Principal Programme Officer, Sports Policy and Programmes Development at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Principal Programme Office, Sports Policy and Programmes Development

Job Code: 20000638
Location: Ougadougou, Burkina Faso
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Grade: P5
Agency: ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC)
Department: Human Development and Social Affairs
Status: Permanent
Directorate: EYSDC
Division: Sports Policy and Programmes Development
Line Supervisor: Director EYSDC
Supervising: PO Sports Development, PO Traditional Sports Development

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) Director, the incumbent is responsible for identifying, designing, proposing, and implementing policies and programmes for the general development of sports across the region, including through collaborations with partners and other national, regional, and international sports bodies and authorities.

Role and Responsibilities

• Coordinate the implementation of ECOWAS programmes and policies on sports development, including policy harmonisation.
• Analyze the social environment with a view to making proposals for the implementation of ECOWAS sports development policies.
• Initiate and implement sports development programmes across the region.
• Evaluate the implications of the major trends in sports development (both at regional and international levels) with a view to proposing appropriate policies and areas of intervention for sports development and youth empowerment within the ECOWAS region.
• Define an advocacy programme in various sectors of sports development.
• Initiate, develop and implement policies, programmes, projects, and activities in the sectoral programme areas, including policies and programmes for the development and promotion of traditional sports.
• Liaise and organize meetings with partners and other organizations to develop partnerships and implement programmes;
• Represent the Centre in internal and external meetings as may be required.
• Initiate and implement budgets for Programme Sectors under his/her purview.
• Organise programmes and activities to develop and strengthen capacities of Member States in the implementation of ECOWAS regional initiatives.
• Coordinate the sports activities and sports development programmes of the Centre.
• Coordinate and implement the approved sports development programmes of the Community.
• Produce a draft annual budget, programme and work plan for the programmes and activities of the Sports Division and implement same after approval.
• Implement the ECOWAS policy and programmes on sports advocacy and sports development.
• Initiate and organise exchange policies and programmes with member States of ECOWAS for the development of sports within the region.
• Serve as interface with international development partners on sports development matters.
• Collaborate and establish partnerships with experts in the field of sports development and/or other related or similar areas with a view to cooperation on sports development related programmes and matters.
• Coordinate the analysis of knowledge and experiences gained and incorporated into the sports development programmes of the Centre or other such initiatives.
• Promote the development of authentic and African traditional sports within the region.
• Promote African values in the practice of sports.
• Submit quarterly and annual activity reports of the Sports Division.
• Supervise and guideline subordinates to ensure effective and efficient programme implementation and the achievement of set objectives.
• Perform any other tasks as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Physical Education, Business Administration, Public Administration or in a similar Social Science discipline from a recognized University.
• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in youth and sports development including 6 years of relevant international work experience and 5 years at a supervisory level.
• Sound knowledge of the mandates, policies and orientations/directions of global sports activities and sports development.
• Sound knowledge of and effective involvement in the international, regional or national sports environment.
• Involvement in sports management and development initiatives and activities.
• Professional experience in an international organisation/institution in the field of sports will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated professional expertise in the subject matter.
• Excellent knowledge of sports development policies and programmes of ECOWAS member countries including traditional sports.
• Demonstrable knowledge of global sports developments and valuable contacts for effective partnerships will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of the rules prescribed by ECOWAS Treaty and other legal instruments of the Community.
• Ability to implement strategies to enhance and mainstream Youth and Sports issues within the framework of ECOWAS Commission overall strategic objectives.

Age Limit:

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

ECOWAS Key Competencies:

• Ability to lead in assigned programs and projects by providing the necessary managerial and operational expertise required for the fulfillment of the organization’s mandate (e.g. establish networks and benchmarks).
• Ability to lead by example and organize teamwork to encourage cooperation to achieve targeted results, champion and build momentum for change and to bring about employee engagement; develops and implements internal controls for pilot Program to manage potential barriers to implementation.
• Excellent self-management skills, demonstrating ethics and integrity and displaying due regards for internal controls of rules, delegations, and transparency.
• Ability to bring together complementary skills/expertise, assess individual contributions and recognize/address accomplishments and shortcomings in a manner that brings continued success to the organization.
• Knowledge of program management at the level usually acquired from a certification in program management (e.g. Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) or Program Management Professional PgMP).
• Ability to research benchmarks and trends to bring about the best recommendations for the development and improvement of programs/projects that will best serve the community/organization.
• Well-developed networking and interpersonal skills to seek feedback, information, and data from a network of professionals from multiple countries/sectors/organizations and to identify and prioritize the most critical community requirements.
• Ability to manage and co-ordinate client management initiatives (e.g. feedback loops, surveys, studies, needs assessments) and make recommendations.
• Ability to develop and implement best practices in client services (e.g. dashboards, incentive management, feedback mechanisms).
• Ability to develop and implement stakeholder management plans, programs, and initiatives to obtain buy-in on new initiatives, to better understand dissenting views, to obtain resources and to increase perceptions of success.
• Diplomacy, tact, and respect of other people from varied backgrounds, understanding diverse cultural views especially within west Africa with the ability to convert diversity into opportunities to improve program/operational outcomes.
• Ability to create a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from diverse strengths bringing together innovative practices.
• Ability to remain objective in appraisals, evaluations and in managing conflict regardless of cultural differences positions, gender issues or opinions, and encourages staff to overcome cultural and gender barriers and background differences.
• Ability to serve the interest of a culturally diverse multinational teams/organizations/communities and some disable groups without prejudice, bias, or sympathy to a select group.
• Solid understanding of the ECOWAS organizational structure, associated dynamics and expectations as required to collaborate, participate, contribute, and lead effectively.
• Applied knowledge of the Community mandate, strategic plan/priorities as well as the economic, political, and social state/trends of member states, especially as pertains to own scope of work.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS best practices, program management approaches and research techniques to lead and/or contribute to the development or assessment of programs, projects, or initiatives.
• Superior knowledge of the rules and procedures of ECOWAS to appropriately interpret and apply directive text, provide technical advice, coach others and assess performance.
• Ability to analyze a situation by way of indicators (e.g. performance, technical) to assess the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success, in deciding.
• Ability to pull together information from different sources to identify the source of problems, consequences of alternative courses of action, potential obstacles, and ways to avoid the problem in the future.
• Ability to break down very complex situations/information into simple terms (using charts, diagrams, effective expository writing) to explain recommendations and conclusions aimed at solving problems or improving operations/programs/projects.
• Ability to develop new insights into situations, apply innovative solutions to problems and to design new methods of addressing issues/disconnects where established methods and procedures are inapplicable, unavailable, or no longer effective.
• Proficiency in oral and written French and English languages.
• Ability to communicate with impact, clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner conveying credibility & confidence when making presentations, setting expectations and explaining complex issues.
• Ability to listen intently and correctly interpret messages from others and respond appropriately.
• Accomplished technical writing skills (e.g. proposals, terms of reference, program assessments, blueprints, business processes) with well-developed editing.
• Ability to give honest feedback, provide recognition, address shortcomings, and motivate direct reports to work at peak performance.
• Fluency in one of the three ECOWAS official languages (English, French & Portuguese)
• Superior organizational and project/program management skills with significant experience identifying timelines, targets, costs, and resources necessary to deliver on operational/program/project outputs.
• Ability to set effective goals and targets for self, others, and the work unit and adjusting work or project priorities in response to changing circumstances.
• Ability to identify gaps affecting the achievement of program/project expectations and to design and implement intervention plans required to build the desired capacity (e.g. training, structural realignment, partnerships, reallocation of resources.
• Ability to implement rigorous monitoring, and evaluation practices and to set in place regular reporting schedules relevant to key outputs (e.g. management indicators, project milestones, program results, processing targets).
• Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Annual Salary
UA 53,809.91 / USD 84,901.27

Application Closing Date
15th May, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their correctly filled Application Form, Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Motivation Letter to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Click here to download the application form (Docx.)

Note

• Female applications are encouraged.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
• Applications initially submitted with only the CV remain acceptable.
• ECOWAS does not charge a fee for recruitment and will not request for your account details.