DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND HEALTH INFORMATION, WEST AFRICAN HEALTH ORGANISATION

The incumbent will provide leadership and management for the main areas of technical activity that are essential to achieving the institutions mandate. He or she will be responsible for implementing the broad strategic vision and guidelines set out by the governing bodies and the Director General as well as defining and ensuring effective attainment of the goals and objectives relevant to the fulfilment of this mandate. Key responsibilities for a D1 position involve supervising professionals including P5 managerial staff who themselves supervise other professionals.  

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

The Director is directly accountable to the Director-General of WAHO (Head of Institution) . Acting as main interface between the Directorate and the Office of the Director-General both with internal and external stakeholders the Directors responsibilities will include:

• Clearly communicate the institutions vision to staff explain how the directorates activities contribute to this vision and outline the strategies for carrying out the required tasks.
• Keep abreast of technical political social and economic developments.
• Collaborate with other directors in the institution to ensure coordination with other directorates where necessary.

Managerial

The Director supervises professional staff and general service staff in the directorate. He or she will apply comprehensive managerial skills to ensure that the directorates staff work effectively and efficiently and that they deliver the expected results to the required standard and within the specified deadlines.

Managerial duties will include:

• Define goals objectives and draw up activity plans and annual budgets in line with the institutions overall plan; evaluate and monitor the achievement of objectives; use available data to analyse health trends in the region and adjust policy objectives accordingly. Discuss necessary adjustments to objectives and budgets;
• Implement the concept of performance-based budgeting in the directorate;
• Organise the directorate efficiently with clearly defined reporting lines minimal bureaucracy and optimal delegation of authority and responsibility;
• Work closely with all relevant directorates to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services such as recruitment performance-related decisions promotions and related matters;
• Define work standards and put in place mechanisms to monitor staff performance and ensure that standards are strictly adhered to and deadlines met while maintaining quality of work;
• Oversee the individual performance planning process for staff in the directorate use the systems in place for performance planning and appraisal;
• Provide staff with regular and timely feedback on their performance;
• Be actively involved in staff capacity building to ensure that the necessary skills are available and meet expectations in line with existing plans objectives and structures;
• Create a productive working environment in the directorate to encourage staff engagement.

Functional expertise

Despite being supported by a team of competent professionals the Director may occasionally need to draw directly on his or her own expertise in the relevant technical field as follows:

• Provide technical advice on the design or implementation of a programme in an area where he or she possesses a high level of technical expertise;
• Representing ECOWAS/WAHO at professional meetings or within working groups; give speeches negotiate agreements and mediate where disputes arise;
• Lead or participate in technical missions for the development of projects and programmes;
• Provide advice on matters falling within his or her area of technical expertise;
• Coordinate with the relevant parliamentary committee responsible for regional law where applicable.

Technical

The incumbent will be responsible for providing guidance supervision and management to staff in the two divisions of the Directorate as well as for providing technical support to all other directorates and staff in the areas of strategic planning health information partnerships and resource mobilisation and project development and implementation. He or she will provide guidance on the preparation of the Organisations Annual Work Plan and Results Framework.

The incumbent will be responsible for carrying out the following duties and responsibilities:

• Coordinate the development of the Organisations strategic thematic and annual plans;
• Coordinate the development and implementation of resource mobilisation strategies for the implementation of activities;
• Coordinate the implementation of the Regional Health Observatory;
• Coordinate the production and sharing of health information outputs in an appropriate manner (evidence for planning and action);
• Coordinate the development and implementation of regional policy and advocacy tools for the Health Information System (HIS) at regional and national levels;
• Support the establishment and facilitation of the HIS Partners Forum in order to consolidate integrated HIS in West Africa;
• Support Member States in their evidence-based health sector planning and reform efforts;
• Coordinate the development and implementation of the Organisations projects and programmes;
• Coordinate the implementation of the Organisations Strategic Plan;
• Coordinate the preparation of the Organisations periodic activity reports;
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Organisations Strategic Plan projects and programmes;
• Coordinate health-related cooperation with Member States Community Institutions partners and regional and international organisations;
• Coordinate all resource mobilisation initiatives to fund the Organisations plans projects and programmes;
• Coordinate the development and implementation of health financing strategies;
• Supervise the activities of staff in the directorate;
• Carry out any other tasks that may be assigned by his/her line manager

Qualifications :

• Masters degree (or equivalent) in Planning Public Health Health Economics Health Information/Health Statistics or any other field relevant to international development assistance from a recognised university.
• Demonstrate at least twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience in health planning and information including six (6) years of relevant international work experience and five (5) years at a supervisory level.
• In-depth knowledge of health policies and issues within ECOWAS;
• Proven mastery of public communication strategies and tools including social networks and IT skills as well as professional experience with partner institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound editorial judgement including on politically sensitive health issues and to make decisions taking into account the impact on stakeholders and expected outcomes

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

Additional Information :

GRADE LEVEL: D1

ANNUAL SALARY: UC 69 906.78/ USD 110298.92

Age Limit: Below 50 years old.

Assessment method:

Assessment of qualified candidates will 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 ECOWASs workforce.

Disclaimer:

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. 

The required documents for registration include:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover letter
3. Application form

Failure to comply with any of these requirements will result in the cancellation of the application.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time