Program Officer, Sanitation at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Officer, Sanitation

Job Code: 20003777
Location: Ouagadougou, Burkinafaso
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Grade: P3/P4
Status: Permanent
Agency: Water Resources Management Centre
Department: Infrastructure, Energy And Digitalization
Division: Water Supply And Sanitation
Line Supervisor: Principal Programme Officer, Water Supply And Sanitation

Role Overview

• Under the Supervision of the Principal Programme Officer, Water Supply and Sanitation, the incumbent shall be responsible for the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Sub-Programme.
• He/She shall also monitor the water sanitation and hygiene work plans, budgets and expenditures and contribute to the preparation of reports.

Role and Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of sanitation policies and strategies.
• Monitor water mobilization for all uses (agriculture, livestock, water supply, electricity, fisheries, river transport, etc.)
• Contribute to the Development and implementation of a regional sanitation support program.
• Design and implement a sanitation database.
• Ensure the participation of member states in the achievement of the Commission’s objectives by monitoring the adoption   and implementation of common policies by states.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of integrating and structuring projects for the benefit of the Community’s local authorities.
• Mobilization of Technical and Financial Partners for the implementation of sanitation initiatives, programs, and projects.
• Participate in the implementation of regional agreements and initiatives related to sanitation management.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to design and implement comprehensive sanitation strategies, including infrastructure development, behaviour change campaigns, and community engagement activities.
• Advocate for improved sanitation policies, regulations, and standards at local, regional, and national levels.
• Prepare regular reports, progress updates, and case studies on sanitation programs for internal and external stakeholders.
• Stay updated on emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in the field of sanitation, and incorporate relevant knowledge into program design and implementation.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of sanitation programs and make data-driven recommendations for improvement and scalability.
• Any other duties assigned from time to time by the PPO Water Supply and Sanitation

Academic Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) in Hydraulic, Water Management, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Regional Planning and Development, Rural Development, Environment Science, Forestry, or a related field from a recognized University.
• 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in water-related fields and implementation of biodiversity and water-related projects.
• Solid understanding of water resources, management and use and ability to keep abreast of developments in the field.
• Excellent knowledge of water sector policies and projects, intra-regional and regional cooperation activities in the water sector, and the role of water resources in developing rural economies and reducing poverty.
• Demonstrated professional skills and abilities related to best practices in programme and project management associated with water management.

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 the subordinates to build strong working relationships and improve performance.
• Contribute to maintaining organizational unit’s performance goals and standards.
• Interpersonal skills with 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 need, 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/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, 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.

Annual Salary

• UA39,738.72 / USD62,699.75 - UA46,539.98 / USD73,430.77.

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.

Click here to download the application form (Docx.)

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.