PROGRAMME OFFICER- Direct Tax & Fiscal Transition

Applications should be sent to: b45podirecttaxfiscaltransit@ecowas.int

Deadline For Application : 15th May 2024

ROLE OVERVIEW

Under the direct supervision of the PPO Domestic Taxes, the incumbent will develop and implement the ECOWAS Acts (Supplementary Acts, Regulations, and Directives) on direct tax matters and any other related regulatory texts governing intra-Community trade

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Initiate actions for a qualitative and quantitative improvement in the volume of revenue generation from direct taxes by Member States
• Build the capacity of public and private actors on the legal and regulatory provisions for the possible harmonization of Personal and Corporate Income Tax within the ECOWAS space.

• Initiate work leading to the simplification and harmonization of Personal and Corporate Income tax procedures in the region.
• Build capacities of tax administrations to conduct risk-based tax audits of complex and specialized sectors using computer assisted audit techniques.
• Create and manage a stakeholder-accessible internet database on Community adopted Direct Tax legislations.
• Monitor and facilitate the implementation of Directive C/DIR.5/07/23 on the creation of the institutional mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the ECOWAS Tax Transition.

• Analyze and draft the relevant correspondences and reports for seamless implementation of the tax reforms under the Tax Transition Programme.
• Develop and implement relevant direct tax policies within the Tax Transition Programme
• Work closely with Member States Focal Points to facilitate the implementation of adopted Community Acts on direct taxes:

• 1. Supplementary Act A/SA.6.12/18 adopting Community rules for the elimination of double taxation with respect to taxes on income, capital and inheritance and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance within ECOWAS Member States

1. Supplementary Act A/SA.3/07/23 on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters between ECOWAS Member States.

• Directive C/DIR.2/07/23 on the harmonization of rules on Beneficial Ownership of legal Entities within ECOWAS Member States.

1. Directive C/DIR.4/07/23 on the harmonisation of the methodology for evaluation of Tax Expenditures in ECOWAS Member States.
2. Directive C/DIR.6/07/23 on the harmonisation of Transfer Pricing rules within ECOWAS Member States.
3. Directive C/DIR.7/07/23 on model Code of Ethics and Conduct for Tax Administrations in ECOWAS Member States.

• Prepare and organize relevant regional meetings on direct taxes.
• Undertake desk research on topical direct tax issues.
• Collaborate and network with other regional and international institutions such as West Africa Tax Administrations Forum (WATAF), West African Union of Taxation (WAUTI), African Tax Administrations Forum (ATAF), Organisation for Economic-Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Bureau of Fiscal Development (IBFD) on direct taxes.
• Undertake any other assignment from the Director of Customs Union and Taxation, and the PPO Domestic Taxes

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS

• Holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Taxation, Business Administration, Economics, Law or any other relevant field from a recognized University.

• Must have five (5) years’ professional experience, with no less than three (3) in the administration of direct taxes.
• Good understanding of regional economic integration issues.
• Must have good grasp of the direct taxation and harmonization of direct taxes.
• Must have proven knowledge of the constraints in application of direct taxes within the ECOWAS Community.

• Professional experience with a tax administration in the Community would be an asset.
• A good grasp of direct tax legislation of Member States in the region would be an asset.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues.

• Must be able to work in a multicultural setting.
• Must be computer literate.

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 the 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 subordinates to build strong working relationships and improve performance.
• Contribute to maintaining organizational unit’s performance goals and standards.
• Interpersonal skills with the ability to keep a client informed of progress or setbacks in projects of relevance to the 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 needs, 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 unbiased 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.
• Demonstrate operational computer proficiency using appropriate tools.
• Ability to make sound use of graphics and tables to effectively present numerical data to write semi-complex technical reports/proposals and edit/check templates, letters, etc.
• Ability to convey information clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner through both writing and verbal means,
• Exhibit interpersonal skills, make presentations, express opinions, and debate ideas with others in a constructive manner.
• 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 develop and 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.
• Ability to identify, collect and assess indicators to monitor performance and to take proactive remedial action as required.

Assessment Method: Assessment of qualified candidates may include a written exercise and a competency-based interview.