Director, Administration and Finance – WAHO at the 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: Director, Administration and Finance – WAHO

Job Code: 20001054
Location: Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Institution: West African Health Organization (WAHO)
Grade: D1
Status: Permanent
Directorate: Administration and finance
Division: Public health
Line Supervisor: Director General, Principal Accountant, Principal Administration and Human Resources Officer
Supervising:  Principal Officer, Conference & Language Services, Office Manager and Office Aide

Job Summary

• Under the supervision of the Director General, the incumbent shall be responsible for interpreting governing bodies’ vision and policy directions, defining, and ensuring the achievement of goals and objectives in line with the mandate of the Institution.
• She/he shall provide leadership and management to major sector(s) of technical activities.
• In addition, the incumbent shall also be responsible for coordinating the financial, administrative, and human resources activities of the Organization.
• He or she provides guidance for the preparation of the annual budget of the Organization and advises all departments and staff on financial matters and those relating to the preparation of budgets.
• She/he must ensure strict budget compliance, monitor and justify the use of all accounts.
• The safety of staff and WAHO’s property fall under the incumbent’s purview, thus assurance of sound policies and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Clearly communicate the vision of the institution to staff, explain how the department’s activities fit into it and explain the strategies for carrying out the required tasks.
• Demonstrate an ability to adapt to rapid technical, political, social, or economic
• Maintain constant contact with other directors within the Institution to ensure harmony of work with other departments.
• Plan annual goals, objectives, activities, and budget tied to the Institution’s overall
• Measure and monitor goal achievements; negotiate suitable adjustments to goals and
• Contribute to the implementation of the annual operational
• Ensure the implementation of the performance-based results concept within the
• Organize the Directorate in an efficient manner, with clear reporting lines, minimal bureaucracy, and an optimal level of delegation of authority and
• Work closely with the relevant Directorates to ensure efficient and effective services such as recruitment, performance decisions, promotions, and related
• Ensure that administrative and financial policies and procedures are strictly adhered to and deadlines are met, without compromising the quality of
• Oversee the individual performance planning process of staff within the directorate, using the systems in place for performance planning and evaluation.
• Provide instant and periodic feedback to staff on their work and
• Ensure the planning, coordination, and control of the activities of the Finance
• Foster a favorable working climate within the institution to encourage staff
• Coordinate the administrative and financial management of WAHO and in accordance with the ECOWAS regulations.
• Coordinate the drafting of (draft and final) WAHO’s annual
• Coordinate the various administrative duties and
• Ensure Human, material resources and service management under conditions that may be determined by regulations.
• Ensure that the budget is executed in strict accordance with laid down accounting procedures and ECOWAS Rules and Regulations.
• Operate, monitor, and justify the utilization of the organization’s accounts. (All bank accounts shall be operated only with prior authorization from the Director General and shall be in the name of WAHO).
• Sole legal custodian of administration of all funds, holdings and cheque books placed under the control of the Division.
• Financially responsible for all operations of WAHO and be responsible for the safe keeping of the accounting records of the Organization.
• Co-signatory of all cheques drawn in the bank accounts of the
• Keep account of all funds and assets in such form as may be approved by ECOWAS Financial
• Forward monthly and annual reports to the Director General, as provided for by the Financial Regulations of ECOWAS/WAHO.
• Ensure the establishment of sound Human Resources Management, Administrative, Procurement, IT and Conference and Language Services Policies.
• Supervise the activities of the directorate’s
• Directly supervise the technical design or implementation of programmes, in an area where he/she has high-level expertise.
• Represent ECOWAS in technical meetings or working groups; Deliver speeches, negotiate agreements, mediate in disputes.
• Conduct or participate in technical missions in connection with projects and programmes.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Accounting, or Finance, or Business Administration, or Economics, or relevant qualification in a similar discipline from a recognized University.
• 12 years of progressively responsible experience in managing finance and budget operations administration, financial management, or related field, including 6 years of relevant international work experience and 5 years at a supervisory
• Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) budgeting and innovation in line with public finance reform.
• Budgetary management skills, as well as a keen sense and in-depth knowledge of institutional
• Demonstrated professional ability and mastery of principles, techniques and practices related to one or more specialized services in a broad range of human resources, financial, IT, procurement communication, conference, language service, records management, and general administrative areas in international and/or public sector
• Knowledge of financial and budgetary principles and practices, budget development and financial
• Ability to develop budget policies, new policy, or programme
• Knowledge of technical approaches to budgetary and procurement issues and
• Professional Qualifications such as ACCA, ACA, CIMA, ICA, CPA.

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
• 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 the chain of command in an appropriate
• Ability to promote a culture where people hold themselves personally accountable for
• Ability to provide leadership management, and technical oversight for all project activities and program deliverables in accordance with ECOWAS legal and administrative practices and
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Understanding of diverse cultural views especially within West Africa, being sensitive to group differences, and gender issues and ability to contribute to, advocate for, and/or develop policies that are gender sensitive and responsive to various
• 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
• Ability to remain objective in managing conflict regardless of cultural differences /positions, and gender differences, and encourage other staff to overcome cultural and gender bias and
• Understanding of the ECOWAS organizational structure, workplace culture and
• 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
• Ability to make prudent decisions relating to the management of human, financial and material
• Ability to actively listen and understand the 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 that promote new insights, ideas and perspectives and a better understanding of issues and
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Ability to enable the development of organizational and individual talent throughout the implementation of strategic, operational, programme, project, and individual
• Ability to implement plans, mobilize/engage people, identify critical success factors, mitigate risks, monitor indicators and feedback, initiate corrective measures, and build capacities for
• Ability to institute rigorous monitoring, and evaluation practices and to learn from setbacks and mistakes to ensure continuous improvement.

Assessment method:

• Assessment of qualified candidates may include a written exercise and a competency-based interview.

Salary
UA64,033.75/USD 101,030.87 Annually.

Application Closing Date
6th November, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Click here for more details