Programme Officer, Alternative Energy Development and Energy Transition at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Job Code: 20003547
Grade: P3/P4

Role Overview

• The Program Officer Alternative Energy Development and Energy Transition shall work in the Directorate of Energy and Mines under the direct supervision of Principal Programme Officer Energy Access and Alternative Energy.
• He/She shall be responsible for the implementation of all the activities related to the development of new sources of energy and cleaner energy, under the coordination of the Principal Programme Officer.

Role and Responsibilities

• Assist in developing policies and strategies for the development and increase of use of alternative energy in the region.
• Promote the development of renewable solutions to strengthen access to electricity in the region.
• Ensure the readiness of Member states toward the transition to clean fuels in the region (biogas and biofuel) through the development of a regional capacity building program.
• Initiate the development of pilot investment programs for scaling up the production and access to biofuels in the region.
• Ensure coordination at the national and regional levels of the renewable energy unit and energy efficiency contributions with the regional initiatives toward an efficient energy transition.
• Coordinate the development and promotion of member states investment programs to increase access to productive use of alternative energy.
• Assists Member States to define national strategies and policies for the development of alternative energy solutions and ensures regional/national synergies.
• Coordinate the technical development of regional funding mechanisms to support the development of alternative energy projects in Member states.
• Establish a coordination mechanism with the National and Regional Multi-sectoral groups on renewable energy promotion.
• Coordinates ECOWAS activities with its various partners on energy transition solutions and works to expand relevant partnerships.
• Increase synergy with the ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Centre (ECREEE) for the regional programs on renewable energy at national and regional levels.
• Develop and strengthen the cooperation with regional and sub-regional bodies with international organizations on alternative energy.
• Represents ECOWAS Commission at the International meeting related to alternative energy.
• Initiates projects and prepares project documents, monitors, and evaluates project implementation.
• Performs any other related tasks as may be assigned by the PPO Energy Access and Alternative Energy.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) in Power Engineering, Renewable Energy, Electromechanical Engineering, or a similar field from a university of recognized standing.
• Minimum of five (5) years of active professional work experience conducting activities in connection with alternative energy development and energy, within a public or private entity or a regional organization.
• Good knowledge of the power sector and issues related to alternative energy promotion at the national and regional level as well as financing mechanisms.
• Strong understanding of the multiple components that contribute to policy making, project and programs development, and implementation in this sector.

Age Limi:

• 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 appropriately.
• 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 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, mitigate 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 about 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, nationalities, genders, ethnicities, races, and religions.
• 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, programs, 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 they relate to the project/program 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 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.

Annual Salary
UA56,591.37 / USD 89,289.87