Fresh Job Vacancies at 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. Considered one of the pillars of the African Economic Community, the organization was founded in order to achieve collective self-sufficiency for its member states by creating a single large trading bloc through an economic and trading union. It also serves as a peacekeeping force in the region. The organization operates officially in three co-equal languages French, English, and Portuguese.

The West African Health Organisation is seeking applications from suitably qualified ECOWAS Citizens candidates to fill the position below:

Job Title: Professional Officer in Charge of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis Control Programme
Reference: VN 832
Location: West African Health Organisation, (WAHO) Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Grade: P4/01
Nature of Contract: Permanent
Immediate Supervisor: Director Department of Disease and Epidemics Control (DDEC)   

Job Summary

• The Professional Officer for HIV / AIDS and Tuberculosis Control Programme will work under the supervision of the Director of the Department of Disease and Epidemics Control and in close collaboration with other Professional Officers of the Department and WAHO
• He/She will contribute significantly to the programming, implementation and monitoring / evaluation of WAHO’s HIV / AIDS and Tuberculosis interventions-related activities in the ECOWAS region.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The incumbent will make contributions towards the implementation of WAHO’s 2016-2020 Strategic Plan and attainment of its expected outcomes and outputs, particularly in annual planning, monitoring and evaluation of results of the strategic plan.
• Results-based functions (focusing on individual contribution and impact of action): The incumbent will:
• Advance WAHO’s mandate on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis control and ensure that the rules and procedures of ECOWAS are applied in a proactive manner.
• Analyze and evaluate the socio-political and economic aspects of the measures envisaged within the framework of WAHO’s 2016-2020 Strategic Plan and offer informed advice in this respect. Also participate in the formulation and preparation of annual work plans, carrying out of joint activities and initiatives with other partners including multiple-sector approach.
• Embrace new policy orientations, national and international strategies and plans and prepare technical documents that can assist WAHO’s leadership in decision-making and policy dialogue on HIV / AIDS and TB control.
• Serve as a facilitator for missions conducted by international consultants, regional advisers and experts and establish / nurture fruitful collaborative relationships with government structures and other bilateral and multilateral partners as well as civil society structures involved in the field of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis control.
• Provide technical expertise for planning / programming and results-based management of HIV /AIDS and tuberculosis commodities under WAHO’s support programme to ECOWAS member countries.
• Analyze plans and reports of activities and report on the implementation of annual projects / plans under his/her responsibility in terms of achievements, obstacles and problems encountered with a view to proposing appropriate corrective measures to improve effectiveness in the implementation of the said projects / annual plans.
• Document knowledge about experiences and lessons learned, best practices and replicable strategies / approaches, actively share and apply this knowledge by creating mechanisms for the organization and sharing of knowledge to be taken into account in planning future strategies.
• Participate in the development and implementation of advocacy strategies and actions as well as community mobilization activities.
• Contribute to the formulation of resource mobilization strategies by analyzing information on potential donors and preparing relevant documentation, including project summaries, conference presentations, speeches, writing proposals and projects/funding requests in accordance with WAHO’s priorities and the ECOWAS rules and procedures.

Qualifications/Experiences/Skills
Applicants must have the following qualifications and skills:

• A University Degree in Medicine or Medical Sciences. A postgraduate (Master’s) Degree in Public Health will reduce the number of years of experience by 2 years.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in the management and implementation of public health programmes, particularly in HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis control.
• Good knowledge and demonstrated experience in health systems organisation in West Africa;
• The incumbent must have demonstrated expertise in some or all of the following areas:
• Results-based programme development and management;
• Use of analytical skills to identify opportunities for project and programme development and participate in formulation of proposals by ensuring that the design and application of successful approaches are carried out with the necessary rigor;
• Leadership skills, collaboration with partners, good interpersonal relations and advocacy skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills as well as good knowledge of health policies and work environment in the area of health Professionals training in ECOWAS Countries.

Age and Nationality:

• The candidate must not be over fifty (50) years of age at the point of recruitment and must be an ECOWAS citizen.

Languages:

• Must be fluent in one of the official languages of ECOWAS (English, French or Portuguese). A working knowledge of anyone of the other languages would be an advantage.

Salary

• 28.499 UA per annum.

Application Closing Date
2nd April, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV’s to: pohivaidstb@ecowas.int

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Job Title: Professional Officer in Charge of Research

Location: Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso 
Institution: ECOWAS Parliament
Reference: VN 84
Grade: P4/01
Duration: Permanent
Immediate Supervisor:  Principal Officer for Research and Health Information                                          

Summary of Post and Assigned Duties

• The incumbent should be acquainted with the organization and management of research, research methodologies, assessing research quality and knowledge transfer/translation.
• The incumbent will be responsible for contributing to the implementation of guidelines in Research in the ECOWAS region.
• He/she shall be required to mobilize and engage the various stakeholders in health research; provide support to individual member States to improve their national health research systems; identify regional research priorities in partnership with all stakeholders; mobilize funds to carry out research according to regional priorities in order to contribute to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (CSU) and contribute to the coordination of a knowledge transfer/translation platform for better use of research results in the decision-making process in the ECOWAS region.
• He/she will help to foster relationship with existing networks, universities, research institutions, individual researchers and partners.
  

Description of Main Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent shall:

• Implement the regional policy and plan for the development of research for health.
• Prepare a directory and update the list of structures involved in research for health in the ECOWAS region.
• Prepare a directory and make an updated list of completed or ongoing research in the region.
• Disseminate research findings to help decision-makers formulate evidence-based policies.
• Promote research on priority diseases in the region.
• Support the review of national research for health systems of ECOWAS Member States.
• Contribute to the drafting of the regional policy and plan for the development of research for health in the ECOWAS region.
• Critique and evaluate relevant scientific literature.
• Participate in the mobilization of resources for implementation of the regional policy and plan for research development in the ECOWAS region.
• Attend the evaluation of research proposals submitted to the Organization for financing.
• Support establishment and operations of a Research Committee.
• Assist the Research Committee to select research priority areas in the region.
• Liaise with universities, research institutions and individual researchers and encourage networking of researchers.
• Advise on the choice of institutions / individuals to undertake specific research for the Organisation.
• Participate in conferences / meetings / workshops / seminars of professional bodies, international agencies and private foundations, where issues relating to the progress of research are discussed.
• Participate in recommending research institutions to be designated as WAHO Collaborating Centres.
  

Education and Qualifications

• Degree in Medicine or Social Sciences from a recognized university and an advanced postgraduate qualification in public health / Epidemiology Research.

Experiences:

• At least seven (7) years of progressive professional experience at national and international levels in the field of Research, particularly in research management, health surveys and promoting the use of research with at least two (2) years in a position of responsibility.
• A postgraduate degree in public health, research methods, health economics or social sciences will reduce by two years, the required number of years of professional experience.
• Experience in managing programmes to strengthen national research for health systems or in managing a knowledge transfer/translation platform to support the use of research results in decision-making would be an added advantage.
• Relevant professional experience with an international organization or in a multicultural environment would be an added advantage.

Skills Required (Knowledge and Skills):

• Proven leadership, advocacy and networking skills
• Good experience in managing complex health projects funded by donors such as USAID, EU, World Bank, KFW, IDRC and other donors;
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team, lead a group and have interpersonal skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated professional experience with health research institutions ;
• Ability to write grant proposals and to mobilize funds ;
• Competence in writing and publishing scientific papers;
• Good computer skills: MS Office applications;
• Ability to analyze scientific literature and make a concise and clear synthesis of the results ;
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.

Age and Nationality:

• Candidates must not be more than 50 years of age at the time of recruitment and must be an ECOWAS citizen.

Languages:

• Must be fluent in one of the official languages of the ECOWAS (English, French or Portuguese).
• A working knowledge of anyone of the other languages would be an advantage.

Salary28.499 UA per annum

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications and CV’s to:  poresearch@ecowas.int

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Job Title: Programme Officer – Traditional Medicine 

Reference: VN 85
Location: WAHO, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Number of Position: 01
Grade: P4/01
Department: Primary Health Care
Nature of Contract: Permanent 

Summary of Post and Assigned Duties

• The Professional Officer for Traditional Medicine will lead and effectively coordinate the Traditional Medicine Programme to support the ECOWAS Member States to integrate it their health systems.
• The incumbent shall be required to consolidate the gains made and introduce other innovative activities, particularly in the areas of harmonization of national policies and regulatory frameworks, development of training tools for traditional medicine practitioners and other health professionals, promotion of dialogue between the practitioners of Traditional Medicine and conventional medicine, promotion of research and development of plant medicines, conservation of medicinal plants and protection of indigenous knowledge.
• The incumbent must have a good knowledge of the health situation in the ECOWAS region in particular.

Mains Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Director, Primary Health Care, the incumbent shall perform the following duties:

• Assist WAHO to consolidate the gains made in its traditional medicine promotion effort.
• Continue to support the Member States to promote rational Traditional Medicine practices for its integration into their national health systems.
• Continue to promote strategies for the development of national policies, legal frameworks and codes of conduct for the practice of Traditional Medicine.
• Continue to encourage the inclusion of Traditional Medicine in undergraduate courses for healthcare providers, particularly medical schools.
• Encourage the development of structured training programmes in Traditional Medicine.
• Encourage the creation of Traditional Medicine practitioners’ associations for effective implementation of national and regional policies.
• Continue the compilation of inventories of medicinal plants of proven efficacy.
• Establish an effective and sustainable network of West African scientists to undertake research in Traditional Medicine.
• Continue to encourage local production of evidence-based Traditional Medicine products, and work with Member States and other technical units to ensure the registration and inclusion of some in the national essential drug lists. 
• Continue to promote dialogue between practitioners of Traditional Medicine and other health professionals and scientists.
• Undertake resource mobilization (technical and financial) activities to support the Member States to integrate Traditional Medicine into their national health systems.
• Continue to collaborate with key regional and global partners engaged in Traditional Medicine promotion.
• Plan and organize workshops, seminars, training and professional development programmes for Traditional Medicine practitioners.
• Pursue ongoing efforts to conserve medicinal plants by the establishment of botanical gardens and protection of intellectual property rights.
• Work with allied professionals in other Divisions to undertake related tasks.

Qualifications and Experiences
Candidates must have:

• A Bachelor‘s degree in Medicine, Complementary/Alternative Medicine (e.g. Phytotherapy), Biochemistry, Public Health, Natural Science, Anthropology, Pharmacy from a recognized university.
• At least a Masters’ degree in complementary/alternative medicine (e.g. phytotherapy), biochemistry, public health, natural science, anthropology, pharmacy from a recognized university will reduce number of experience by 2 years.
• Experience in managing or coordinating Traditional Medicine programmes at the national level.
• At least seven (7) years of progressive experience at the national and international levels in Traditional Medicine, particularly in herbal medicine research and practice.
• A very good knowledge of the health situation in the ECOWAS region.
• Excellent management skills, including networking and alliance building.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation and advocacy skills and demonstrable technical knowledge in traditional medicine.
• Ability to write grant proposals.
• Ability to organize, supervise and manage a multidisciplinary scientific team.
• Proven leadership qualities, ability to work in a team, and with high-level professionals such as clinicians, traditional medicine practitioners, research scientists, programme managers and policy makers.
• Demonstrable ability to foster partnerships and collaborate effectively with implementing partners.
• Ability to work under pressure and show respect within a multicultural and multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in designing and planning health programs.

Age and Citizenship:

• Candidates must not be more than 50 years of age at the time of recruitment and must be an ECOWAS citizen.

Language proficiency:

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of one of the official languages of ECOWAS (English, French or Portuguese) and a working knowledge of one other would be an advantage.

Salary
28.499 UA per annum.


Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications to: potraditionalmedecine@ecowas.int

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Job Title: Principal Officer, Human Resources Development for Health

Reference: VN 86
Location: WAHO, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Grade: P5/01
Office/Unit: Primary Health Care
Nature of Appointment: Permanent
Immediate Supervisor: Director, Primary Health Care 

Summary of post and assigned duties

• Under the supervision of the Director of Primary Health Care, the incumbent will carry out a range of activities in support of Human Resource Development for Health, in collaboration with appropriate professional groups, training institutions, and other key partners.
• The main objective is to ensure the identification of gaps in the training needs of Member States and putting in place mechanisms to provide these trainings.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will:

• Facilitate and support basic, post basic and post-graduate training of all categories of medical and allied health professionals and where necessary obtain sponsorship for such training.
• Promote the exchange of personnel and health technology among Member States.
• Identify and facilitate the accreditation of Institutions in the region that can be used for training of all categories of health professionals at all levels.
• Take steps to harmonize post-graduate programmes, certificates and diplomas in the region and ensure that the harmonized curricula are adapted to meet health service needs of the ECOWAS region.
• Facilitate and support the strengthening of training institutions to meet the accreditation criteria based on the harmonized curricula.
• Forge networks with health funding organisations to facilitate sponsorships for health programmes.  
• Organize courses, seminars and workshops for dissemination of information and updating the health personnel knowledge at all levels based on identified training needs of Member states and current trends.
• Support the exchange of trainers and trainees amongst Institutions in the region.
• Facilitate and support the mutual recognition of Health Professionals qualifications in the ECOWAS region.
• Facilitate the development of innovative learning strategies such as distance learning, continuing professional development.
• Facilitate and support the development and implementation of Human Resources for Health Policies and Plans for Member States.
• Organize meetings of the Technical Committee for Human Resources Development for Health.
• Ensure the efficient and effective use of such resources in compliance with ECOWAS financial, regulations, and procedures.

Education and Professional Profile
Candidates for this position:

• Shall possess a minimum of a First Degree from a recognised university in any of the following specialization:  Medicine, Environmental Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Nursing, Health Education, Public Health, Human Resource Management or relevant area.
• Possession of a certificate or higher post-graduate and professional qualification in Human Resources Management will be an advantage.

Experience and Key Competencies

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience after basic training in any of the major components of Human Resources Development for Health or Human Resources Management. Should have experience working with regional/international health organizations. 
• A higher qualification in the relevant (Master’s Doctorate) field will reduce the number of years of experience by 2 years
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate leadership ability, cognitive and psychomotor skills.
• Demonstrate effective organizational skills with the ability to prioritize work load, set and meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks simultaneously and attend to details.
• Demonstrate ability to work within a multinational environment and with a diverse range of people and organisations at the national, regional and global levels.
• Demonstrate skills in the use of modern applications in information technology.

Age and Citizenship:

• Candidates must not be more than 50 years of age at the time of recruitment and must be an ECOWAS citizen.

Language proficiency:

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of one of the official languages of ECOWAS (English, French or Portuguese) and a working knowledge of one other would be an advantage.

Salary
33.607 UA per annum.


Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications to: potraditionalmedecine@ecowas.int

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Note: The qualifications listed in this advertisement are the minimum requirements for eligibility. Applications falling below these prerequisites will not be considered.