Program Officer (PO), Aviation Safety and Security 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: Program Officer (PO), Aviation Safety and Security

Job Code: 20003241
Location: Abuja
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Grade: P3/P4
Status: Permanent
Department: Infrastructure, Energy & Digitalization
Directorate: Transport
Division: Air Transport
Line Supervisor: PPO, Air Transport

Role Overview

• The Programme Officer (PO), Aviation Safety & Security, under under the supervision of the Principal Programme Officer, Air Transport, is a Civil Aviation Engineer.
• He/She is working in the Air Transport Division of the Infrastructure Department and on safety and security regulations.

Role and Responsibilities

• Advice on the preparation and implementation of Aviation Technical Regulations in compliance with the ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and ICAO Annexes and legal instruments especially the Cape Town Convention and Protocol.
• Develop short-, medium- and long-term aviation projects, programs and plans for the planning, harmonization and coordination of national aviation technical regulations including aviation security regulations.
• Follow up the development of airport infrastructure, equipment and facilities, the coordination of the Air Navigation Services Providers (ANSP) in the region such as ASECNA, NAMA, Roberts FIR, Accra FIR and Cabo Verde FIR.
• Contribute to the Certification of all ECOWAS international airports including regular APEX review and reporting, as well as prevention of bird hazard.
• Contribute to the implementation of the ICAO Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and the CNS/ATM including cooperation with EGNOS Africa JPO for an efficient use of satellites to improve air navigation and Aviation Safety/Security/Climate Change.
• Disseminate, sensitize, Implement, assess and follow up the level of implementation by the Member States of the Supplementary Act A/SP.11/02/12 dated 17 February 2012, relating to Common Rules on Aviation Security in ECOWAS Member States.
•  Contribute to the establishment of a regional pool of aviation security (AVSEC) Experts.
• Contribute to the implementation of the joint ECOWAS/ICAO Roadmap relating to the Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS).
• Monitor and coordinate the activities of the sub-regional organizations for aviation safety oversight organizations such as the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO) and the ACSSA/UEMOA as well as the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Bureau (BAGAIA), with a view to harmonize interventions under ECOWAS.
• Contribute to the establishment of a unique Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (E-RSOO) in West Africa.
• Contribute to the establishment of a unique Accident Investigation Bureau in West Africa and to a regional mechanism for Search and Rescue in ECOWAS region.
• Develop and maintain good relations with the International Civil Aviation organization (ICAO), the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), the World Food Program (WFP) as well as with other Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and integration organizations such as West African and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and Banjul Accord Group (BAG) Secretariat.
• Implement of policy decisions / directives of ECOWAS Authority on air transport matters.
• Design of short-, medium-, and long-term work programs and action plans for the implementation of the ECOWAS regional integration strategic plan for air transport sector.
• Sensitize of member States on the need and monitor their compliance with regional Decisions and Directives on air transportation.
• Assess of regional air transport needs and identify and prepare programs and projects and mobilize funds for implementation in consultation with stakeholders (government administrations, air services providers, private sector investors, and international partners).
• Provide business support functions including financial management of projects, assistance with the procurement of goods and services, preparation of bids and submissions, and the development and mentoring of other staff.
• Contribute to fund mobilization with donors, partners for sustainable development of air transport sector.
• Organize and participate in ECOWAS Statutory and various other regional air transport meetings. Preparation of documentation, writing of meeting reports and dissemination of meeting outcomes, decisions and directives to all stakeholders and follow-up on implementation.
• Prepare annual work plans and budgets for air transport activities in line with the Commission’s strategic framework.
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the Management of ECOWAS Commission, the Commissioner in-charge of Air Transport, the Director of Transport, or his appointed officials.

Academic Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualifications in Aviation Safety, Engineering, or related technical discipline in air transport from a reputable University.
• At least 5 years post qualification experience in a civil aviation administration, airline, airport authority or similar aviation related organization, at regional / international level.
• At least 5 years’ experience in Aviation Safety & Security related schedules in a reputable governmental, or international institution.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with senior government officials, partners, international agencies and professional associations in the air transport sector, policy makers and civil aviation administrations.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely and to articulately present reports.
• Initiative taking, ability to take proper judgement, and thoroughness in work delivery.
• Ability to work in a team and to establish a good team spirit, in a multi-national environment.
• Ability to use personal computers and contemporary software.

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 the 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 the 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 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/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
UA49,106.81 -  UA56,591.37 / USD77,480.72 -  USD 89,289.87 Annually.

Application Closing Date
9th November, 2024.

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

Click here to download the application form (Docx.)

Note

• Assessment of qualified candidates may include a written exercise and a competency-based interview.
• Potential candidates must be under 50 years of age.
• Female applications are encouraged.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applications initially submitted with only the CV remain acceptable.