Programme Officer, Mergers & Acquisition at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Full Time

Job Title: Programme Officer, Mergers & Acquisition

Location: Banjul, Gambia
Job Code: 20003593
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
GRADE: P3/P4
Agency: ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA)
Department: Economic Affairs & Agriculture
Directorate: Investigation & Law Enforcement Monitoring
Division: Legal investigation, Compliance & Enforcement
Line Supervisor: Principal Officer, Legal Investigation, Compliance & Enforcement
Status: Permanent

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the Principal Officer, Legal Investigation, Compliance and Enforcement, the incumbent shall be responsible for providing operational services on mergers and acquisitions of the Community. The Program Officer will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful execution of mergers and acquisitions while adhering to organisational goals and values.

Role and Responsibilities

• Evaluate applications for exemptions and for non-application of the Regulations and justification claims given under the ERCA.
• Investigate /monitor anti-competitive trade or restrictive business practices that have the effect of prevention, restriction, and distortion of competition in the region.
• Conducts investigations relating to abuse of dominant position and market power.
• Prohibit, monitor, and detect cartel behaviours in the Community and educate the public on the harmful effects of cartels.
• Assess notified and identified agreements or arrangements in the Community as provided under the Regulations and in line with the best international practices as would be applicable to the Community and under the Regulations.
• Develop and participate in mergers and acquisition strategy development.
• Analyze market trends, competitive landscapes, and industry dynamics to guide decision-making.
• Assess the financial implications of potential mergers and acquisitions, including cost synergies and revenue growth opportunities.
• Manage effective investigation and assessment of trading practices in the region in order to enhance consumer protection as enshrined under the ECOWAS Competition Rules Competition Regulations.
• Analyze acquisition and investment opportunities consistent with the ECOWAS Regulations
• Perform industry and financial analysis leading to investment recommendations.
• Develop and present the business case supporting the acquisition and recommend valuation of potential targets to senior leadership and other internal stakeholders.
• Manage a broad cross-functional due diligence team.
• Participate in legal negotiations regarding transaction-related contracts with in-house and external counsel.
• Perform any other task assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Qualification And Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in law, with a specialization in International, Administrative or Commercial Law from a recognized University.
•  5 years progressive practice experience as a lawyer in the legal office of an intergovernmental organization or government.
• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to international law.
• Knowledge and understanding of International law and relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of relevant regulations and rules of international organziations, as well as of applicable jurisprudence; legal and administrative expertise to analyzing a diverse range of issues and problems, in the context of the disciplinary process, and to develop innovative and creative solutions and to litigate employment-related matters.
• Proven experience in mergers and acquisitions or related roles including Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and under time constraints.

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 chain of command 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 unbiased 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 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.

Salary
USD62,213.20 – USD72,846.21 annually.

Application Closing Date
2nd March, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their correctly filled Application Form, Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Motivation letter to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Note

• Female applications are encouraged.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications initially submitted with only the CV remain acceptable.
• ECOWAS does not charge a fee for recruitment and will not request for your account details.