Programme Officer Public Accounting, Budgeting And Public Procurement at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

ROLE OVERVIEW

• Under the guidance and direct supervision of the PPO Public Finances & External Debt, the incumbent is responsible for the implementation of a strategy for the harmonization of public accounting, budgeting, and public procurement in the region. The ideal Candidate is a Public Finance Expert with excellent knowledge of Public Finance Frameworks in ECOWAS Member States.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review of current policies and legal frameworks of public finance management in Member States.
• Assessment and review of national budgeting policies and practices including legal frameworks in Member States.
• Assessment and review of the various public accounting policies and practices including legal frameworks in Member States.
• Assessment and review of the various public procurement policies and practices including legal frameworks in Member States.
• Formulate and implement strategies for the harmonization of public finance frameworks (including public accounting, budgeting, and public procurement) in ECOWAS member States.
• Execute all tasks as required by superior officers.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• At least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Public Finance Management from a university of recognized standing.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in Public Finance Management, budgeting and procurement, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area.
• Good knowledge of principles and operational provisions as well as excellent experience in multilateral surveillance programmes.
• Proven working experience in the formulation and implementation of public finance management.
• Proven experience in drawing up a multilateral surveillance report.
• Proven experience in the use of forecasting and macroeconomic analysis tools.

AGE LIMIT

• Be below 50 years old. This provision does not apply to internal candidates.

KEY ECOWAS 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 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 the subordinates to build strong working relationships and improve performance.
• Contribute to maintaining organizational unit’s performance goals and standards.
• Interpersonal skills with 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 need, 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/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, 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.