Director, Digital Economy & Post at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Grade: D1
Location: Abuja
Status: Permanent
Directorate: Digital Economy & Post Division
Department: Telecommunications & Information Technology
Line Supervisor: Commissioner Telecommunications & Information Technology

Description
Supervising:

• Telecoms & Post Policy And Regulations (P5)
• Internet, Cybersecurity & E-Applications (P5)
• Office Manager (G5/G6/G7)
• Office Aide (G1/G2/G3)

Role Overview

• The Director, Digital Economy & Post, under the guidance of the Commissioner Telecommunications & Information Technology, is responsible for the operational policy and strategy for digital economy and post development activities in the region and the coordination of the implementation of programmes, projects and activities for socio-economic growth of the ECOWAS Region and its Member states.

Role and Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement an ECOWAS Post and Telecommunication/ICT Policy and Regulatory framework towards the development of a digital economy in the region;
• Develop the regional strategy for the promotion of Telecommunication/ICT services and applications including Internet in the region;
• Conduct policy and program dialogues with Member States on issues relating to Internet development and ICT emerging issues such 5G, Artificial Intelligence;
• Engage in advocacy on cybersecurity and cybercrime at the national, regional, and international levels for a more secure cyber environment in the ECOWAS region;
• Promote the development of broadband Infrastructure, particularly mobile broadband network as well as good management of Scare Resources (numbering and radio-frequency spectrum);
• Provide leadership towards the development of the regional Observatory on Post and Telecommunication/ICT;
• Develop and plan the annual goals, objectives and budget of the Directorate in line with the Commission’s overall strategies and plans;
• Oversee the implementation of initiatives, projects and programs of the Directorate;
• Maintain functional and technical cooperation networks with heads of relevant regional and international organizations in the fields of the Post, Telecommunication/ICT and cybersecurity;
• Oversee the preparation of periodic budget implementation and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) reports.

Academic Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Telecommunications/ICT, Electronics Engineering, Postal Services or any related field from a recognized university;

Experience:

• 12 years progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, development and implementation in the telecommunications/ICT sector and 5 years at a supervisory level;
• Knowledge of telecommunications technologies and postal services for large and complex organizational environments, with a focus on improving operations, enabling transformation and leading the management of information and resources;
• Proven mastery of large, complex telecommunications/ICT and postal projects, which may contain significant scope, ambiguity, risk & geographical diversity;
• Demonstrated competence to drive the development, review and communicate ICT policies, regulations and standards throughout the ECOWAS community, with an ability to engage member states institutions on developing an economically enhancing ICT policy frameworks.

Age Limit:

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

ECOWAS Key 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;
• 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 work;
• 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 promote 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;
• 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 motivate and engage others in promoting or adopting best practices in client services;
• 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 sensitive and responsive to various cultures;
• 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 work;
• Ability to remain objective in managing conflict regardless of cultural differences /positions, gender differences, and encourage other staff to overcome cultural and gender bias and differences.
• Understanding of the ECOWAS organizational structure, workplace culture and dynamics;
• 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;
• 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 objectives;
• Ability to actively listen and understand perspectives of others to inform 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 which promotes new insights, ideas and perspectives and a better understanding of issues and challenges;
• 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 set effective goals and manage change in a manner that demonstrates resilience, composure and a positive outlook in an environment of uncertainty and ambiguity;
• Ability to implement plans, mobilizing/engaging people, identifying critical success factors, mitigating risks, monitoring indicators and feedback, initiate corrective measure and building capacities for sustainability.

Annual Salary
UA 81,435.54 (USD 128,488.99)