Principal Officer, International Negotiation and Codification at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Role Overview

• Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director Legal Affairs, the Principal Officer International Negotiation and Codification will ensure coordination and coherence of legal approaches among ECOWAS Agencies on Regional Community law matters.

Role and Responsibilities 

• Promote the uniform and consistent application of Regional Community laws.
• Provide advice on the interpretation of the ECOWAS legal texts, rules of procedure, privileges and immunities or any others related instruments.
• Provide legal expertise to the ECOWAS Commission
• Ensure treaty registration and publication.
• Provide technical assistance to Member States on international law matters, including on treaty law and practice.
• Assist in the codification and progressive development of Community law,
• Assist in the progressive harmonization, modernization and unification of Community law.
• Provide legal advice on agreements with Partners.
• Consult with Governing bodies in respect of preparation of legal texts.
• Lead development and review of Community Acts and facilitate its dissemination and implementation in Member States.
• Draft Community Acts (Treaties, Supplementary Acts, Decisions, Directives, Regulations, Recommendation…) emanating from Statutory meetings.
• Draft contracts, conventions, memorandum of understanding, agreement protocols.
• Participate in International negotiation meetings with Partners, third countries and others Regional Communities.
• Represent the ECOWAS Commission in certain conferences or seminars.
• Participate in negotiations between ECOWAS Commission and Development Partners or Institutions in the framework of financing Community projects or in the framework of strengthening the relations of cooperation and partnership.
• Provide legal assistance to Technical Departments for the implementation and monitoring of Community projects and programs.
• Produce reports and write ups on Legal related issues.
• Support resource mobilization and manage budgeting and financial disbursements for the Directorate.
• Supervise other staff under its supervision.
• Prepare and assist the Director in presentation of the Directorate budget.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Director.

Academic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Law, Criminology, with a specialization in International, Administrative or Commercial law from a recognized university.
• 10 years progressively responsible experience practice in law, including legal analysis, research and writing with experience as a lawyer in the legal office of an intergovernmental organization or government, with a minimum of 5 years in a supervisory role.
• Knowledge of international law and ability to apply legal expertise in analyzing a diverse range of complex and unusual legal issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions.
• Knowledge of legal issues relating to the functions, structures and activities of international organizations.
• Knowledge and skill of comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature, with proficiency in legal writing and ability to prepare legal briefs, opinions, or legal submissions, and a variety of legal instruments and related documents.

ECOWAS Key Competencies:

• Ability to lead in assigned programmes and projects by providing the necessary managerial and operational expertise required for the fulfilment of the organization’s mandate.
• Ability to lead by example and organize teamwork to encourage cooperation to achieve targeted results, champion and build momentum for change and to bring about employee engagement.
• Develop and implement internal controls for the pilot program to manage potential barriers to implementation.
• Ability to respect the chain of commands in an appropriate manner.
• Excellent self-management skills, demonstrating ethics and integrity, confidentiality and displaying due regards for internal controls of rules, delegations and transparency.
• Ability to bring together complementary skills/expertise, assess individual contributions and recognize/address accomplishments and shortcomings in a manner that brings continued success to the organization.
• Knowledge of program management at the level usually acquired from a certification in program management.
• Ability to research benchmarks and trends to bring about the best recommendations for the development and improvement of programs/projects that will best serve the community/organization.
• Well-developed networking and interpersonal skills to seek feedback, information and data from a network of professionals from multiple countries/sectors/organizations and to identify and prioritize the most critical community requirements.
• Ability to manage and coordinate client management initiatives and make recommendations.
• Ability to develop and implement best practices in client services.
• Ability to develop and implement stakeholder management plans, programs and initiatives to obtain buy-in on new initiatives, to better understand dissenting views, to obtain resources and to increase perceptions of success.
• Ability to be diplomatic, tactful, and respectful of other people from varied backgrounds, understanding diverse cultural views especially within West Africa with the ability to convert diversity into opportunities to improve program/operational outcomes.
• Ability to create a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from diverse strengths bringing together innovative practices.
• Ability to remain objective in managing conflict regardless of cultural differences /positions, gender differences, and encourage other staff to overcome cultural and gender bias and differences.
• Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Ability to serve the interest of culturally diverse multinational teams/organizations/communities and people with disabilities without prejudice and bias.
• Understanding of the ECOWAS organizational structure, associated dynamics and expectations as required to collaborate, participate, contribute and lead effectively.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS mandate, strategic plan/priorities as well as the economic, political, and social situation and trends in member states, as pertains to own scope of work.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS best practices, program management approaches and research techniques to lead and/or contribute to the development or assessment of programs, projects, or initiatives.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS rules and procedures in order to appropriately interpret and apply directive text, provide technical advice, coach others and assess performance.
• Ability to analyze a situation by using indicators to assess the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success, in making decisions.
• Ability to pull together information from different sources to identify the cause of problems, consequences of alternative causes of action, potential obstacles and ways to avoid the problem in the future.
• Ability to break down very complex situations/information into simple terms to explain recommendations and conclusions aimed at solving problems or improving operations/programs/projects.
• Ability to develop new insights into situations, apply innovative solutions to problems and to design new methods of addressing issues or disconnects where established methods and procedures are inapplicable or no longer effective.
• Ability to communicate with impact, clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner conveying credibility & confidence when making presentations, setting expectations and explaining complex issues.
• Ability to listen intently and correctly interpret messages from others and respond appropriately.
• Accomplished technical writing and editing skills.
• 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.
• Ability to give constructive feedback, provide recognition, address shortcomings, and motivate direct reports to work at peak performance.
• 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.
• Organizational and project/program management skills with significant experience identifying timelines, targets, costs and resources necessary to deliver on operational/program/project outputs in line with result-based management approach.
• Ability to set effective goals and targets for self, others, and the work unit and adjusting work or project priorities in response to changing circumstances.
• Ability to use participatory approach in project planning and identify gaps affecting the achievement of program/project expectations and to design and implement intervention plans required to build the desired task.
• Ability to implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation practices and to set in place regular reporting schedules relevant to key outputs.
• Ability to plan, organize, control resources, and to comply with policies, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Assessment method:

• Assessment of qualified candidates may 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 ECOWAS’s workforce.