ROLE OVERVIEW

Under the supervision of the Head of Peace Support Operations Division, the incumbent assists in developing and manage the Mission Support component of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF), to support multidimensional and integrated support, planning, and management mechanisms/processes to support ECOWAS PSOs.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Initiate and Assist in the formulation of Logistics and personnel policies for ECOWAS Missions in consonant with African Union guidelines on Logistics Peace Support Operations (PSO) Management.
• Undertake activities for the implementation of Logistics and Personnel policies for ECOWAS Missions.
• Interpret and apply ECOWAS Policies, Rules, and Regulations as well as Standards concerning logistics.
• Coordinate all Logistics Matters for ECOWAS deployed Forces, including the preparation of guidelines for personnel contributing countries.
• Develop a strategic logistics support concept and procedures for ECOWAS region.
• Develop a concept in Logistic staff courses (e.g short training packages or seminars) In conjunction with the other PSOD officers.
• Provide advice and guidance to the C-PAPS Staff and others regarding logistics matters as a functional area expert.
• Work out modalities/determine the requirement for the establishment of a strategic (well stocked) depot in support of ECOWAS Peace Support Operations (PSOs).
• Assist in the formulation, development and implementation of depot concepts and     procedures in consonance with African Union guidelines on depot operations in Peace Support Operations (PSO) Management.

·       Undertake activities for the implementation of polices of the depot in ECOWAS PSO.

·       Coordinate all depot related issues in relation to the ESF when deployed.

·       Develop and maintain internal logistics potential through effective training initiatives.

• Provide advice and guidance to C-PAPS on issues regarding the operational control and logistics of the facility as a functional area expert.
• Carry out any other tasks as may be assigned.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

·       At least a bachelor’s degree (Academic) Level in Public/Business Administration, International Relations, Project Management, Logistics, Conflict Related studies, or a related field from a university of recognized standing.

·       7 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, logistics and human resource management.

·       Experience in PSOs and at least five (5) years’ experience in sub-saharan Africa.

·       Knowledge of and ability to conduct in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political issues/problems in specific areas/countries of the ECOWAS community.

·       Must have previous specialty and employment experience in integrated logistics support.

·       Demonstrates technical competence to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic, and humanitarian programmes requirements/capacities of member-states.

·       Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.

·       Have at a minimum of one year experience in a UN or AU PSO mission.

AGE LIMIT

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

ECOWAS KEY COMPETENCIES

·   Ability to get groups to work together cooperatively, by enlisting active involvement, creating a climate for respect and openness, and applying effective techniques for group facilitation, explore their potentials, motivate them, and guide them.

·   Organizes and leads cross-divisional work group in developing creative solutions to address problems and or leads a small group of entry level professionals and administrative support staff.

·       Well-developed on—the-job training techniques paired with excellent coaching and mentoring skills; knowledge of new staff orientation approaches to facilitate understanding of the position and organization.

·       Ability to assign work to employees and provides timely and consistent feedback regarding technical proficiency and effectiveness.

·       Knowledge of project management at the level usually acquired from a certification in Project Management (e.g. Prince2 or Project Management Professional PMP).

·       Ability to consider the impact of a shift in programmatic direction to the needs of internal and external client.

·       Ability to promote and consider staff feedback to streamline processes in order to meet deadlines of relevance to client expectations; ability to consistently maintain composure and direction in high- pressure situations.

·       Well-developed problem solving, mediation and conflict resolution skills to address discrepancies, complaints, bottle necks, time constraints affecting quality and quantity of client services.

·       Ability to anticipate growing client needs and expectations to continuously improve quality, and timelines and service delivery, addressing client questions in a timely manner.

·       Ability to communicate openly with clients/stakeholders, keeping them informed of progress and issues requiring attention/resolutions.

·       Excellent judgement and ability to implement programmatic changes in a manner that ensures a bias-free work environment and fair and equitable application to new rules/regulations.

·       Demonstrated experience and ability to adhere to policies, goals, objectives, and principles of valuing diversity in performing everyday duties and responsibilities; promoting/modeling behaviors that demonstrate tolerance and understanding of various cultures.

·       Ability to build value from leveraging diverse capabilities and inputs from various cultures, staff and clients.

·   Ability to seek out best practices to make organizational decisions of relevance to diversity management, ensuring that project and program activities identify vulnerable areas and contain systemic checks.

·       Excellent knowledge of ECOWAS institutions and how the different organs relate to each other, particularly as it relates to own work sector/programs.

·       Broad knowledge of ECOWAS legal framework with a sound knowledge of approaches to policy and program development as well as project management normally acquired through certification.

·       Well-developed knowledge of the rules, processes, and procedures of ECOWAS, of pertinence to tasks related to own position.

·       Broad knowledge of member states trends, indicators, challenges, and opportunities as it relates to sector/programme assigned to own position.

·       Creativity and flexibility to deviate from traditional methods in developing new procedures, processes, and tools, using technology to simplify methods and approaches whenever possible.

·       Ability to reevaluate current procedures and suggest improvements to ensure an effective, streamlined process.

·       Ability to gather and summarize information to predict stakeholder views on a new policy/programme; and excellent analytical skills to assess external policies and trends when reviewing policy/programme options, pros, cons and recommendations.

·       Ability to synthesize complex information gathered from a variety of external sources and disseminates it to others in a logical.

·       Ability to apply appropriate methodology to discover or identify policy issues and resource concerns.

·       Ability to evaluate, incorporate, and communicate the latest developments in specialty area (i.e. in specific sector or program area) using institution/agency guidelines and criteria.

·       Well-developed interpersonal, negotiation, networking, and presentation skills with proven abilities to influence, explain complex information and demonstrate empathy and open-mindedness.

·       Ability to demonstrate operational proficiency in the use of computer in communicating using technology tools such as email, word processing, excel, power point, collaborative software, graphic software.

·       Ability to convey information clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner through both writing and verbal means, either with electronic or print media.

• Fluency in one of the three ECOWAS official languages (English, French & Portuguese)

·       Good knowledge of internal planning cycles and ability to contribute to the development and to implement Community-wide or institution policy by determining target audience, building coalitions with the appropriate population, and monitor progress.

·       Ability to considers external circumstances, factors and trends when organizing project activities to ensure the best outcomes.

·       Ability to review process outcomes, correspondence, reports, and policy documents to develop sound and achievable plans.

·       Ability to conduct meetings with staff, stakeholders, colleagues, and others to ascertain of organizational, program and/or project needs, making adjustments to plans and activities accordingly.

·       Ability to adjust project plans based on input from staff and stakeholders and/or ability to design and implements guidelines, tools, and templates to accommodate new or revised programmes and services.