational objectives; identify the key issues and accommodate the key players with well thought out communication and stakeholder management plans;
Ability to communicate with clarity and conviction, make compelling presentations which promotes new insights, ideas and perspectives and a better understanding of issues and challenges;
Exhibit active listening skills to encourage stronger communication amongst team members, to show care and make them feel valued and to drive employee engagement in all institutions and agencies;
Excellent negotiation and conflict management skills focusing on building and nurturing effective and collaborative relationships;
Proficiency in information communication technologies (ICT);
Fluency in oral and written expressions in one of the ECOWAS official languages (English, French & Portuguese). Knowledge of an additional one will be an added advantage.
Superior planning skills exemplified by setting clear expectations and conducting consistent and effective oversight of performance management practices to ensure goals and standards are met;
Ability to set effective goals/results and manage change in a manner that demonstrates resilience, composure and a positive outlook in an environment of uncertainty and ambiguity;
Ability to enable the development of organizational and individual talent throughout the implementation of strategic, operational, programme, project and individual plans;
Ability to implement plans, mobilizing/engaging people, identifying critical success factors, mitigating risks, monitoring indicators and feedback, initiate corrective measure and building capacities for sustainability;
Ability to institute rigorous monitoring, and evaluation practices and to learn from setbacks and mistakes to ensure continuous improvement.

Annual Salary UA81,435.54,USD128,488.99.

Method of Application

Director of External Relations - [email protected]

Interested and qualified candidates should download the Application Form below, fill it out correctly; attach a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Motivation Letter and sendClick here to download Application Form (Ms Word)Click here for more Information

2020-01-30

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Jan
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30

Director of External Relations 431 views5 applications

More Information

NGO Jobs in Africa | NGO Jobs