Director, Administration & Finance at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Job Title: Director, Administration & Finance

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the Chief Registrar, the incumbent shall be responsible for interpreting governing bodies’ vision and policy directions, defining, and ensuring the achievement of goals and objectives in line with the mandate of the Institution. She/he shall provide leadership and management to major sectors of technical activities.
• In addition, the incumbent shall also be responsible for coordinating the Financial, Administrative and Human Resources, IT, Language Services and Protocol activities of the Court.
• He or she shall provide guidance for the preparation of the annual budget of the Court and advise all departments and staff on financial matters and those relating to the preparation of budgets. 
• She/he must ensure strict budget compliance, monitor, and justify the use of all accounts.  The safety of staff and the Courts’s property fall under the incumbent’s purview, thus assurance of sound policies and compliance.

Role And Responsibilities

• Clearly communicate the vision of the Court to staff, explain how the department’s activities fit into it and explain the strategies for carrying out the required tasks.
• Demonstrate an ability to adapt to rapid technical, political, social, or economic change.
• Maintain constant contact with Chief Registrar and other directors within the court to ensure harmonization of work with other departments.
• Plan annual goals, objectives, activities, and budget tied to the Court’s overall plans.
• Measure and monitor goal achievements; negotiate suitable adjustments to goals and budgets.
• Contribute to the implementation of the annual operational plan.
• Ensure the implementation of the performance-based results concept within the department.
• Organize the Directorate in an efficient manner, with clear reporting lines, minimal bureaucracy, and an optimal level of delegation of authority and responsibility.
• Work closely with the Registry or Directorate to ensure efficient and effective services such as recruitment, performance decisions, promotions, and related matters.
• Ensure that administrative and financial policies and procedures are strictly adhered to, and deadlines are met, without compromising the quality of work.
• Oversee the individual performance planning process of staff within the directorate, using the systems in place for performance planning and evaluation.
• Provide instant and periodic feedback to staff on their work and performance.
• Ensure the planning, coordination, and control of the activities of the Finance, Administration and HR, Procurement units.
• Foster a favorable working climate within the court to encourage staff motivation and enhanced performance.
• Coordinate the administrative and financial management of the Court and in accordance with the ECOWAS regulations.
• Coordinate the drafting of (draft and final) Court’s annual budget.
• Coordinate the various administrative duties and responsibilities.
• Ensure Human, material resources and service management under conditions that may be determined by regulations.
• Ensure that the budget is executed in strict accordance with laid down accounting procedures and ECOWAS Rules and Regulations.
• Operate, monitor, and justify the utilization of the Court’s accounts.  (All bank accounts shall be operated only with prior authorization from the President and shall be in the name of the Court).
• Sole legal custodian of administration of all funds, holdings and cheque books placed under the control of the Division.
• Financially responsible for all operations of the Court and responsible for the safe keeping of the accounting records of the Court.
• Co-signatory of all cheques drawn in the bank accounts of the Organization.
• Keep account of all funds and assets in such form as may be approved by ECOWAS Financial Regulations.
• Forward monthly and annual reports to the Chief Registrar, as provided by the Financial Regulations of ECOWAS/Court.
• Ensure the establishment of sound Human Resources Management, Administrative, Procurement, IT and Conference and Language Services Policies.
• Supervise the activities of the directorate’s staff.
• Directly supervise the technical design or implementation of programmes, in an area where high-level expertise is required.
• Represent the Court in technical meetings or working groups; deliver speeches, negotiate agreements, mediate in disputes with the approval of the President.
• Conduct or participate in technical missions in connection with projects and programmes implementation in the name of the court.
• Act as an advisor on issues related to area of expertise.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
• Provide day-to-day active guidance and directions to all divisions in the Directorate of Administration and Finance in the management of all stages of the work cycle in line with ECOWAS legal texts and procedures.
• Lead on improving systems and processes and ensuring high level automation of manual processes within the directorate.
• Formulate strategies and design innovative solutions if necessary to resolve issues/conflict in the administrative work process.
• Guide the development of work and procurement plans and ensure it is in line with ECOWAS guidelines.
• Supervise the management of the procurement division and all related exercises and ensure strict adherence to the procurement code of ECOWAS.
• Supervise the development and implementation of work-plans for all divisions in the directorate, as well as manage related performance management of staff.
• Oversee capacity development and training of staff in the Directorate.
• supervise the administrative aspects of all asset management or facilities.
• Lead on developing and managing the annual budget of the directorate and provide periodic report on budget usage to the President of the Court and Commissioner for Internal Services and the Chief Registrar.
• Lead the formulation and defense of the budget of the Court.
• In collaboration with Legal, Head of Administration and HR and the procurement team, oversee contracts management; develop and implement contracts management systems for use by the directorate.
• Certify all requests for payment for contracts execution and ensure all deliverables are met within the specific timelines.
• Prepare a comprehensive quarterly and annual report for the directorate.
• Ensure the applications of relevant Donor’s Guidelines to related project.
• Manage and evaluate staff performance.
• Prepare the annual Report of the Directorate.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Administration, Accounting and Finance or Management or Business Administration, or Public Administration, Social Sciences, Finance, Economics or in a similar discipline from a recognized university.
• 12 years of progressively responsible experience in managing finance and budget operations administration, financial management, budget, or related field, including 6 years of relevant international work experience and 5 years at a supervisory level.
• Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) budgeting and innovation in line with public finance reform, fiscal management skills and business acumen.
• Extensive knowledge of Donor’s Guidelines for project and significant communication management experience in international, regional, or national institutions.
• Experience in capacity building, monitoring and evaluation and ability to produce high level reports.
• Technical capacity to provide specialized advice on a broad range of general services issues such as procurement, registry, stores, transport, and demonstrated professional ability to oversee large complex projects and initiatives.
• Demonstrated professional ability and mastery of principles, techniques and practices related to one or more specialized services in a broad range of human resources, financial management, information technology, procurement, project management, communication, asset management, building services management, records, and document management and other several services areas within international and/or public service institutions.
• Diverse background and competencies related to general administration as well as project management are an added advantage.
• Experience in project management and/or Information Technology.

Age Limit:

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

ECOWAS Key Competencies:

• Senior leadership experience in establishing strategic partnerships, working collaboratively, and building consensus with multiple internal and/or external stakeholders on complex issues in a multi-disciplinary governmental or international organization.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS mandate, strategic plan/priorities as well as the economic, political, and social state/trends of Member States, as pertains to own scope of work.
• Consistency in actions, values, methods, confidentiality, ethics, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes which connote a deep commitment to do the right thing for the right reason, regardless of the circumstances.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Heads of Institutions, elected officials and statutory employees to facilitate compliance, build engagement, resolve conflicts, and obtain support for change.
• Ability to respect the chain of command in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to promote a culture where people hold themselves personally accountable for results.
• Ability to provide leadership management, and technical oversight for all project activities and program deliverables in accordance with ECOWAS legal and administrative practices and standards.
• Ability to conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with the ECOWAS performance management system and to mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork.
• Ability to oversee project management, internal controls, and stewardship of financial resources and to address issues in a confident and capable manner whilst making decisions that exemplify impartial and non-partisan decision-making.
• Ability to exercise the initiative and resourcefulness necessary for simultaneously addressing a variety of stakeholder needs, pursuing multiple tasks, and achieving positive outcomes.
• Ability to create synergies with client groups and others to achieve objectives in setting and monitoring service standards and indicators.
• Ability to motivate and engage others in promoting or adopting best practices in client services.
• Ability to identify and improve services and client interactions through appropriate networks and to create innovative ways of addressing these in an accountable and transparent manner.
• Knowledge of anti-discriminatory/human rights regulatory environment and ability to advance strategies to foster an inclusive working environment and healthy organization respectful of cultural diversity and gender equality and free from harassment and discrimination.
• Understanding of diverse cultural views especially within West Africa, being sensitive to group differences, and gender issues and ability to contribute to, advocate for, and/or develop policies that are gender sensitive and responsive to various cultures.
• Ability to foster a diverse and inclusive interactive work environment that can effectively bring together a wide spectrum of ideas and experiences to solve problems, develop projects/programs and improve results.
• ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Ability to remain objective in managing conflict regardless of cultural differences /positions, and gender differences, and encourage other staff to overcome cultural and gender bias and differences.
• Understanding of the ECOWAS organizational structure, workplace culture and dynamics.
• Ability to apply knowledge of ECOWAS legal framework, strategic priorities, and operational standards to develop/modernize policies and programs and/or to implement policies and programs in a sustainable and effective manner.
• Well-developed business, social and political acumen, demonstrating a strong commitment to the vision and mandate of ECOWAS coupled with a broad knowledge of the economic, political and social situations and trends in Member States.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills on matters relating to policy and strategy development important to the realization of the ECOWAS mandate and the improvement of outcomes for Member States.
• Ability to analyze reports as well as socio-economic and institutional dynamics and recognize areas of potential obstacles or challenges and develop innovative solutions or alternatives to address barriers and achieve strategic/operational priorities.
• Ability to anticipate and interpret the effects of environmental changes (social, economic, and political), and its impact and make recommendations.
• Ability to identify/address strengths and weaknesses, stimulate creativity, reduce resistance to change and improve the achievement of strategic objectives.
• Ability to make prudent decisions relating to the management of human, financial and material resources.
• Ability to actively listen and understand the perspectives of others to make informed assertions, decisions, or recommendations.
• Ability to build multiple external collaborative relationships to support strategic and operational objectives; identify the key issues and accommodate the key players with well-thought-out communication and stakeholder management plans.
• Ability to communicate with clarity and conviction, make compelling presentations that promote new insights, ideas and perspectives and a better understanding of issues and challenges.
• Exhibit active listening skills to encourage stronger communication amongst team members, to show care and make them feel valued and to drive employee engagement in all institutions and agencies.
• Excellent negotiation and conflict management skills focusing on building and nurturing effective and collaborative relationships.
• Proficiency in information communication technologies (ICT).
• 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 prepare plans, set clear objectives in a consistent manner and have effective oversight of performance management practices to ensure that goals and standards are met.
• Ability to set effective goals/results and manage change in a manner that demonstrates resilience, composure, and a positive outlook in an environment of uncertainty and ambiguity.
• Ability to enable the development of organizational and individual talent throughout the implementation of strategic, operational, programme, project, and individual plans.
• Ability to implement plans, mobilize/engage people, identify critical success factors, mitigate risks, monitor indicators and feedback, initiate corrective measures, and build capacities for sustainability.
• Ability to institute rigorous monitoring, and evaluation practices and to learn from setbacks and mistakes to ensure continuous improvement.

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 81,435.54 / USD 128,488.99.

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.