Program Officer, Communication / Knowledge Management at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Job Code: 20003133
Grade: P2/P3

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) Director, the incumbent is responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of a communication and knowledge management strategy and communicating to the Director any information considered relevant regarding Youth and Sports issues.

Role and Responsibilities

• Advise line supervisor on all communication and knowledge management matters requiring their attention.
• Develop and manage an ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) Communication plan.
• Coordinate development of a common ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) Communication Strategy (radio, TV programmes, electronic newsletter, website, Corporate Information Kit, press events/ reporting on EYSDC events)
• Write articles/stories for the regular newsletters/publications of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) and on other communications materials.
• Liaise with the ECOWAS Communications Directorate on the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) contribution to the preparation and implementation of a harmonized ECOWAS publications policy to ensure that all major documents produced by the EYSDC are readily available in a standardized format.
• Establish, monitor and regularly up-date an internal ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) information data base to be shared by all relevant programme officers.
• Develop and enrich the contents of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC), ECOWAS Volunteers Programme and other related websites in collaboration with the Webmaster.
• Facilitate Improvement of the visibility of ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) programmes and activities by producing timely, adequate, and coherent reports and messages to be conveyed to the public, donors, partners and stakeholders.
• Lead the production of ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) publications, materials, including best practices, articles, op-ed, to be disseminated in local and international newspapers, websites, and other media, including social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc as authorized by the supervisor).
• Coordinate the organization of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) media events and visibility programmes and activities.
• Maintain and regularly update the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) and associated websites including the establishment and management of a picture data base to document ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) programme activities across the region and worldwide.
• Guide, build when required and support communication partnerships with NGOs, national media network, other networks on youth and sports and volunteering.
• Coordinate the production of weekly and monthly news briefs for the Director and elaborate the quarterly or regular programme visibility and implementation report of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC).
• Coordinate the drafting of speeches and remarks to be delivered by the Director for occasions.
• Organize/attend meetings, press briefings and other public events as needed.
• Participate in research, analysis and ensure the monitoring of information on communication products.
• plan, coordinate and control communication and visibility activities of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC).
• Facilitate internal and external visibility of the actions and results of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC).
• Facilitate efficient reporting on activities implemented and the results to the Director.
• collect and process information from various relevant sources.
• analyse current issues and assess their potential impact.
• Identify and propose topics for the information bulletin, data sheets, public announcements or press releases and other promotion tools.
• Coordinate processing of interview requests.
• Participate in the sensitization activities of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) in the region.
• Coordinate processing of various requests for information from third parties.
• Promote partnerships with the civil society, particularly the media.
• Support the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC)’s relations with national Units and other partners.
• Implement best practices in advocacy and communication, particularly by keeping sustained relationship with the project’s partners.
• Undertake other tasks as required and assigned by the Director.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Mass Communication or any related field from a recognized University.
• 3 years responsible experience in editorial best practices, journalism, desktop publishing, including typography and layout, or related fields.
• Knowledge of strategy and guidelines for ECOWAS internal communications.
• Knowledge of policies, processes and procedures related to the communication, production, and dissemination of information.
• Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships.
• Sound knowledge and use of the social media as effective communication tool.

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
USD 53,824.43 -  USD 62,699.75 annually.