Program Officer Internet and Cybersecurity at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

ROLE OVERVIEW

• The Program Officer Internet and Cybersecurity will work under the supervision of the Principal Program Officer Internet, Cybersecurity & e-Applications to promote the development of internet use and services as well as conduct activities towards the securing the ECOWAS cyberspace.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct projects and initiatives aimed at fostering the development of Internet and the fight against cybercrime.
• Promote affordable Internet access and services in the ECOWAS region.
• Contribute to the implementation of ECOWAS cybersecurity agenda.
• Contribute to the definition of needs and requirements from Member States in the region on Cybersecurity and cybercrime.
• Prepare related assessment reports in order to ensure that needs of Member States are well identified in terms of Cybersecurity and cybercrime.
• Follow the evolution of major trends in regulatory, policy and legislation in the areas of responsibility (Internet and Cybersecurity)
• Analyse, identify internet policy and regulatory issues, requiring the attention of the ECOWAS region.
• Conduct the West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF) and coordinate the Internet Governance position for West Africa for adoption by Member States governments.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Business Systems Analysis & Design, Information Systems Management, or any related ICT field from a university of recognized standing
• At least 5 years progressively responsible experience in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field, specifically in relation to ICT applications and Internet
• Knowledge and practical experience in managing data base, projects planning, web design, development, implementation and maintenance of information and communication technologies.
• good knowledge of International Organization ICT infrastructure and its strategy as it relates to user area(s);
• Knowledge of all aspects of the design, development, management, implementation, and maintenance of complex web projects using web content management systems and technologies.
• Knowledge of relevant high-level web programming languages (PHP, ASP, ASP.NET, HTML, CSS, etc.) and programming skills, including structured/object-oriented design, relational systems (MS-SQL/MySQL), web platforms (Linux/Apache/Windows), scripting (JavaScript, jQuery, Perl, Linux shell scripts) and query languages
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to document problems.
• Effective time management skills and multi-tasking capabilities
• Ability to draft precise and complete analytical reports.
• Ability to work independently and effectively all at levels of a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written

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 instil 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 the 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 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 judgment, 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, 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.