Director of the PPDU at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Full Time

Job Title: Director of the PPDU

Job Code: 20000366
Location: Lome, Togo
Grade: D2
Department: Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation
Line Supervisor: Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization
Supervising: Head of Project Preparation Division, Head of Administration and Finance Division, Office Manager & Office Aid

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, the Director of the PPDU acts as the main representative of the PPDU in its relations with all key stakeholders.
• He/she leads a team of experts under the supervision of the PPDU Steering Committee, in consultation with the ECOWAS Commission’s Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization and the national or intergovernmental structures responsible for preparing infrastructure projects, the private sector and technical partners.
• This collaboration makes it possible to prepare and develop regional integration projects in the infrastructure sector in ECOWAS Member States and to promote public and private sector investment in infrastructure.

Role and Responsibilities

• Leads the identification, selection, and prioritization of regional integration infrastructure projects in consultation with the ECOWAS Commission, Member States, and the private sector.
• Initiates and/or carries out the studies and activities required to prepare and develop infrastructure projects with a view to making them bankable.
• Oversees the management of infrastructure project preparation funds and all other funds made available to it.
• Ensures that the PPDU serves as a regional focal point for capacity building of similar structures in ECOWAS Member States.
• Leads the mobilization of resources required for the preparation and development of infrastructure projects.
• Helps to create an attractive climate for financing and investment in regional infrastructure projects.
• Negotiates and concludes cooperation and/or partnership agreements with regional and sub-regional institutions for the preparation and development of infrastructure projects.
• Monitors and evaluates the implementation of projects supported by the PPDU.
• Agi as the main representative of the PPDU in its relations with all the key stakeholders.
• Undertakes the process and conducts the recruitment of staff in accordance with the relevant organizational structure and procedures, as adopted by the PPDU/ECOWAS Steering Committee.
• Enhances the Unit’s reputation through the quality of the projects it prepares.
• Carries out any other tasks that may be assigned to it by the UPDP Steering Committee.
• Prepares the ECOWAS Infrastructure Strategy Paper in order to contribute to sectoral discussions initiated by technical ministries and national or
• intergovernmental structures for the
• preparation of infrastructure projects in ECOWAS member countries and helps to inform the state and non-state players concerned about the content of the Strategy Paper.
• Carries out annual, mid-term and end-of-term reviews of programmes and projects initiated.
• Draws up a roadmap for the implementation of the Financing and/or Technical Assistance Agreements, in liaison with the prime contractors and/or technical and financial partners.
• Contributes to the implementation, as soon as possible and in liaison with the technical and financial partners, the technical ministries, the project preparation structures of the countries concerned and the private sector, of the actions to be taken to initiate the implementation of the Conventions (preparation of the Terms of Reference for the recruitment of offices and technical assistance, etc.).
• Ensures that the required documents are approved by the technical and financial partners: ToRs, tender documents, and programme.
• Develops the budget programme in collaboration with other professional staff covering infrastructure funds and other costs to ensure the success of the Unit’s objectives for the period.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognised university in Civil Engineering or any Master’s degree (or equivalent) in applied Sciences related to Infrastructure from a recognised university; or a Master’s degree in Economics, Business Administration or Finance.
• Have a total of fifteen (15) years’ experience acquired progressively in a position of responsibility in the development of infrastructure projects, including at least seven (7) in the field of issues relating to the ECOWAS region; have practical experience of working with Member States, delegations, and international organizations; have proven experience of planning, financing and supervising programmes and projects.
• Proven experience in infrastructure projects would be an additional advantage.
• Leadership experience as an executive or agency head of a regional or international organization.
• Knowledge of policy and strategy development, change management and related issues with broad geographic outcomes/impacts.
• Ability to lead the development, management and review of reports and other documents on technical and strategic issues.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS policies, management systems, administrative, budgetary, and staffing systems, procedures, and regulations.
• Demonstrate progressively responsible experience in managing strategic partnerships, collaboration, and multi-stakeholder consensus-building on critical or complex issues.
• Demonstrated skills in the preparation, development, design, and implementation of infrastructure/public-private partnership (PPP) financing projects, including feasibility studies, procurement, and contract management.
• Proven knowledge of PPPs in the infrastructure sector and full certification in PPPs by a recognized international body.
• Proven ability to effectively manage teams to deliver programmes with strategic vision and operational focus.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in building strategic partnerships, collaboration, and consensus-building with multiple stakeholders (particularly national governments).
• Be able to negotiate and conclude cooperation and/or partnership agreements with regional and international institutions in the field of infrastructure project preparation and development.
• Experience in mobilizing resources from donors/development partners and in financing.
• The term of office of the Director of the PPDU is five (5) years, renewable once (Article 8.2e of ECOWAS Regulation C/REG.5/08/11).

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 in 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 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 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.

Salary
USD119,107.02 Annually.

Application Closing Date
6th March, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their correctly filled Application Form, Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Motivation letter to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Note

• Female applications are encouraged.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications initially submitted with only the CV remain acceptable.
• ECOWAS does not charge a fee for recruitment and will not request for your account details.