Program Officer, Internet and Cybersecurity at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Program Officer, Internet and Cybersecurity
Job Code: 20002382
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Job type: Full-Time
Grade: P3 / P4
Directorate: Digital Economy & Post
Divison: Internet, Cybersecurity & e-Applications
Line Supervisor: Principal Program Officer – Internet, Cybersecurity & e-Applications
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Department: Infrastructure, Energy & Digitalisation
Role Overview
- The Program Officer Internet and Cybersecurity will work under the supervision of the Principal Program Officer Internet, Cybersecurity & e-Applications to promote the development of internet use and services as well as conduct activities towards the securing the ECOWAS cyberspace.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Conduct projects and initiatives aimed at fostering the development of Internet and the fight against cybercrime.
- Promote affordable Internet access and services in the ECOWAS region.
- Contribute to the implementation of ECOWAS cybersecurity agenda.
- Contribute to the definition of needs and requirements from Member States in the region on Cybersecurity and cybercrime.
- Prepare related assessment reports to ensure that needs of Member States are well identified in terms of Cybersecurity and cybercrime.
- Follow the evolution of major trends in regulatory, policy and legislation in the areas of responsibility (Internet and Cybersecurity).
- Analyse, identify internet policy and regulatory issues, requiring the attention of the ECOWAS region.
- Conduct the West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF) and coordinate the Internet Governance position for West Africa for adoption by Member States governments.
Requirements
Academic Qualification & Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Business Systems Analysis & Design, Information Systems Management, or any related ICT field from a university of recognized standing.
- At least 5 years progressively responsible experience in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field, specifically in relation to ICT applications and Internet.
- Knowledge and practical experience in managing data base, projects planning, web design, development, implementation and maintenance of information and communication technologies.
- Good knowledge of International Organization ICT infrastructure and it strategy as it relates to user area(s).
- Knowledge of all aspects of the design, development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex web projects using web content management systems and technologies.
- Knowledge of relevant high-level web programming languages (PHP, ASP, ASP.NET, HTML, CSS, etc.) and programming skills, including structured/object-oriented design, relational systems (MS-SQL/MySQL), web platforms (Linux/Apache/Windows), scripting (JavaScript, jQuery, Perl, Linux shell scripts) and query languages.
- Excellent analytical skills and the ability to document problems.
- Effective time management skills and multi-tasking capabilities.
- Ability to draft precise and complete analytical reports.
- Ability to work independently and effectively all at levels of a collaborative team environment.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
Age Limit:
- Be below 50 years old. This provision does not apply to internal candidates.
ECOWAS Key Competencies:
- Ability to persuade/influence others to consider a certain point of view, adopt a new idea or implement new methods and practices.
- Ability to lead a team of trainees/junior staff and instil a spirit of teamwork to engage employees and achieve a well-defined set of activities.
- Ability to respect the chain of command in an appropriate manner.
- Ability to resolve challenges that occur with minimal direction and/or to recommend and explain solutions or alternatives for approval.
- Ability to utilize the Code of Ethics to manage self, others, information and resources.
- Ability to mentor others and create feedback loops with supervisors, colleagues and subordinates to build strong working relationships and improve performance.
- Contribute to maintaining the organizational unit’s performance goals and standards.
- Interpersonal skills with the ability to keep a client informed of progress or setbacks in projects of relevance to the timeline, quality, and quantity.
- Ability to proactively interact with clients and build strong trusting relationships based on mutual respect and regular discussions.
- Ability to establish and sustain professional credibility with clients/stakeholders in a manner that anticipates their needs mitigates issues and carefully balances professional obligations with the need to be sensitive and responsive to their needs.
- Ability to counsel, advise, consult and guide others on matters pertaining to assigned client service responsibilities and established client service standards.
- Demonstrate respect for cultural differences, fairness, and ability to relate well with people from varied backgrounds, nationality, gender, ethnicity, race and religion.
- Understanding of diverse cultural views especially within West Africa, with sensitivity to group differences; ability to challenge bias and to practice tolerance and empathy.
- Ability to listen actively, consider people’s concerns and apply judgment, tact and diplomacy.
- ability to work in a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from diverse strengths.
- Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
- Ability to encourage, empower, and advocate for people in an unbiased and transparent manner.
- Knowledge of ECOWAS institutions, sectors, programmes, and policies.
- Knowledge of ECOWAS internal operational requirements of programs, projects, services and systems required to achieve work assignments and meet performance goals.
- Knowledge of rules and procedures of ECOWAS associated assigned responsibilities and ability to explain these clearly to others.
- Knowledge of the ECOWAS culture, structures and performance issues and priorities impacting assigned responsibilities.
- Knowledge of member states development trends, indicators, challenges and opportunities as it relates to project/programme assigned to own position.
- Ability to study data/information from a variety of sources, identify anomalies, trends and issues, present findings, and make recommendations.
- Ability to break down problems or processes into key parts to identify and solve gaps in service, quality assurance, compliance and performance targets.
- Knowledge of and ability to apply techniques to generate creative ideas and new approaches to meeting goals.
- Ability to use evidence and research to inform policies and programs and identify relevant and appropriate sources of information, including stakeholders, regional institutions and/or internal committees.
- Demonstrate operational computer proficiency using appropriate tools.
- Ability to make sound use of graphics and tables to effectively present numerical data to write semi-complex technical reports/proposals and edit/check templates, letters, etc.
- Ability to convey information clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner through both writing and verbal means.
- Exhibit interpersonal skills, make presentations, express opinions and debate ideas with others in a constructive manner.
- 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 develop, implement an individual action plan for achieving specific work goals.
- Identify, organize and monitor tasks throughout to facilitate execution.
- Ability to contribute and/or lead on projects as per accepted project management standards and techniques, to co-ordinate contributions by others to set and meet deadlines.
- Ability to organize work, set priorities, and work within timelines, giving attention to details, stakeholders, indicators and risks.
- Ability to identify, collect and assess indicators to monitor performance and to take proactive remedial action as required.
Annual Salary
UA50,336.36 – UA57,817.17 (USD79,420.72 – USD91,223.93).
Application Closing Date
31st July, 2025.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their filled job application form with three (3) professional references, resume (CV) and a cover letter to: b54pointernetandcybersecurity@ecowas.int using the job title as the subject of the email.
Click here to download the application form (Docx.)
Note
- Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo a written test and subsequently an interview session.
- Successful candidates shall be subjected to further screening / background checks.
- Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory background check.
