Director, Macroeconomic Stability and Multilateral Surveillance at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Role Overview,

• Under the guidance and supervision of the Commissioner, Economic Affairs and Agriculture, the incumbent shall oversee the activities of the Monetary and External Sectors. He/She shall also be responsible for the Multilateral Surveillance Mechanism, implementation of the Roadmap for the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme and ensuring effective harmonization of the policies associated with monetary union. The incumbent will lead and oversee the development and implementation of policies, strategies, and initiatives related to macroeconomic stability and multilateral surveillance.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement a mechanism of ensuring the effective harmonization of policies for the
• creation of a monetary union within the framework of the ECOWAS Monetary Cooperation
• Program.
• Develop and implement a mechanism for the effective monitoring and evaluation of the economies of the sub-region and ensure its strict compliance by Member States in accordance with the approved convergence criteria.
• Develop a mechanism for ensuring the effective coordination of the activities of the institutional
• organs of the multilateral surveillance mechanism.
• Coordinate the design and conduct of special studies on the ECOWAS Monetary Cooperation
• Program and African Monetary Cooperation Program.
• Enhance cooperation and collaboration with other Regional Economic Communities (REC’s),
• regional and non-regional financial institutions on monetary cooperation and macroeconomic surveillance.
• Implement the ECOWAS Multilateral Surveillance Mechanism and the roadmap for the ECOWAS single currency programme.
• Supervise the coordination and preparation of the ECOWAS Interim and Annual reports and institutional coordination between ECOWAS Commission and international financial and developmental organisations.
• Coordinate the implementation of Joint Secretariat activities for institutional convergence between ECOWAS and other regional institutions.
• Supervise the harmonization and implementation of Public Finance Frameworks across the region.
• Establish a mechanism for the effective management of the Directorate of Macroeconomic Stability and Multilateral Surveillance including the preparation of monitoring and evaluation reports on a timely basis.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government officials, central banks, international organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Lead and coordinate efforts in multilateral surveillance, including participating in international forums and representing the organization in relevant discussions.
• Engage with stakeholders to exchange information, share best practices, and promote collaboration in monitoring and addressing global economic imbalances and risks.
• Provide timely analysis and reports on global economic developments, including country assessments, policy recommendations, and potential systemic risks.
• Develop and implement strategies to promote macroeconomic stability and enhance multilateral surveillance efforts.
• Analyze global economic trends, risks, and challenges to inform the development of policy recommendations and initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal teams, government agencies, and international organizations to align strategies and foster cooperation Perform any other assigned task by your supervisor.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Economics, Statistics or in a similar field from a recognized University.
• 12 years of significant experience in the macroeconomic policy analysis and development planning field with demonstrated experience in policy analysis techniques and development indicators, including 6 years of relevant international work and 5 years at a supervisory level.
• strong knowledge of macroeconomic stabilization policies including monetary and fiscal policies, development finance and public and private financing, and the ability to steer macro econometric forecast modelling and policy simulations and apply their results to sustainable development policies.
• knowledge of the broader conceptual issues for developing national macroeconomic and
• financing for development policies and strategies, and their implications for regional cooperation and development; strong economic, financing for development, and statistical background.
• knowledge of relevant econometric or statistical software used in the areas of
• macroeconomic policy, regional cooperation, development finance and research.
• Proven experience in the formulation and implementation of multilateral surveillance mechanisms among Member States with at least eight (8) years of practical working experience.
• Proven working experience in the formulation and implementation of economic policies at the national and international levels.
• Proven experience in drawing up an economic and financial report.

AGE LIMIT

• Be below 50 years old. This provision does not apply to internal candidates.

KEY ECOWAS COMPETENCIES

• Recent and progressive 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.
• 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; develops a culture where people hold themselves personally accountable for results.
• Ability to provide leadership, management, and technical oversight for all project activities and program deliverables in accordance with ECOWAS legal and administrative practices and standards. (e.g. Code of Ethics, Procurement Code, legal institutional framework).
• 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 exemplifies 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 outcomes.
• Ability to create synergies with client groups (e.g. ECOWAS institutions/specialized agencies, management cadre, member-state representatives, programme interest groups) and other 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 services (e.g. dashboards, incentive management, feedback mechanisms);
• Well-developed 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 manner. (e.g. public/private partnerships, service level agreement, feedback loops, surveys).
• Knowledge of anti-discriminatory/human rights regulatory environment and ability to advance strategies to foster an inclusive, healthy organization, respectful of the cultural diversity and gender of people and their skills and free from harassment and discrimination.
• Sound understanding of diverse cultural views especially within west Africa, being sensitive to group differences, gender issues and ability to contribute to, advocate for, and/or develop policies which are gender neutral and sensitive to various cultures.
• Ability to create 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 to remain objective during appraisals, evaluations and when managing conflict regardless of cultural differences positions or opinions while encouraging staff to overcome cultural barriers and background differences., bias or sympathy towards a select group.
• Practical understanding of the ECOWAS organizational structure, workplace culture and dynamics with a keen ability to identify/address strengths and weaknesses, stimulate creativity, reduce resistance to change and improve the achievement of strategic objectives.
• 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 state/trends of 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 Western Africa and its member-states.
• Ability to analyze reports/dashboards as well as dynamics between people and between organizations and recognize areas of potential obstacle or challenge and develop solutions or alternatives to remove barriers and achieve strategic/operational priorities.
• Ability to anticipate the effects of environmental changes (e.g. economic trends, social crisis), interpret context and implications of key issues and develop and make sound recommendations.
• Ability to inform an analysis by way of a thorough understanding of the environment, of well thought out insights and meaningful dialogues.
• Ability to make prudent decisions relating to the management of human, financial and material resources, considering both quantitative and qualitative sources of information.
• Ability to actively listen to understand the impact of issues and perspectives of others before making assertions, decisions, or recommendations.
• Builds multiple external collaborative relationships to support strategic and operational objectives; identifies the key issues and accommodates the key players with well thought out communication and stakeholder management plans.
• Ability to communicate with clarity and conviction, make compelling presentations which promote new insights, ideas and perspectives and a better understanding of issues/challenges.
• Proficiency in oral and written French and English languages with the ability to give honest feedback, recognize performance and manage non-performance while creating opportunities for open and constructive dialogue.
• Excellent negotiation and conflict management skills focusing on building and nurturing effective and collaborative relationships.
• Fluency in one of the three ECOWAS official languages (English, French & Portuguese).
• Superior planning skills exemplified by setting clear expectations and conducting consistent and effective oversight of performance management practices to ensure 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 ambiguity.
• Ability to enable the development of organizational and individual talent throughout the implementation of strategic, operational, programme, project and individual plans.
• Ability to implement plans, mobilizing/engaging people, identifying critical success factors, mitigating risks, monitoring indicators and feedback, initiating course corrections and building capacities for sustainability.
• Ability to institute rigorous monitoring, and evaluation practices and to learn from setbacks and mistakes to ensure continuous improvement.