IT & Communication Officer at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Full Time

Job Title: IT & Communication Officer

Location: Banjul, Gambia
Job Code: 20003603
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Grade: P3/P4
Agency: ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA)
Status: Permanent
Department: Economic Affairs & Agriculture
Directorate: Office of The Executive Director
Division: Office of The Executive Director
Line Supervisor: Executive Director

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the Executive Director, ERCA, the incumbent shall be responsible for all communications regarding the Agency and resolve all Information Technology implementation issues and provide support on all IT-related concerns and requirements.

Role and Responsibilities

• Carry out the implementation of the Agency’s’ IT Plan and ensure its effective coordination.
• Ensure data security for the Agency.
• Support the development and implementation of information technology services initiatives and systems at the Agency.
• Evaluate connectivity issues, equipment, software, and hardware.
• Respond to issues, hardware maintenance and software networking.
• Train staff of the Agency about IT.
• Structure, collect, process, and disseminate information on ERCA’s activities.
• Assist in enhancing and promoting ERCA’s projects, programmes activities and achievements.
• Assist in continuous improvement of internal and external communication of ERCA.
• Contribute to the definition, development and implementation of communication plans and strategies.
• Contribute to content and design of various publications.
• Implement successfully public awareness campaigns on the organisation’s activities.
• Strong computer skills (Word, Power point & Internet surfing).
• Draft speeches, communiques, press releases and reviews.
• Design and structure press kits.
• Design advertisements.
• Assist in drafting and designing the Agency’s’ information bulletin.
• Produce Regular updates for content of the Agency’s’ website.
• Provide continuous information to a dedicated network of regional and international media.
• Media coverage and support for communication related needs for meetings, press conferences, seminars etc.
• Assist in the coordination of interviews and media interactions for ERCA’s management with local, regional, and international press.
• Initiate partnerships and establish strong networks with regional and international media to increase visibility and raise awareness about ERCA’s activities.
• Carry out any other assignment that may be assigned and regularly at short notice.
• Perform any other task assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Communications and Public Relations; Computer Engineering, Business Systems Analysis & Design, Information Systems Management or any related ICT field from a recognized University.
• 5 years’ experience in, communications and public relations planning, web design, development, implementation and maintenance of information and communication technologies.
•  Knowledge in developing communication strategies and plans, internal and external communications.
•  Ability to coordinate and manage complex communication campaigns and events.
• Ability to conceptualize and contribute to the design of communication campaigns that target larger audiences.
• Proven knowledge of communication and the ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships.
• Good knowledge of ECOWAS ICT infrastructure and its strategy as it relates to user area(s);
• Knowledge of all aspects of the design, development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex web projects using web content management systems and technologies.
• Knowledge of relevant high-level web programming languages (PHP, ASP, ASP.NET, HTML, CSS, etc.) and programming skills, including structured/object-oriented design, relational systems (MS-SQL/MySQL), web platforms (Linux/Apache/Windows), scripting (JavaScript, jQuery, Perl, Linux shell scripts) and query languages.

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 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 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 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, genders, ethnicities, races, 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.

Salary
USD62,213.20 – USD72,846.21 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.