·        PPO Information and Communication

·        Office Manager

·        Office Aide

Applications should be sent to: b46drcommunication@ecowas.int

ROLE OVERVIEW

Under the supervision of the Secretary General, ECOWAS Commission, the Director of Communication is responsible for managing and directing all communication activities of the Commission and building external relationships with the Commission’s constituencies, including the media, ECOWAS Member States, ECOWAS Technical Partners and Donors. The Director serves as the Commission’s representative in terms of Communication.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·        Be responsible for the entire Communications Directorate by allocating appropriate talent and resources in all communications initiatives and guides them to completion.

·        Lead in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the annual communications plan for the Commission and execute key elements of the plan while simultaneously providing guidelines, tools, templates, and role delegation for elements in the execution of the plan.

·        Lead in the generation of online content that engages the ECOWAS Commission, Member States, Technical Partners and the public and results to measurable action. Recommend who, where, and when to disseminate.

·        Establish communications vehicles in order to create momentum and awareness of all ECOWAS projects and activities as well as to test the effectiveness of communications activities.

·        Perform day-to-day leadership functions including continued establishment and follow up on the department’s strategic direction, as well as defining priorities and coordinating cross-functional initiatives.

·        Establish meaningful relationships internally across all the Departments of the Commission and externally with the public and media leading to an increased generation of content in the media, Member State forums, and on social media platforms.

·        Manage development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic materials including, but not limited to, newsletters, brochures, and ECOWAS Commission website.

·        Set and guide the strategy for all communications, website, and public relations messages and collateral to articulate consistently ECOWAS mission.

·        Mentor and lead, in collaboration with the Director of Information Technology Services, team members responsible for ECOWAS Commission website administration and coordination.

·        Coordinate webpage maintenance—ensure that new and consistent information (article links, stories, and events) is posted regularly.

·        Coordinate and organize annual meetings that engage the network’s stakeholders and manage all media contacts.

·        Perform any other duties as assigned.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

·        Master’s degree (or equivalent) in public relations, mass communication or related field from a recognized University.

·        Twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience in journalism, strategic communications, public information, or international relations, of which at least 6 years are relevant to international work and 5 years at a supervisory level.

·        Proven ability to develop content and implement complex strategic communications strategies to broaden awareness of programmes and priorities, and increase their visibility across key audiences, including the media.

·        Demonstrated knowledge of communications and public information approaches and tools, including social media.

·        Proven ability to provide sound editorial judgment on issues, including politically sensitive issues, and to make decisions with an eye on the impact to stakeholders and intended results.

AGE LIMIT

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

ECOWAS KEY COMPETENCIES

·        Senior leadership experience in establishing strategic partnerships, working collaboratively and building consensus with multiple internal and/or external stakeholders on complex issues in a multi-disciplinary governmental or international organization.

·        knowledge of the ECOWAS mandate, strategic plan/priorities as well as the economic, political and social state/trends of member States, as pertains to own scope of work.

·        Consistency on actions, values, methods, confidentiality, ethics, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes which connote 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 exemplify 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 equality 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 coupled with a broad knowledge of the economic, political, and social situations and trends in member States.

·        Sound judgment and decision-making skills 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 analyze reports as well as socio-economic and institutional dynamics and recognize areas of potential obstacles or challenges 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 actively listen and understand perspectives of others to make informed assertions, decisions or recommendations.

·        Ability to build multiple external collaborative relationships 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 promote 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 of the Community (English, French & Portuguese). Knowledge of an additional one will be an added advantage.

·        Ability to prepare plans, set clear objectives in a consistent manner and have effective oversight of performance management practices to ensure that 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, mobilize/engage people, identify critical success factors, mitigate risks, monitor indicators and feedback, initiate corrective measure, and build capacities for sustainability.

·        Ability to institute rigorous monitoring, and evaluation practices and to learn from setbacks and mistakes to ensure continuous improvement.