Programme Officer, Mergers & Acquisition at the 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme Officer, Mergers & Acquisition

Job Code: 20003593
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Job type: Full-Time
Grade: P3/P4
Directorate: Investigation & Law Enforcement Monitoring
Line Supervisor: Principal Officer, Legal Investigation, Compliance & Enforcement
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Department: Economic Affairs & Agriculture
Agency: ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA)
Division: Legal investigation, Compliance & Enforcement

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.
• Conduct investigations relating to abuse of dominant position and market power.
• Prohibit, monitor, and detect cartel behaviors 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 Qualifications and 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 economics/market analysis, commercial law practice, market investigations, Competition as a 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 methodologies. International law.
• Knowledge and understanding of international law and relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of relevant regulations and rules of regional/continental international organizations, as well as applicable jurisprudence.
• Legal and administrative expertise to analyzing a diverse range of issues and problems, in the context of mergers & acquisitions the disciplinary process, and to develop innovative and creative solutions to analyzing applications for Mergers & acquisitions 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.
• 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.

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 with minimal direction and/or 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 the organizational unit’s performance goals and standards.
• Interpersonal skills with the ability to keep a client informed of progress or setbacks in projects related to timelines, 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 way that anticipates their needs, mitigates issues, and balances obligations with responsiveness.
• Ability to counsel, advise, consult, and guide others on matters related to assigned client service responsibilities and standards.
• Demonstrate respect for cultural differences, fairness, and ability to relate well with people from varied backgrounds, nationalities, genders, ethnicities, races, and religions.
• Understanding of diverse cultural views, especially within West Africa, with sensitivity to group differences; ability to challenge bias and practice tolerance and empathy.
• Ability to listen actively, consider people’s concerns, and apply judgment, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from varied strengths.
• Responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring 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 needed to achieve performance goals.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS rules and procedures relevant to assigned responsibilities and ability to explain them clearly to others.
• Understanding of ECOWAS culture, structures, and performance issues impacting assigned responsibilities.
• Knowledge of Member States’ development trends, indicators, challenges, and opportunities relevant to assigned projects/programmes.
• 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.
• Knowledge and application of 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 sources, including stakeholders, regional institutions, and internal committees.
• Demonstrated operational computer proficiency using appropriate tools.
• Ability to effectively use graphics and tables to present numerical data, write semi-complex technical reports/proposals, and edit/check templates and letters.
• Ability to convey information clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner, both in writing and verbally.
• Ability to demonstrate interpersonal skills, make presentations, express opinions, and debate ideas constructively.
• Proficiency in information communication technologies (ICT).
• Fluency in oral and written expression in one of the ECOWAS official languages (English, French, or Portuguese); knowledge of an additional language is an added advantage.
• Ability to develop and implement an individual action plan for achieving specific work goals.
• Ability to identify, organize, and monitor tasks throughout to ensure effective execution.
• Ability to contribute to and/or lead projects using accepted project management standards and coordinate contributions to meet deadlines.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, and manage time effectively while paying attention to details, stakeholders, indicators, and risks.
• Ability to identify, collect, and assess performance indicators and take proactive remedial action as required.

Annual Salary
UA 40,659.53 / USD64,152.61.

Application Closing Date
31st July, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their filled job application form with three (3) professional references, resume (CV) and a cover letter to: b54pomergersandaquisition@ecowas.int using the job title as the subject of the email.

Click here to download the application form (Docx.)

Note
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.

Disclaimer:

• Selection and appointment will be subject to background and reference checks and other administrative requirements.
• ECOWAS does not charge for any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing in connection with application or recruitment processes and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.