Director Research and Statistics

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a 15-member regional group mandated to promote economic integration, social cohesion, and political stability across West Africa. As a premier Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), ECOWAS operates through a robust institutional framework, led by the Commission and the Community Parliament, to harmonize policies, foster a "borderless" region, and uphold democratic governance for over 400 million citizens. 

Under the supervision of the Commissioner Agriculture and Economic Affairs, the incumbent will lead the production and management of harmonized quality statistics and coordinate regional research and economic studies on regional integration for ECOWAS. Ensure the production methodology guides are necessary for harmonization of regional Statistics and the creation of all relevant regional databases for management and dissemination of quality harmonized statistics. Mobilize financial and technical resources for regional statistics and research.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate the ECOWAS Regional Statistical System and Implement ECOWAS Statistics Policy and Program, in collaboration with national and regional institutions.
• Provide leadership in developing and maintaining up-to-date statistical databases covering the sub-regional integration activities to ensure accuracy and consistency in the use of statistical data throughout the Commission.
• Supervise and ensuring effective dissemination of statistics and offering guidance on their analysis and interpretation.
• Ensure the development and maintenance of a comprehensive framework through which the commission statistical databases can be accessed.
• Coordinate the harmonization of statistical tools and methods in collaboration with international statistical agencies to ensure consistency and comparability of data.
• Ensure effective sharing of statistical data with regional stakeholders and development partners.
• Formulate and ensuring the implementation of efficient statistical and analytical strategies to meet the operational and research needs of the Commission through the provision of advice on data sources, quality and availability and research methodology.
• Establish and coordinate the ECOWAS Research and Development Policy and Program, in collaboration with national and regional institutions.
• Coordinate research and economic studies on regional integration, giving advice and technical support in identifying and managing macroeconomic and social priorities, as well as poverty-related issues in the sub region.
• Monitoring development programs for the region in collaboration with other regional institutions.
• Contributing to the elaboration of the integration programs and mobilizing partnership.
• Contributing to the preparation of the Reports of the President of the Commission.
• Any other responsibility that may be assigned by the President of the Commission

• Master’s degree in Economics, Statistics with a focus on Social, Macro-Economic, Political aspects of development from a recognized university.
• A PhD degree will be considered as an advantage.
• 12 years of progressively responsible experience in Research and Statistics Policy and Program including 6 years of relevant international work experience and 5 years at a supervisory level.
• Strong experience at regional level with interaction at national level,
• Demonstration of experience at the similar position will be an asset.
• Strong knowledge of research and analytical methodologies and ability application of both qualitative and quantitative approaches through project-based work.
• Strong capacity to analyze action from the perspective of stakeholders and translate strategic thinking into a compelling plan of action.
• Ability to interpret complex statistical data and translate into policy and decision making using relevant data analysis packages, particularly Eviews, STATA, SPSS and EXCEL, and qualitative packages. Packages to be determined by the role and job content.
• Publication of at least three papers in international peer review journal in regional economics and statistics.