Programme Officer, Power System and Energy Security at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Full Time

Job Title: Programme Officer Power System and Energy Security

Job Code: 20003542
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Grade: P3/P4
Department: Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization
Status: Permanent
Directorate: Energy and Mines
Division: Conventional Energy (Power, Hydrocarbon)
Line Supervisor: Principal Programme Officer Conventional Energy (Power, Hydrocarbon)

Role Overview

• The Program Officer Power System and Energy Security shall work in the Directorate of Energy and Mines under the direct supervision of Principal Programme Officer Conventional Energy (Power, Hydrocarbon).
• He/She shall be responsible for the implementation of all the activities related to the planning, supply, and use of electric power and the diversification of energy sources, under the coordination of the Principal Programme Officer.

Role and Responsibilities

• Assist in developing and harmonizing power policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks in the region.
• Undertake activities to strengthen the governance in the energy sector and improve the power system security.
• Assist the development of the ECOWAS Generation and Transmission Master Plan and monitor its implementation by WAPP.
• Support activities related to the development of the regional power market.
• Set up a Regional Energy Information System. Ensures coordination with existing stakeholders and institutions having energy-related databases, including ECOWAS specialized energy agencies.
• Ensure the harmonization of the definition of the energy sector indicators in the region.
• Formulate and implement regional projects and programs in the power sector to improve the energy security in the region and to strengthen Member states’ capacities.
• Assist in the implementation of programs, projects, and activities within the framework of the regional regulation of the electricity sector.
• Coordinate with regional funding mechanisms and partners and oversee donor coordination mechanisms in the power sector.
• Develop partnerships and support the mobilization of funds for the development and implementation of regional power projects.
• Develop initiatives and ensure monitoring of relevant studies to resolve the main issues of the ECOWAS Energy sector (security of payment, revenue collection, technical losses, etc.)
• Coordinates with regional and sub-regional bodies and with Member States at the technical level on issues related to energy security.
• Develop and strengthen technical cooperation and partnership with the international power organization.
• Represents the ECOWAS Commission at the International meeting on power issues.
• Perform any other related tasks as may be assigned by the Supervisor / Director.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Power Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Energy Security, or any similar field from a university of recognized standing.
• Minimum of Five (5) years of active professional work experience conducting activities in connection with power and energy security, within a public or private entity or within a regional organization.
• Good knowledge of the power sector and related issues at the national and regional level.
• Strong understanding of the multiple components that contribute to policymaking, project and programs development, and implementation in this sector.

AgeLimit:

• 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 instil a spirit of teamwork to engage employees and achieve a well-defined set of activities.
• Ability to respect the chain of command appropriately.
• 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 the 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, mitigate 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 about 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, nationalities, genders, ethnicities, races, and religions.
• 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 judgment, 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, programs, 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 they relate to the project/program 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 coordinate 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.

Annual Salary
UA56,591.37 / USD 89,289.87.

Application Closing Date
15th May, 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.