GBLCAREERS

As part of the implementation of the ECOWAS Volunteers Programme (EVP), the Regional Office of the Programme is launching a recruitment process for the post of ECOWAS Volunteers Programme Administrative Assistant in Liberia.

 Job Title: ECOWAS Volunteers Programme Administrative Assistant

Duty Station: Monrovia, Republic of Liberia

Category: ECOWAS National Volunteer

Type of Contract: ECOWAS Volunteers Programme. Non-Family Position

Expected start date: 1^st May 2018

Duration: One (01) year, with the possibility of extension if performance satisfactory and budget available

Deadline for receipt of applications: 16 April 2018

In line with the Vision 2020, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is implementing a volunteers programme that cuts across all sectors of the Commission and its sister Institutions. ECOWAS Volunteers are a group of men and women (18-35 years) from ECOWAS member States, with the ability to adapt to different social, cultural and political circumstances. They are deployed in community-based organisations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international specialized agencies active in the field of socioeconomic, cultural, political and humanitarian engagement. Volunteers will contribute to national and regional development and help to consolidate peace, recovery, national reconciliation and rehabilitation of communities where they are deployed. It is expected that members of this corps of volunteers will help to build the capacities of local assistants in the development and implementation of projects and programmes. This initiative complements the construction of the existing peace and national volunteer corps in member countries of ECOWAS. It helps to address the structural causes of vulnerability, instability and eruption of violence in the region and promote the contribution of youth to regional development and integration while harnessing and promoting the development of their professional competencies.

The Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) is one of the Directorates under the Social Affairs and Gender Department of the ECOWAS Commission. It is based in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) under the headquarters agreement signed between the Burkina Faso authorities and the ECOWAS Commission.

Decision N° A/DEC 13/01/2005 of 19th January 2005 had adopted the organizational structure comprising of four Divisions (Youth, Sports, Administration and Finance, and TIC). However, since 2008, the Centre has undergone some structural modifications following the transfer of the ECOWAS Volunteers Programme (EVP) from the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department of the Commission (CPAPS) to the EYSDC, under the Social Affairs and Gender Department.

The EVP is centralized in organisation, but decentralized in its application to allow for flexibility and adaptation to the current realities of each country. The strategic directions, including the formulation of the overall vision, goals and objectives of the Programme, is the responsibility of the Regional Coordination Council (RCC), whose role, among others, is to ensure that the EVP becomes a genuine voluntary arm of ECOWAS.

Being a cross-cutting programme, the ECOWAS Volunteers Regional Coordination Council (RCC) includes representatives of relevant departments of the ECOWAS Commission. The RCC is chaired by the Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender of the ECOWAS Commission. She is assisted by the Director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC), as Alternate Chairman of the RCC.

The executive arm of the RCC is the EVP Regional Office, provided by the EYSDC in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). The programme’s regional coordination activities are coordinated by a Regional Coordinator under the supervision of the EYSDC Director. Although the EVP is under the Youth Division of the EYSDC, it is directly supervised by the EYSDC Director for effectiveness.

At the National level, the National Coordination Council (NCC) serves as the national body through which national policy guidelines for the Programme are given. This Council works towards the understanding and entrenchment of the Volunteer Programme in the national environment. It also serves as advisor to the country office, which is responsible for the coordination of the Programme at national level. The NCC is chaired by the Head of the ECOWAS National Office in the country. It is made up of Focal Points/Representatives of the various ministries, Civil Society Organisations, United Nations Agencies and local youth associations involved in the implementation of the Programme at the National level.

Under the supervision of the Country Coordinator of the ECOWAS Volunteers Programme in Liberia, the Programme Assistant will provide administrative and finance, secretarial, and logistic support to the EVP in Liberia.

S/He will:

1. Provide administrative assistance to the Country Coordinator;
2. Develop and maintain a reliable filling system;
3. Receive, screen and distribute incoming mails pertaining to programme areas, maintain an overview of the current situation, including a follow-up of the system to ensure timely action, preparing reminders on urgent action to be taken;
4. Monitor and ensure correct application of EVP administrative procedures as relates to ECOWAS Volunteers serving in Liberia;
5. Prepare routine non-technical correspondence in English from brief verbal or written instructions, type documents;
6. Register and monitor ECOWAS Volunteers contracts (end dates, renewals, extensions, redeployments, resignations, terminations, etc) in liaison with the Regional Office ;
7. Forward signed volunteer contracts to the Regional Office;
8. Provide logistical support, including, but not limited to: organizing for travels, workshops, meetings and trainings, taking records and minutes of all meetings and filing them;
9. Follow up on and facilitate monthly VLA and other payments due to ECOWAS Volunteers (EVs) and keep track of programme expenses;
10. Coordinate and where necessary, arrange official travel for professional staff, ECOWAS Volunteers and partners including the preparation of itineraries, hotel accommodation, responsible for all follow-up actions required;
11. Research and prepare relevant background information and participate in all areas of meeting functions: take notes, draft minutes, type the reports and follow up on the production of the meetings final report;
12. Assist the Country Coordinator in organising orientation/induction sessions for new, in-coming or out-going volunteers;
13. Undertake other administrative and secretarial duties/activities related to the programme areas as required;
14. Scan, photocopy, and mail documents on request;
15. In the absence of the Country Coordinator, ensure uninterrupted and smooth functioning of the Country Office, in coordination with the Regional Office.
16. Perform other official duties as required.

 Education:

• Minimum of a High School diploma or equivalent certificate in the Social sciences, Management or similar areas. Candidates with a higher or post high school educational qualification in the relevant fields may be given priority.

Experience:

• 3 years’ experience in administrative or related work;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other accountancy software;
• Good report writing and analytical skills;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Familiarity with ECOWAS and UNV-UNDP rules, regulations and procedures and/or previous work experience with a regional or international organization will be considered an advantage;
• Experience in accounting (from budgeting and costing to expenditure control, cash management, financial recording and report preparation) will be an asset;
• Work experience with/in an international volunteer programme or organisation will be considered an added asset;
• Previous work experience as an ECOWAS Volunteer will be considered an advantage.

 Language requirements:

• Excellent writing and oral English language skills. Knowledge of a second official language of ECOWAS (French and/or Portuguese) will be considered an asset/advantage.

The application should consist of:

• A letter of application/motivation signed and addressed to the Director, ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso;
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae highlighting specific experiences and skills of the candidate;
• Copies of diplomas and certificates/work certificates;
• A criminal record of less than three months;
• A certified copy of the birth certificate.

Applications, clearly marked with the subject “Application for the post of EVP Programme Administrative Assistant in Liberia” must be sent by electronic mail (email) to the address:

An initial 12 months contract will be offered with a total basic monthly living allowance of $247.5USD or equivalent in local currency.

A life and health insurance cover for the incumbent will be provided.

Other conditions of service as stipulated in the EVP Management and Administrative Procedures Manual and Handbook of Conditions of Service shall apply.

This position is open to ONLY nationals of Liberia. Candidates must not be older than 38 years at the date of recruitment.

The allowance for this position is that of an ECOWAS National Volunteer with supervision responsibilities (a ‘non family’ position).

ECOWAS is committed to the promotion of gender equality and equity and therefore strongly encourages female candidates to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE POST OF

ECOWAS volunteers programme administrative assistant in Liberia