Jobs at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Description

• Interested Nigerian candidates may wish to note that the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission assists the President of the Commission in the performance of his/her duties and acts in his/her stead in his/her absence.
• The Vice-President supports the design, formulation and implementation of regional strategies, programmes and projects, and works in close collaboration with other ECOWAS institutions, partners and Member States.

Roles and Responsibilties
Under the supervision and guidance of the President of the Commission, and in harmony with peers from other institutions, the Vice-President shall:

• Assist the President in defining and implementing the Commission's strategy and programmes;
• Ensure business continuity within the Commission in the absence of the President;
• Coordinate, monitor and evaluate regional programmes and manage relations between the Commission and other ECOWAS institutions;
• Coordinate and monitor the institutional reform process under the leadership of the Commission President and in collaboration with other departments;
• Oversee the implementation of the Early Warning System; Contribute to communication around the ECOWAS Vision;
• Oversee the activities of the Directorate of Strategic Planning and all other directorates reporting to him/her;
• Supervise the Directorate of Strategic Planning and Monitoring and Evaluation, Directorate of Early Warning, relations with other ECOWAS Institutions, and Community Development Projects;
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the President of the Commission.

Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies
Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of the ECOWAS Commission
• Candidates will be assessed on the basis of their knowledge of ECOWAS agenda and programmes/projects, particularly institutional reforms.

Academic Qualifications:

• Interested candidates must hold a Master's Degree (A-Level+5) or equivalent in Economics, Statistics, Law, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Engineering, Business Management, or a discipline related to the job description, awarded by a recognised university or higher education institution;
• Holding an additional degree or certificate in management or a related field will be an added advantage.

Professional Experience:

• Candidates must have at least fifteen (15) years of professional experience in a national, regional or international public or private organisation, including at least seven (7) years in a senior management position.

Language and ICT:

• Good command of one of the official languages of ECOWAS (English/French/Portuguese) in both spoken and written form, with working knowledge of a second Community language;
• Good knowledge and ability to use IT tools and applicable software such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Required Competencies:

• General Skills Professionalism;
• Planning and organisational skills;
• Accountability;
• Good communication skills;
• Teamwork.
• Managerial Skills
• Ability to plan effectively;
• Ability to tap and develop staff potential;
• Ability to set, monitor and maintain good performance standards;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• Ability to conduct meetings effectively;
• Ability to manage organisations and develop partnerships;
• Skill in coordination and monitoring/evaluation;
• Ability to negotiate with the public to achieve results or reach consensus;
• Communication skills to influence peers and external stakeholders;
• Team spirit and ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• Demonstrated fairness;
• Good personal organisation with ability to set priorities and adapt to varying situations;
• Ability to manage interpersonal relationships and resolve conflicts.

The Evaluation Process:

• Assessment shall be conducted in line with applicable internal regulations of the ECOWAS Commission;
• Applicants are required to provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile;
• Applicants under consideration may be subject to reference checks to verify information provided:
• Successful applicants shall be shortlisted for further screening by the ECOWAS Ministerial Screening Committee.

Condition of Service

• The condition of service is in line with ECOWAS remuneration for Statutory Appointees and Staff Regulations.

Tenure:

• Judges are appointed for a fixed term of four (4) years non-renewable.

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Role Overview

• Judges at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice are appointed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, in accordance with the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, the Protocol on the Community Court of Justice and its Supplementary Protocols.
• The Court is the principal judicial organ of the Community responsible for ensuring adherence to law in the interpretation and application of the ECOWAS Treaty and other relevant Protocols, Conventions and other Community texts.
• A Judge of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is responsible for the impartial adjudication of disputes falling within the jurisdiction of the Court as enshrined by Article 9 of the Supplementary Act SA.1/12/25 of 14 December 2025 relating to the Community Court of Justice, which includes cases relating to the interpretation and application of ECOWAS laws, the legality of ECOWAS Laws, disputes between Community Institutions and theirs officials, human rights violations, disputes between Member States, Community institutions, and individuals, as well as advisory opinions.
• The Judge contributes to the development of Community jurisprudence and the promotion of the rule of law, justice, and regional integration within the ECOWAS Community.

Roles and Responsibilties

• Hear, deliberate on, and adjudicate cases brought before the Court in accordance with ECOWAS legal instruments.
• Interpret and apply the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, Protocols, Supplementary Acts, and other Community legal texts.
• Participate in hearings, deliberations, and the drafting, adoption and delivery of judgments, rulings, and advisory opinions.
• Ensure the protection and promotion of human rights, as guaranteed under international and regional legal instruments ratified by, or acceded to by ECOWAS Member States
• Uphold the highest standards of integrity, independence and impartiality in the discharge of judicial duties.
• Contribute to the consistency, coherence, and development of ECOWAS jurisprudence.
• Manage case efficiently and effectively, ensuring timely disposal of pending cases
• Ensure compliance with the Court's Rules of Procedure.
• Sit in ordinary, special, or full bench sessions of the Court, as required.
• Participate in consultative meetings and workshops on matters related to the Court's mandate, in judicial conferences, plenary sessions, and internal committees of the Court.
• Participate in the formulation and review of the Court's Rules of Procedure and internal policies and guidelines.
• Support initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency, accessibility, and visibility of the Represent the Court at conferences, seminars and other official functions.
• Promote the Court's objectives and activities to stakeholders and the public.
• Work collaboratively with the President, the Vice President, other Judges, the Chief Registrar and staff to ensure the effective functioning of the Court.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the Court's strategic plans.
• Perform duties with independence, impartiality, integrity, and professionalism
• Uphold judicial ethics and confidentiality in all proceedings and deliberations.
• Demonstrate commitment to ethical conduct and always abide by the ECOWAS Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
• Avoid any conflict of interest or conduct that may undermine the dignity and crodibility of the Court.

Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies
Qualifications:

• Be qualified for appointment to a judicial position at the Supreme Court or any other court of equivalent rank; or
• Hold a Master of Laws Degree with a specialization in International Law, Community Law, Integration Law, or any other related field from a recognized university.

Experience:

• The candidate must have accumulated at least twenty (20) years of professional experience as a Judge in a field within the Court's jurisdiction; or
• Have at least twenty (20) years of professional experience as a Lawyer/Legal Counsel or Academic with recognized expertise in international law, particularly
• Be of proven good moral character.

General Skills:

• Demonstrate professionalism.
• Possess planning and organizational skills. Be responsible.
• Have excellent communication skills.
• Be committed to teamwork.

Managerial Skills:

• Ability to plan effectively.
• Ability to leverage and develop staff potential.
• Ability to define, monitor, and maintain high performance standards.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to conduct meetings effectively.
• Ability to manage organizations and develop partnerships.
• Ability to coordinate and monitor and evaluate.
• Ability to negotiate with stakeholders to achieve a result or reach a consensus.
• Communication skills.
• Team player capable of working in a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrates fairness
• Strong personal organization with the ability to prioritize and adapt to different situations.
• Ability to manage and interact with colleagues, donors, and teams, and to resolve interpersonal conflicts.

The Evaluation Process:

• Assessment shall be conducted in line with applicable internal regulations of the ECOWAS Commission;
• Applicants are required to provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile
• Applicants under consideration may be subject to reference checks to verify information provided;
• Successful applicants shall be shortlisted for further screening by the ECOWAS Ministerial Screening Committee.

Tenure

• Judges are appointed for a fixed term of four (4) years non-renewable.

Condition of Service

• The condition of service is in line with ECOWAS remuneration for Statutory Appointees and Staff Regulations.