Program Officer (PO), Transport Economist at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Role Overview

• The Program Officer (PO), Transport Economist, under the direct supervision of the  Program Officer, Corridor Development and Logistics, will work on economic impacts in all transportation mode.

Role and Responsibilities

• Provide expertise in transport economics and analysis on projects in all transportation modes.
• Analyze and appraise the economic impact of transportation project options and make clear recommendations.
• Provide technical advice and analysis for the development of policies, strategies and innovative projects in the transport sector including issues of transport network development, road asset management and multimodal logistics, in the context of sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.
• Devise methods and procedures for obtaining data, understanding various sampling techniques that may be used to conduct different types of surveys.
• Interpret data and analyzing data to test the effectiveness of current policies, products or services and advising on the suitability of alternative courses of action and the allocation of scarce resources.
• Create, as well as using, various econometric modelling techniques to appraise projects and proposed interventions to advise on their feasibility.
• Develop, in collaboration with development partners such as the World Bank, AfDB, Economic Commission of Africa, Africa Development Bank etc., to contribute to the improvement of the transport system in the region.
• Evaluate past and present economic issues and trends, writing various technical and non-technical reports on economic trends and forecasts to inform the press and public.
• Appraise the economic impact of transport infrastructure developments by assessing the costs and benefits, while considering potential job creation of inward investment projects
• Support the Directorate of Transport to develop and maintain the Community’s expertise on the entire transport system (Air, Maritime, Rail and Road Transport) to meet the strategic goals of the Commission and West Africa.
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned by PPO Maritime and Transport Facilitation of Corridors and the Director of Transport or Commissioner.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent in Transport Economics, Planning, Engineering or related discipline.
• At least 3 years of cognate experience in Transport Economic Appraisal or Evaluation for public or private sector institutions.
• Must have been involved in at least 3 years cognate work experience in Transport project identification, preparation, program design, execution, monitoring, and evaluation at the regional or international level.
• Handled at least two (2) project assignments as a transport economist with a private sector firm or a Public Institution.
• Minimum of 2 years of extensive and progressive experience in identifying a rationale, specifying objectives, appraisal (compare the costs of the project with its benefits both social and financial), monitoring implementation evaluation of a transport project and collating feedback to inform future projects.
• Extensive relevant work experience in planning, programming, and implementation cross-border (multi-national) transport Corridor Projects.
• Have at least two (2) years of experience in the development of transport infrastructure and services (combination of regulated/deregulated and public/private services), with proven experience in at least two modes key transport systems, including planning, design, operation, financing and regulation.
• Must have public and/or private sector experience involving PPPs for transport infrastructure development, concessions, or privatization.
• Ability to undertake research, understand financial markets and work through statistics.
• Good communication skills for influencing groups of peers and stakeholders outside the organization (public speaking, writing, persuasiveness, credibility, negotiation, problem-solving)
• Good interpersonal social skills for working with peers and subordinate staff (listening ability, approachability, clear oral expression)
• Must have implemented at least two (2) projects using development partners’ procurement and disbursement procedures especially for European Union, World Bank, DFID, AfDB, JICA etc.
• Must be computer literate.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.

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.