Program Assistant, Air Transport at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Job Title: Program Assistant, Air Transport

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the PO Air Transport, the Program Assistant will provide technical support in Air Transportation as relates to policy, strategy, services, operation and infrastructure development.
• The Program Assistant will also support the Department on specific technical areas for the design and implementation of key programs, projects, and interventions to support the improvement of the air transport sector in the region, in line with the objectives of ECOWAS.

Role and Responsibilities

• Support the development of an affordable, reliable, well connected, and efficient regional air transportation services within the West African Region and beyond.
• Provide technical support for the implementation of regional initiatives and projects aimed at supporting a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible civil aviation system within the ECOWAS region.
• Support the implementation of the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP), Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP), and the “No Country Left Behind” initiative and Cooperative Arrangement for the Prevention of Spread of Communicable Disease through Air Travel (CAPSCA) within the ECOWAS Region.
• Support the preparation and implementation of regional air transport Policies, Laws & Regulations for the ECOWAS Community in accordance with the ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
• Support the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization to develop and maintain the Community’s expertise on air transport to support the strategic goals of the Commission and West Africa.
• Assist in the timely submission of project deliverables, record keeping, and participation in meetings/briefings as required by project contracts.
• Participate in the preparation of air transport sector procurement and contracting activities covering Expressions of Interest (EoIs), Terms of Reference, Requests for Proposals (RfPs) as well as the evaluation of tenders and contracting documents.
• Support monitoring of the execution of regional air transport programmes and projects such as PASTA-CO.
• Keep a list of contacts, focal points and any other relevant people to assist the Programme Officer in his tasks.
• Update continuously the register of addresses and names of ministries responsible for air transport in ECOWAS member states.
• Keep a good archive of all documents and study reports produced in the field of air transport.
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the Head of Air Transport Division, the Director of Transport, or the Commissioner.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Brevet de Technicien (BT) / Ordinary National Diploma (OND) or its equivalent in Air Transport Management, Transport Planning, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Transport Economics, Electrical or mechanical Engineering or other aviation related disciplines from a recognized university
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in civil aviation, aviation safety, air navigation, air transport, logistics and supply chain, or related areas in an ECOWAS country.
• Demonstrated knowledge of policy development process, project preparation, procurement, technical studies, and design of air transport policies.
• Practical technical knowledge and understanding of key air transport guiding protocols like the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Standards and Recommended Practices (ICAO SARPs), the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative on single market for air transport in Africa, Yamoussoukro Decision as well as air transport infrastructure development in line with best practices.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation of air transport related projects or programmes.

Age Limit:

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

ECOWAS Key Competencies:

• Ability to assume a credible presence when explaining rules, standards, and expectations (e.g. deadlines) to ensure compliance and work expectations are met.
• Ability to motivate self and/or others to engage in discussions that will result in recommendations to improve processes, templates, or other work tools.
• Ability to engage in positive approaches to teamwork, participate actively in discussions and the achievement of team goals.
• Ability to take responsibility for own career and performance with the occasional guidance from the supervisor/mentor.
• Ability to build capacity of self and others by sharing knowledge, tools, expertise, and experience with others to remain proficient and well informed in the execution of assigned role.
• Interpersonal, listening, and multitasking skills with a good understanding of client service responsibilities and role in representing ECOWAS values in all interactions.
• Ability to take initiative to resolve routine problems associated with assigned tasks using good judgment in involving colleagues or superiors as required.
• Ability to work as part of a team to resolve concerns, and problems and improve services.
• Ability to manage own time effectively and organize own work area in a manner that will meet performance expectations related to assigned client services.
• Ability to direct people to the appropriate source for further information and ask for help when overwhelmed with client demands.
• Ability to apply culturally relevant and appropriate approaches with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Good diversity management skills to interact with individuals in a manner that is culturally appropriate and in accordance with ECOWAS rules/policies.
• Ability to recognize preconceived notions and stereotypical views of certain groups and individuals and to successfully adopt inclusive and culturally appropriate behaviors.
• Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Knowledge of diversity management as it relates to daily work expectations and assigned tasks.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS mandate and operational goals of relevance to assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to keep up to date with Departmental activities, schedules and goals of pertinence to own work team, functional area.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS procedures relevant to assigned work and the ability to apply sound judgment in their application.
• Demonstrated strong interest and commitment to ECOWAS values and activities in daily assumption of duties.
• Excellent ability to maintain, process and provide accurate information as part of assigned tasks.
• Ability to organize files and information for easy retrieval and record keeping.
• Ability to spot mistakes, act promptly to correct them and learn from experiences.
• Knowledge and ability to challenge and question fundamental assumptions regarding accepted ways of doing things in the spirit of improvement.
• Ability to use current technology to communicate effectively e.g. office software programs, including spreadsheets, word processing and graphic presentation software; ability to type and format presentations, reports, manuals, newsletters, website content and proficiency in information communication technologies (ICT).
• Well-developed information sharing skills using technology and in accordance with established processes and practices.
• Advanced verbal assertiveness and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to acknowledge and understand the validity of others’ viewpoints and to respond in a constructive manner.
• 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 allocate time for specific tasks in a manner that will meet deadlines and quality/quantity expectations.
• Good organizational skills with an excellent ability to break down work into smaller parts and focus on the most important steps first.
• Ability to contribute to maintaining organizational performance standards throughout the implementation of new processes, practices and plans adopted by the Department and of relevance to assigned tasks.
• Ability to monitor progress and to consider new goals in the context of assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to follow through with commitments made to others.

Assessment method:

• Assessment of qualified candidates may include a written exercise and a competency-based interview.

ECOWAS Work Environment:

• ECOWAS provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and a healthy work-life balance.
• We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore, we encourage women to apply for positions that suit their competencies.
• Individuals from minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are also highly encouraged to apply.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of ECOWAS’s workforce.

Annual Salary

• UA 21,085.62 / USD 33,268.89
• UA 26,446.85 / USD 41,727.84
• UA 31,098.30 / USD 49,066.90.

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is 24th July, 2025. therefore, Qualified and interested candidates should send their updated Resume to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Note: Only qualified candidates will be contacted. It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply successfully for this vacancy.

Website:
Official Job Website: https://au.int/en/recs/ecowas

Click here to download the application form (Docx.)

Note

• Selection and appointment will be subject to background and reference checks and other administrative requirements.
• ECOWAS does not charge for any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing in connection with application or recruitment processes and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
• Individuals from minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are also highly encouraged to apply. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of ECOWAS’s workforce.