Senior Research and Legal Affairs Officer – P4 596 views3 applications


The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region.

Senior Research and Legal Affairs Officer – P4

Institution: Community Court of Justice, Ecowas
Directorate: Research And Documentation
Division: Legal Services And Research
Line Supervisor: Hod Legal Services And Research
Status: Permanent
Grade: P4

Role Overview

  • Under the overall supervision of the Director, Research and Documentation and the direct supervision of the HOD Legal Services and Research, the incumbent shall, in accordance with the Staff Regulations and professional standards, undertake legal research and analysis, write legal opinions and reports on various issues pertaining to the judicial work of the Court and its day-to-day functioning, while providing legal support to the Staff and other services of the Court, as required.

Role and Responsibilities

  • Study and advise on the rules, practice and jurisprudence of the Court;
  • Undertake and supervise legal research and analysis on pending cases before the Court;
  • Draft legal briefs and opinions on various legal issues of Community interest;
  • Produce thematic reports and a subject-matter Index of the jurisprudence of the Court;
  • Prepare and review draft contracts and partnership agreements involving the Court;
  • Produce academic papers and presentations on the work of the Court;
  • Provide legal support to the Staff and other services of the Court, as required;
  • Assist and Represent the HOD and the Director, as required;
  • Perform any other assigned tasks.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Law, with a specialization in international, administrative or economic law from a recognized university;
  • 7 years of relevant professional experience in legal practice, including legal research, analysis and writing within the judicial system, a law firm, a legal office of an intergovernmental organization or Government;
  • Excellent knowledge of international law and ability to apply legal expertise in analyzing complex legal issues and developing innovative legal solutions;
  • Proven knowledge of the practice and procedure of international Courts and Tribunals;
  • Knowledge of Legal issues arising out of regional integration and international human rights protection;
  • Strong analytical and drafting skills and ability to prepare sound legal briefs, submissions and opinions;
  • Fluency in any one of the three-official language of ECOWAS (English French and Portuguese); and a good knowledge/command of a second one.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational and managerial skills.

Age Limit:

  • Be below 50 years old. This provision does not apply to internal candidates.

Ecowas Key Competencies

  • Ability to get groups to work together cooperatively, by enlisting active involvement, creating a climate for respect and openness, and applying effective techniques for group facilitation, explore their potentials, motivate and guide them;
  • Organize and lead cross-divisional work group in developing creative solutions to address problems and or lead a small group of entry level professionals and administrative support staff;
  • Ability to respect chain of command in an appropriate manner;
  • Develop on-the-job training techniques paired with excellent coaching and mentoring skills; knowledge of new staff orientation approaches to facilitate understanding of the position and organization;
  • Ability to assign work to direct reports and provide timely and consistent feedback regarding technical proficiency and effectiveness;
  • Ability to represent the organization effectively before external parties.
  • Ability to consider the impact of a shift in programmatic direction to the needs of internal and external stakeholders;
  • Ability to promote and consider staff feedback to streamline processes in order to meet deadlines of relevance to client expectations;
  • Ability to consistently maintain composure and direction in high- pressure situations;
  • Develop problem solving, mediation and conflict resolution skills to address discrepancies, complaints, bottle necks, time constraints affecting quality and quantity of client services;
  • Ability to anticipate growing client needs and expectations to continuously improve quality, timelines, service delivery and addressing client questions in a timely manner;
  • Ability to communicate openly with clients, keeping them informed of progress and issues requiring attention/resolutions.
  • Ability to implement programmatic changes in a manner that ensures a biased-free work environment, fair and equitable application to new rules/regulations;
  • Experience and ability to adhere to policies, goals, objectives, and principles of valuing diversity in performing everyday duties and responsibilities; promoting/modeling behaviors that demonstrate tolerance and understanding of various cultures;
  • 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 to build value from leveraging diverse capabilities and inputs from various cultures, staff and clients;
  • Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
  • Ability to create a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from diverse strengths bringing together innovative practices;
  • Ability to seek out best practices to make organizational decisions of relevance to diversity management, ensuring that project and program activities identify vulnerable areas and contain systemic checks.
  • Knowledge of ECOWAS institutions and how the different organs relate to each other, particularly as it relates to own work sector/programs;
  • Knowledge of approaches to policy and program development of an international organization as well as project management;
  • Knowledge of the rules, processes and procedures of an international organization, of pertinence to tasks related to own position;
  • Knowledge of member states development trends, indicators, challenges and opportunities as it relates to project/program assigned to own position.
  • Creativity and flexibility to deviate from traditional methods in developing new procedures, processes and tools, using technology to simplify methods and approaches whenever possible;
  • Ability to revaluate current procedures and suggest improvements to ensure an effective, streamlined process;
  • Ability to gather and summarize information to predict stakeholder views on a new policy/programs; and excellent analytical skills to assess external policies and trends when reviewing policy/program options, pros, cons and recommendations;
  • Ability to synthesize complex information gathered from a variety of external and internal sources and disseminate it to others in a logical manner;
  • Ability to apply appropriate methodology to discover or identify policy issues and resource concerns.
  • Ability to evaluate, incorporate, and communicate the latest developments in specialty area using institution/agency guidelines and criteria;
  • Develop interpersonal, negotiation, networking and presentation skills with proven abilities to influence, explain complex information and demonstrate empathy and open-mindedness;
  • Ability to demonstrate operational proficiency in the use of computer in communicating using technology tools;
  • Ability to convey information clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner through both written and verbal expressions;
  • 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;
  • Proficiency in information communication technologies (ICT);
  • Knowledge of internal planning cycles and ability to contribute to the development and to implement Community-wide or institution policy by determining target audience, building coalitions with the appropriate population, and monitor progress;
  • Ability to consider external circumstances, factors and trends when organizing project activities to ensure the best outcomes;
  • Ability to review process outcomes, correspondence, reports, and policy documents to develop achievable plans;
  • Ability to conduct meetings with staff, stakeholders, colleagues and others to ascertain organizational program and/or project needs, making adjustments to plans and activities accordingly;
  • Ability to adjust project plans based on input from staff and stakeholders and/or ability to design and implement guidelines, tools and templates to accommodate new or revised programs and services.

Annual Salary
UA 56,591.37 – USD 89,289.87.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified candidates should download the Application Form below, fill it out correctly; attach a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Motivation Letter and send  using the “Job title” as the subject of the email.

Click here to download Application Form (Ms Word)

Click here for more Information

More Information

  • Job City Abuja
  • This job has expired!
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Before the creation of ECOWAS, the collective territory known as West Africa, from a regional point of view, was made up of an aggregation of states that had emerged from different colonial experiences and administrations which largely defined the boundaries of the 15 states domiciled in the area.

 Even though member states of the community, today make use of three different imported official languages (English, French and Portuguese), there are well over a thousand existing local languages including cross-border native tongues such as Ewe, Fulfulde, Hausa, Mandingo, Wolof, Yoruba, Ibo, Ga, etc. that constitute its over 300 million people tucked in a vast land of about 5.1 million square kilometres.

 Prior to colonialism, the area played host to many proud empires and kingdoms that spanned centuries some of which included Ghana, Mali Songhai, Wolof, Oyo, Benin and Kanem Bornu.

 The region’s cultural, linguistic and ecological diversity presents both opportunities and challenges for the integration process. The longing to combine forces politically and economically has always been recognised as a step forward in the desire to engender co-prosperity in the area.

 In this regard, the first effort at integration dates back to 1945 with the creation of CFA franc that brought the francophone countries of the region into a single currency union. Then in 1964, Liberian president William Tubman proposed an economic union for West Africa leading to an agreement which was signed in 1965 by the four states of Cote d’Ivore, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

 However, nothing concrete emanated from these until 1972 when Nigerian head of state Gen Yakubu Gowon and his Togolese counterpart Gnassingbe Eyadema toured the region in support of the integration Idea. Thanks to the drafts that emanated from their efforts as they formed the basis for the emergence of the treaty of Lagos in 1975 which birthed ECOWAS. The treaty of Lagos was initially limited to economic policies but emerging political events led to its revision and therewith the expansion of scope and powers in 1993.

 ECOWAS is meant to foster interstate economic and political cooperation. History is on its side in this regard. Dating back to pre-colonial times, West Africans have been among the world’s most mobile populations although much of the migration had been intra-regional. About 7.5 million West African migrants (3 percent of the regional population) are living in ECOWAS countries other than their own. The 1.2 million other migrants are dispersed mainly in North America and Europe. Estimated at about 149 million in 2013, women constitute over 50 percent of the region’s population. The cross-border migration of women as traders and business persons places them as potential champions for promoting integration, even though this is a reality that is yet to be fully exploited.

 Over the last few years, West Africa’s population witnessed strong growth, increasing from 70 million to nearly 300 million inhabitants between 1950 and 2010. By the end of 2014, it represents nearly 40% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa. According to the projections of the United Nations, the population of West Africa should reach between 550 and 600 million by 2050. It is the youngest region of the world. Also, with about 5 percent of the world’s population, with an area covering over 40 percent of sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa is the most densely populated on the continent.

 The diverse socio-cultural dimension of development should be a necessary building block for establishing peace and security in the region. Drawing strength from its past, leaders of the community have been making sacrifices to keep the shape of the political structure of the region. In 1976, Cape Verde, one of the two Lusophone countries in the region joined ECOWAS, and in December 2000 Mauritania withdrew its membership, having a

At all times, ECOWAS chief executive officers presiding either as Executive Secretaries or Presidents, deferred to the supreme organ of the community-the Authority of the Heads of State of Government for guidance. This body is usually headed by a Chairman. There have been 28 such Chairmen between 1978 to 2015.

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0 USD Abuja CF 3201 Abc road Fixed Term , 40 hours per week Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region.

Senior Research and Legal Affairs Officer - P4

Institution: Community Court of Justice, Ecowas Directorate: Research And Documentation Division: Legal Services And Research Line Supervisor: Hod Legal Services And Research Status: Permanent Grade: P4Role Overview

  • Under the overall supervision of the Director, Research and Documentation and the direct supervision of the HOD Legal Services and Research, the incumbent shall, in accordance with the Staff Regulations and professional standards, undertake legal research and analysis, write legal opinions and reports on various issues pertaining to the judicial work of the Court and its day-to-day functioning, while providing legal support to the Staff and other services of the Court, as required.

Role and Responsibilities

  • Study and advise on the rules, practice and jurisprudence of the Court;
  • Undertake and supervise legal research and analysis on pending cases before the Court;
  • Draft legal briefs and opinions on various legal issues of Community interest;
  • Produce thematic reports and a subject-matter Index of the jurisprudence of the Court;
  • Prepare and review draft contracts and partnership agreements involving the Court;
  • Produce academic papers and presentations on the work of the Court;
  • Provide legal support to the Staff and other services of the Court, as required;
  • Assist and Represent the HOD and the Director, as required;
  • Perform any other assigned tasks.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

  • Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Law, with a specialization in international, administrative or economic law from a recognized university;
  • 7 years of relevant professional experience in legal practice, including legal research, analysis and writing within the judicial system, a law firm, a legal office of an intergovernmental organization or Government;
  • Excellent knowledge of international law and ability to apply legal expertise in analyzing complex legal issues and developing innovative legal solutions;
  • Proven knowledge of the practice and procedure of international Courts and Tribunals;
  • Knowledge of Legal issues arising out of regional integration and international human rights protection;
  • Strong analytical and drafting skills and ability to prepare sound legal briefs, submissions and opinions;
  • Fluency in any one of the three-official language of ECOWAS (English French and Portuguese); and a good knowledge/command of a second one.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational and managerial skills.

Age Limit:

  • Be below 50 years old. This provision does not apply to internal candidates.

Ecowas Key Competencies

  • Ability to get groups to work together cooperatively, by enlisting active involvement, creating a climate for respect and openness, and applying effective techniques for group facilitation, explore their potentials, motivate and guide them;
  • Organize and lead cross-divisional work group in developing creative solutions to address problems and or lead a small group of entry level professionals and administrative support staff;
  • Ability to respect chain of command in an appropriate manner;
  • Develop on-the-job training techniques paired with excellent coaching and mentoring skills; knowledge of new staff orientation approaches to facilitate understanding of the position and organization;
  • Ability to assign work to direct reports and provide timely and consistent feedback regarding technical proficiency and effectiveness;
  • Ability to represent the organization effectively before external parties.
  • Ability to consider the impact of a shift in programmatic direction to the needs of internal and external stakeholders;
  • Ability to promote and consider staff feedback to streamline processes in order to meet deadlines of relevance to client expectations;
  • Ability to consistently maintain composure and direction in high- pressure situations;
  • Develop problem solving, mediation and conflict resolution skills to address discrepancies, complaints, bottle necks, time constraints affecting quality and quantity of client services;
  • Ability to anticipate growing client needs and expectations to continuously improve quality, timelines, service delivery and addressing client questions in a timely manner;
  • Ability to communicate openly with clients, keeping them informed of progress and issues requiring attention/resolutions.
  • Ability to implement programmatic changes in a manner that ensures a biased-free work environment, fair and equitable application to new rules/regulations;
  • Experience and ability to adhere to policies, goals, objectives, and principles of valuing diversity in performing everyday duties and responsibilities; promoting/modeling behaviors that demonstrate tolerance and understanding of various cultures;
  • 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 to build value from leveraging diverse capabilities and inputs from various cultures, staff and clients;
  • Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
  • Ability to create a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from diverse strengths bringing together innovative practices;
  • Ability to seek out best practices to make organizational decisions of relevance to diversity management, ensuring that project and program activities identify vulnerable areas and contain systemic checks.
  • Knowledge of ECOWAS institutions and how the different organs relate to each other, particularly as it relates to own work sector/programs;
  • Knowledge of approaches to policy and program development of an international organization as well as project management;
  • Knowledge of the rules, processes and procedures of an international organization, of pertinence to tasks related to own position;
  • Knowledge of member states development trends, indicators, challenges and opportunities as it relates to project/program assigned to own position.
  • Creativity and flexibility to deviate from traditional methods in developing new procedures, processes and tools, using technology to simplify methods and approaches whenever possible;
  • Ability to revaluate current procedures and suggest improvements to ensure an effective, streamlined process;
  • Ability to gather and summarize information to predict stakeholder views on a new policy/programs; and excellent analytical skills to assess external policies and trends when reviewing policy/program options, pros, cons and recommendations;
  • Ability to synthesize complex information gathered from a variety of external and internal sources and disseminate it to others in a logical manner;
  • Ability to apply appropriate methodology to discover or identify policy issues and resource concerns.
  • Ability to evaluate, incorporate, and communicate the latest developments in specialty area using institution/agency guidelines and criteria;
  • Develop interpersonal, negotiation, networking and presentation skills with proven abilities to influence, explain complex information and demonstrate empathy and open-mindedness;
  • Ability to demonstrate operational proficiency in the use of computer in communicating using technology tools;
  • Ability to convey information clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner through both written and verbal expressions;
  • 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;
  • Proficiency in information communication technologies (ICT);
  • Knowledge of internal planning cycles and ability to contribute to the development and to implement Community-wide or institution policy by determining target audience, building coalitions with the appropriate population, and monitor progress;
  • Ability to consider external circumstances, factors and trends when organizing project activities to ensure the best outcomes;
  • Ability to review process outcomes, correspondence, reports, and policy documents to develop achievable plans;
  • Ability to conduct meetings with staff, stakeholders, colleagues and others to ascertain organizational program and/or project needs, making adjustments to plans and activities accordingly;
  • Ability to adjust project plans based on input from staff and stakeholders and/or ability to design and implement guidelines, tools and templates to accommodate new or revised programs and services.

Annual Salary UA 56,591.37 - USD 89,289.87.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified candidates should download the Application Form below, fill it out correctly; attach a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Motivation Letter and send  using the "Job title" as the subject of the email.Click here to download Application Form (Ms Word)Click here for more Information

2019-09-27

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