DAI Global is implementing a five-year, USAID program in West Africa. The program supports the efforts of West Africans to address the risks of instability from democratic backsliding and from conflict, and prioritizes targeted governance, conflict and violence prevention, peacebuilding, and preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) interventions across the region. The program will engage with regional partners, such as ECOWAS, and with governments and non-government institutions to address causes of fragility, and focus on good governance approaches, conflict prevention and response, and P/CVE interventions across select target countries in the Sahel and across Coastal West Africa.

Position Description

The Senior Program Liaison (SPL)-ECOWAS will serve as the main interlocutor with the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) representatives and stakeholders and provide technical guidance to ensure the integration of strategies and activities of the program. Furthermore, the SPL-ECOWAS will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP), Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) – Technical, and the USAID/West Africa Mission to guide day-to-day technical implementation with ECOWAS and ensure technical cohesion between the program and ECOWAS priorities and needs.

• PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE : 2023 – life of project (up to 5 years)
• MAXIMUM LEVEL OF EFFORT: LTTA
• POSITION REPORTS TO: Chief of Party

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Develop and strengthen collaboration and coordination with ECOWAS stakeholders and key representatives for the purpose of meeting the program’s objectives.
• Lead the development and implementation of program activities with ECOWAS and provide technical support to ECOWAS representatives and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure continued visibility of the program with the ECOWAS representatives, contribute to informing the program’s approach and strategy and ensure integration and alignment between the program and ECOWAS priorities and needs.
• Strengthen collaboration and coordination mechanisms for actors at the national and country levels in ECOWAS countries.
• Lead initiatives, where necessary, per the guidance from, and at the direction of USAID/West Africa, to strengthen civil society, citizen and other partners engagement with ECOWAS.
• Support in the program’s reporting, learning, monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Coordinate with other ongoing USAID activities and donor projects to create synergies and target program interventions to fill gaps and bolster existing efforts.
• Work with the program’s MEL/CLA Director to develop action plans that align with the program’s objectives, as well as relevant components of regional ECOWAS strategies.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience and expertise in collaborating and coordinating with ECOWAS.
• Proven technical expertise in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and/or good governance on USAID-funded programs.
• In depth understanding of ECOWAS mandate and functions and ability to effectively function in West Africa’s political, cultural, and social landscape. Demonstrated experience working in the West Africa region required.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with diverse stakeholders including regional institutions, government stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and local communities. Prior experience with ECOWAS required.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior management role on USAID-funded programs.
• Demonstrated experience and/or familiarity with managing grants.
• Fluency in French and English required.