PROGRAMME OFFICER- Indirect Tax and Fiscal Coordination

Applications should be sent to: b45poindirecttaxfisicalcoord@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 indirect tax matters and any other related regulatory texts governing intra-Community trade.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build the capacity of public and private actors on the legal and regulatory provisions of the ECOWAS Directives on the harmonization of Value Added Tax (VAT) and Excise Duties.
• Build the capacities of tax administrations on Excise Duties, and VAT
• Sensitize public and private sector actors on the legal and regulatory provisions of adopted Community Acts on indirect taxation.
• Create and manage a stakeholder-accessible internet database on the harmonized products and rates of the Member States as approved under the ECOWAS Community Acts on indirect taxation.
• Work with Member States to ensure the creation of a mechanism for the effective implementation of adopted Community Acts on indirect taxes:

• 1. Directive C/DIR.1/12/17 on the harmonization of Excise Duties on Tobacco products in ECOWAS Member States

1. Directive C/DIR.3/7/23 on the harmonization of the legislations of ECOWAS Member States on Excise Duties.

• Directive C/DIR.8/07/23 harmonizing the laws of the ECOWAS Member States on Value Added Tax (VAT).

• Provide advice on conflicts that may arise in the implementation of the Directives on the harmonization of Excise Duties and VAT.
• Analyze and draft relevant correspondences and reports for a smooth implementation of the ECOWAS Directives and related regulatory texts governing intra-Community trade.
• Prepare and organize relevant regional meetings on indirect taxes.
• Undertake desk research on topical tax policy issues on indirect taxation.
• 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), Organization for Economic-Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Bureau of Fiscal Development (IBFD) on indirect 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.

• Must have five (5) years professional experience, with no less than three (3) years in the administration of indirect taxes.
• Must have good grasp of the ECOWAS Directives on harmonization of Excise Duties and VAT.
• Must have proven knowledge of the constraints in the harmonization of indirect taxes within the ECOWAS Community.
• Professional experience with a tax administration in the Community would be an asset.
• A good grasp of indirect tax handles, VAT, and Excise Duty legislations 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.