Programme Officer Regulatory Coordination at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

ROLE OVERVIEW

• Under the supervision of the PPO Telecoms & Post Policy and Regulation, the Programme Officer Regulatory Coordination will facilitate the establishment of the common Telecommunication/ICT market in West Africa through the harmonization of ICT regulatory framework.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the development of the regional legal and regulatory framework and its implementation in Member States with a view to promoting a telecommunication single market.
• Assess the situation in the Member States in line with the Postal and Telecommunications/ICT legal framework and coordinates the implementation strategy for the incorporation of ECOWAS Acts into national legislation.
• Review National Legislations and propose revisions where necessary in compliance with the objectives of the ECOWAS Acts
• Follow up on the implementation of ECOWAS Acts on Postal and Telecommunications/ICT at national level.
• Prepare reports including best practices of domestication of ECOWAS Acts by Member States for widespread dissemination at National and Regional levels.
• Identify, research and analyze trends in the telecommunications market and their possible effects on regulatory framework.
• Identify regulatory issues requiring the attention of ECOWAS Commission
• Assess the quality of ICT services and provide appropriate measures for improvement.
• Follow the evolution of the major regulatory trends in telecommunication/ICT sector.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in Telecommunication/ICT, Political Science, International Relations or a field relevant to specialized or focus area with Excellent knowledge in the areas of Telecommunication/ICT regulation
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in Telecommunications/ICT Regulation at a multi-lateral setting, regional or international organization, regulatory authority, or operator
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the history, political context and background of the policy area in a sector or field of operation (eg Telecommunications/ICT Regulation, etc) to assist in development and use of a sound evidence base policy formulation and implementation.
• Ability to understand and apply approaches, techniques and tools that draw on a wide range of inputs and improve the quality and pace of policy making.
• Extensive experience in West Africa.
• Good ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with telecommunications/ICT operators and regulators, government officials, professional associations in the telecommunication/ICT.
• Knowledge and understanding of key stakeholders in the policy area, such as: experts, interest groups, etc. and different country legislation in the focus area to assist in aligning ECOWAS policies with government legislation.

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.