Programme Officer, Small Arms and Ammunition Stockpile Management AT ECOWAS

Background

In January 2007 the Secretariat of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with its headquarters in Abuja was transformed into a Commission headed by a President assisted by a Vice President and Commissioners.

As part of this renewal process, ECOWAS is implementing critical and strategic programmes requiring the recruitment of qualified and capable individuals.

Under the RIP, Regional Indicative Programme (10th EDF – Tenth European Development Fund), the EU is supporting ECOWAS regional  Peace, Security and Stability Mandate project (EU-ECOWAS PSS), aiming at preventing and resolving conflicts in a sustainable way, notably by executing a shift from a reactive to a preventive mode in acquiring increased strategic, operational and management capacities.

The ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and Other Related Materials came into force in 2009 as a legally binding instrument. The primary responsibility for its implementation lies with the ECOWAS Member States, while ECOWAS Commission provides common minimum standards and policies for its effective implementation. It was within this framework that the Ministers of Defence and Security approved in June 2010 a 5 – year priority action plan for the implementation of the Convention at the regional and national levels. In implementing article 16 of the Convention that deals with Management of Stockpiles, the Commission elaborated a comprehensive roadmap for Stockpile Management in the region. This is aimed at providing a holistic approach towards addressing common issues relating to inventory management, appropriate sites and recordkeeping based on current best practices in physical safety and stockpile management.

To facilitate the process, the prospective candidate is to provide technical expertise and coordination towards the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Roadmap on Stockpile Management. The officer to be recruited should be a civilian or military officer with requisite expertise of not less than 10 years tactical, strategic and operational experience and with capacity to initiate, plan and operationalize the ECOWAS Roadmap on Stockpile Management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Conduct inventory of SALW and other ammunitions depots/sites in Member States;

Organize and coordinate training workshops at 3 levels – levels 1,2 and 3 (see roadmap for details);

Organize and coordinate train – the trainers workshops;

Conduct sensitization of Parliamentarians on PSSM;

Establish norms and standards at national levels on PSSM;

Organize collection and destruction of weapons in Member States;

Conduct regular M&E to ensure benchmarks are met;etc.

QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE/COMPETENCIES/SKILLS

A minimum of 10 years proven practical experience in physical weapons safety, inventory management, recordkeeping and security related area/field at the national, regional or international levels, of which 2 years should involve responsibility in post – conflict environment. PSSM Inspector level qualification and Ammunition/Weapons Technical officer experience are required.   A post – graduate degree in relevant field is an added advantage with the following requisite skills:

a) Knowledge of physical safety and stockpile management

b) Experience/best practices in efficient management of weapons/ammunition stock piles

c) Proven ability to plan, organize and review stockpile management strategies

d) To be familiar with International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG) and International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS)

e) Ability to articulate and present evolving arms and ammunition stockpile issues to stakeholders including international community

f) Ability to work, produce reports and documents on technical issues in a concise, clear, objective and professional manner

g) Inter-personal relationship and capacity for sound judgement and decision making

h) Ability to work in a multicultural environment with respect to diversity and confidence building among staff while maintaining effective relations with development partners, stakeholders and civil society

i) Thorough understanding of international instruments, standards and best practices

j) Thorough knowledge of ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and Other Related Materials

k) Demonstrate strong ability to negotiate and present facts to member states in a concise and practical manner to ensure national ownership of the roadmap

Language

Candidates must be fluent in one of the official languages of the Community: English, French and Portuguese. A working knowledge of another would be an advantage

To apply for any position, candidates should download the JOB APPLICATION FORM, fill it and send it as an email attachment to applications@ecowas.int together with their CV. No certificate should be attached.

Department: Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS)

Directorate: Peace Keeping and Regional Security

Grade: P4/1

Annual Salary: USD 44,328 – USD 51,637

Supervisor: Head of Division, Small Arms

Reference: ECW-COMM/PAPS-P /006

Duration: 2 years Contract

Duty Station: Abuja, Nigeria