Information Officer, Outreach at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Job Code: ECW/CCJ/IO/001
Grade: P3 / P4

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the HOD Public Information /External Relations, the Information Officer Outreach shall assist the Public Information Officer to coordinate and manage all the activities relating to the dissemination of information, communication, sensitization, and awareness creation of the Court’s activities, Vision, and Mission using traditional and modern social media fora.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide technical input in the design and development of the Court’s Communication Strategy.
• Assist in the coordination and implementation of the Court’s Communication Strategy.
• Undertake advocacy, communication, and dissemination of the Court’s programmes.
• Support the content creation and regular updating of the Court’s Website.
• Work closely with Registry staff to collect and collate information on the Court’s activities and ensure that they are adequately disseminated in a timely manner.
• Collaborate closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to facilitate the dissemination of court rulings and decisions.
• Actively participate in information learning and sharing, including identification and dissemination of best practices in legal matters within the region.
• Actively participate in the documentation and dissemination of information on regional legal issues such as human rights issues, gender related legal matters, etc.
• Develop an advocacy agenda on critical legal issues.
• Document advocacy results and monitor policy implementation.
• Disseminate draft legal resolutions and recommendations.
• Utilize traditional and social media forums (Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) to disseminate information and the outcomes of the executed programs, indicating their correlation with the defined indicators in the Court’s priority objectives and strategic objectives.
• Develop strategic alliances to influence country and regional legal policies and frameworks on Governance and the rule of Law, promoting respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, consolidating the rule of law, and enhancing justice delivery.
• Undertake all other activities that would maintain and reinforce the visibility of the Court’s activities at the regional, continental, and global levels.
• Submit monthly reports that show progress and bottlenecks associated with communication and advocacy of the Court’s activities.
• Assist in the architecture and development of an intranet for the Court.
• Assist visiting officials and Court officials in organising and covering press conferences as necessary.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Qualifications and Experience
Educational Qualification:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Mass Communication or related field from a recognised university.

Experience:

• 5 years’ experience in journalism, communications, and public relations.
• Knowledge in developing communication strategies and plans, internal and external communications.
• Ability to coordinate and manage complex communication campaigns and events.
• Ability to conceptualise and contribute to the design of communication campaigns that target larger audiences.
• Ability to use traditional and social media forums (Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc).
• Proven knowledge of communication and the ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships.

ECOWAS Key Competencies
P3-02-01 - Leadership:

• 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.
• The 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 the organisational unit’s performance goals and standards.

P3-03-01 - Client Service Orientation:

• Interpersonal skills with the 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 needs, mitigates issues and 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.

P3-04-01 - Multicultural Sensitivity and Advocacy:

• 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.

P3-05-01 - Knowledge of ECOWAS:

• 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, 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.

P3-06-01 - Analytical and Critical Thinking:

• 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.

P3-07-01 - Communication:

• 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.

P3-08-01 - Planning and Implementation:

• 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 coordinate 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.

Eligibility:

• Must be a citizen of an ECOWAS Member State.
• Must not be more than 50 years of age at the time of recruitment. This does not apply to internal candidates.