The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS; www.ecowas.int), along with other Regional Economic Communities (RECs)  has been implementing since May 2011 the African Peace and Security Architecture Support Programme (APSA), supported by the African Union Commission and the European Union within the framework of Africa Peace Facility (APF).
The main purpose of APSA is to promote peace and security in Africa, specifically through conflict prevention, management, resolution and peace building as as well as capacity development
APF is sponsored by the 10th European Development Fund. Under APSA, the ECOWAS Commission is benefitting from two projects, namely the APSA Support Programme (APSA-SP) up to December 2014 and the EU Support to African Training Institutions/Training Centers of Excellence (TI-TCE). Officially the two projects are expected to run respectively till 31 December 2014 and 31 January 2013.In order to fast-track the implementation of APSA, the ECOWAS Commission is seeking the services of qualified professionals to fill the below position.

Job Title: Program Officer, Conflict Prevention

Grade: P4

Supervisor: Director, Political Affairs

Reference: ECW-COMM/REC/PA-P/005/2013

Duration: Twelve (12) months (renewable annually)

Duty Station: Abuja, Nigeria

Within the overall context of the Danish Africa Programme for Peace II, the Programme Officer will assist Departments of the ECOWAS Commission to coordinate the operation of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework in ECOWAS Member States and the ECOWAS Commission. He/she will coordinate the finalization of the Plans of Action (PoAs) of the ECPF components and ensure that the programmes and projects of ECOWAS departments are in line with the Plans of Action of the components. This will take into account ECOWAS’ role as a Regional Organisation operating with a development and integration agenda in a region that is consolidating on advancements made in democracy and good governance but with existing and emerging threats to peace and security.

The Officer will act as a discussion partner for staff at all levels, including the Commission’s senior management. He/She will also facilitate access by Commission staff to local, regional and international resources (including NGOs, CSOs, resource persons and sources of knowledge) in relation to ECOWAS’ role in preventing conflicts. This will include promoting and assisting the development of appropriate linkages between regional stakeholders (including Civil Society) and the Commission. He/she will also be responsible for coordinating efforts to develop the Plans of Action for the ECPF components.

He/She will be located within, and report to, the Director of Political Affairs. He/she will be expected to interact with other departments (and external stakeholders) as appropriate.

He/She will maintain regular contact with the Danish Embassy located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and DANIDA conflict advisers within the context of the APP II in order to exchange ideas and keep abreast of developments in the other regional organisations and the evolving African security architecture.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Working within the overall framework of the ECOWAS Peace and Security Agenda, the APP Programme Documents and ECPF Plans of Action, the Officer’s duties and responsibilities shall include the following:
• Assist the ECOWAS Commission in implementing a comprehensive and integrated conflict prevention strategy in the region.
• Assist in making conflict prevention operational.
• Follow-up on agreements for approved projects.
• Play an active role in monitoring the impact of the Danish Africa Programme for Peace II, including the development of appropriate baselines and indicators related to specific interventions.
• Promote a connected and coherent approach to conflict prevention programmes within the Commission.
• Together with ECOWAS staff and external sources of expertise (especially regional expertise), help promote the use of appropriate tools to facilitate the implementation of conflict prevention initiatives, including monitoring and evaluation.
• Strengthen political awareness of conflict prevention and promote greater use of prevention tools.
• Raise awareness amongst decision-makers and commission staff on practical approaches to conflict prevention and sources of knowledge that would be different to the West African region.
• Promote contacts and access to regional and international resources (including knowledge and expertise).
• Play an active role in maximising synergies with other regional conflict prevention efforts in Africa, including those supported under other components of the Danish Africa Programme for Peace II (APP) and other donor funded activities. This will include assisting in promoting synergies (including exchanges of lessons learned and good practice) within the ECOWAS and between the other regional organisations (in particular, the AU, SADC and IGAD) and with civil society.
• Maintain a close dialogue with other technical advisers to the secretariat acting within the peace and security field.
• Advise on mainstreaming gender equality into conflict prevention activities.
• Assist and participate in visits by the Danish Embassy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and other Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs representatives, which have a conflict prevention focus.
• Assist in keeping the Danish Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia informed about progress made in programme implementation.
• Assist the ECOWAS Commission in identifying, preparing and implementing concrete conflict prevention interventions, where appropriate in conjunction with member states, representatives of civil society and other relevant stakeholders.
• Provide advice to the Commission and other eligible stakeholders concerning access to the DANIDA funds earmarked for conflict prevention activities within the ECOWAS Component of the Danish Africa Programme for Peace II.
• Coordinate the implementation of the ECPF components in close collaboration with the ECPF Steering Committee and relevant departments.
• Initiate projects and activities in collaboration with relevant departments in fulfilment of the APP II agenda.

Qualifications/Experience/Skills

• The candidate should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science/ International Relations/Development Studies/Peace Studies or a related field. The possession of a higher could be an added advantage.
• At least 5 years’ experience in conflict analysis and preventive diplomacy
• Track record in strategic planning.
• Track record in the management of projects and programmes.
• Solid experience in the use of logical framework matrices and Plans of Action.
• Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Track record in fund-raising and an awareness of funding opportunities.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS system and governance processes in Member States.
• Work experience with civil society actors and other non-governmental parties as well as with international organisations.

Competences:

• Strong networking skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong inter-personal and team player skills.
• Diplomatic.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing contexts
• Proactive and results-oriented in his/her approach to work.

Age:

• Candidate should not be 50 years old or over at the point of recruitment and must be a citizen of one of the ECOWAS member states.

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written expression in any one of the ECOWAS working languages : English, French and Portuguese. Knowledge of a second official language (preferably French) would be an advantage.

Remuneration:

• Annual Salary: USD 40,877 - USD 47,617

Mode of Application:
Interested and qualified candidates should
Click here to Apply

Application Deadline: 9th August, 2013