Investigation Officer at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Job Title: Investigation Officer

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the Principal Officer, Legal, Investigation, Compliance & Enforcement, the incumbent shall provide legal services and advice to the Authority and on all matters of investigations geared towards the protection of the interests of the Community.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Conduct investigation into matters that may be in contravention of rules and regulations of competition in the community.
• Carry out research into legal and regulatory regimes internationally and in the sub-region and provide advice that will serve the best interest of the Community.
• Implement relevant guidelines/procedures/manual pertaining to investigations procedures and ethics, confidentiality issues, exemptions, etc under the Competition Regulations and Rules.
• Keep an update on all key developments or best practices at regional and international levels in competition law and recommend appropriate policy and legal review.
• Collect and analyze evidence through interviews, document reviews, data analysis, and other investigative techniques.
• Analyze information and evidence to identify patterns, inconsistencies, and potential leads.
• Conduct research to understand relevant laws, regulations, policies, and industry practices related to the investigation.
• Draft legal documents and general notices for publication.
• Provide performance reports to the supervisor as required.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements
Academic Qualification & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in Law, Economics, Statistics, Business Administration Law, with a specialization in Commercial / business law, competition, or trade related matters. International, Administrative or Commercial Law from a recognized University.
• 5 years progressively practice experience in as economics/market analysis, commercial law practice, market investigations, competitional Lawyer in the Legal Office of an intergovernmental organization or government.
• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to competition, trade, market analysis techniques, survey techniques and methodologies, international law.
• Knowledge and understanding of international law, theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the competition organization.
• Knowledge of relevant regulations and rules of regional/continental, international organizations, as well as of applicable jurisprudence.
• Legal and administrative expertise to analyze a diverse range of issues and problems, in the context of the disciplinary process, market investigations and to develop innovative and creative solutions to market investigations and to litigate employment-related matters.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and under time constraints.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Proficiency in compliance management software and tools.

Age Limit:

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

ECOWAS Key Competencies:

• Ability to persuade/influence others to consider a certain point of view, adopt a new idea or implement new methods and practices.
• Ability to lead a team of trainees/junior staff and instill a spirit of teamwork to engage employees and achieve a well-defined set of activities.
• Ability to respect the chain of commands in an appropriate manner.
• ability to resolve challenges that occur with minimal direction and/or to recommend and explain solutions or alternatives for approval.
• Ability to utilize the Code of Ethics to manage self, others, information and resources.
• Ability to mentor others and create feedback loops with supervisors, colleagues and subordinates to build strong working relationships and improve performance.
• Contribute to maintaining organizational unit’s performance goals and standards.
• Interpersonal skills with the ability to keep a client informed of progress or setbacks in projects of relevance to timeline, quality and quantity.
•  Ability to proactively interact with clients and build strong trusting relationships based on mutual respect and regular discussions.
• Ability to establish and sustain professional credibility with clients/stakeholders in a manner that anticipates their needs, mitigates issues and carefully balances professional obligations with the need to be sensitive and responsive to their needs.
• Ability to counsel, advise, consult and guide others on matters pertaining to assigned client service responsibilities and established client service standards.
• Demonstrate respect for cultural differences, fairness and ability to relate well with people from varied backgrounds, nationality, genders, ethnicities, races and religion.
• Understanding of diverse cultural views especially within West Africa, with sensitivity to group differences; ability to challenge bias and to practice tolerance and empathy.
• Ability to listen actively, consider people’s concerns and apply judgement, tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from diverse strengths.
• Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Ability to encourage, empower, and advocate for people in an unbias and transparent manner.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS institutions, sectors, programmes and policies.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS internal operational requirements of programs, projects, services and systems required to achieve work assignments and meet performance goals.
• Knowledge of rules and procedures of ECOWAS associated assigned responsibilities and ability to explain these clearly to others.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS culture, structures and performance issues and priorities impacting assigned responsibilities.
• Knowledge of member states development trends, indicators, challenges, and opportunities as it relates to the project/programme assigned to own position.
• Ability to study data/information from a variety of sources, identify anomalies, trends and issues, present findings, and make recommendations.
• Ability to break down problems or processes into key parts to identify and solve gaps in service, quality assurance, compliance and performance targets.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply techniques to generate creative ideas and new approaches to meeting goals.
• Ability to use evidence and research to inform policies and programs and identify relevant and appropriate sources of information, including stakeholders, regional institutions and/or internal committees.
• Demonstrate operational computer proficiency using appropriate tools.
• Ability to make sound use of graphics and tables to effectively present numerical data to write semi-complex technical reports/proposals and edit/check templates, letters, etc.
• Ability to convey information clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner through both writing and verbal means.
• Exhibit interpersonal skills, make presentations, express opinions and debate ideas with others in a constructive manner.
• 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.
• Ability to develop and implement an individual action plan for achieving specific work goals.
•  Identify, organize and monitor tasks throughout to facilitate execution.
• Ability to contribute and/or lead on projects as per accepted project management standards and techniques, to co-ordinate contributions by others to set and meet deadlines.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, and work within timelines, giving attention to details, stakeholders, indicators and risks.
• Ability to identify, collect and assess indicators to monitor performance and to take proactive remedial action as required

Annual Salary
UA40,659.53 – UA47,395.28 (USD 64,152.61 – USD 74,780.28 ).

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is 31st July, 2025. Therefore, Qualified and interested candidates should send their updated Resume to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Note: Only qualified candidates will be contacted. It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply successfully for this vacancy.

Website:
Official Job Website: https://au.int/en/recs/ecowas

Click here to download the application form (Docx.)

Note

• Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo a written test and subsequently an interview session.
• Successful candidates shall be subjected to further screening / background checks.
• Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory background check.