JOB PROFILE
    TITLE     LEGAL OFFICER
    INSTITUTION     COMMUNITY COURT OF JUSTICE, ECOWAS
    GRADE      P2
    ANNUAL SALARY     (UA 42,916.53  USD 67, 713.70)
    STATUS    PERMANENT
    DEPARTMENT    REGISTRY
    DIRECTORATE    
    DIVISION     OFFICE OF THE CHIEF REGISTRAR
    LINE SUPERVISOR    CHIEF REGISTRAR
    SUPERVISING     
    DUTY STATION     ABUJA/ NIGERIA

Applications should be sent to: legalofficercr@courtecowas.org

 

ROLE OVERVIEW

Assists the Chief Registrar by providing essential services in the performance of his official functions.

 

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Assist the Chief Registrar in the performance of his official functions.
  • Conduct Legal Research for the Chief Registrar
  • Draft Paper presentations for the Chief Registrar
  • To maintain the Chief Registrar’s Diaries, schedule appointments, correspondence and perform legal tasks in the office of the Chief Registrar.
  • To assist the Chief Registrar in drafting memoranda and in carrying out legal research.
  • To assist the Chief Registrar in proofreading documents.
  • To maintain Chief Registrar’s Case files.
  • Maintain Dockets of Legal Texts and Instruments in the Office of the Chief Registrar.
  • Assist the Chief Registrar in monitoring the execution of Orders of Court such as compilation of cost, computation of compensations/Damages and Issuance of Witness Summons.
  • Track and follow up on time limits as ordered by Court and report to the Chief Registrar accordingly.
  • Assist the Chief Registrar in maintaining all Court Records.
  • Assist the Chief Registrar in monitoring the caseload management.
  • Collate and keep custody of all Institutional Statistics and Records for the Chief Registrar.
  • Maintain and Keep Custody of Court Orders and Exhibits for the Chief Registrar.
  • Assist in maintaining the Minute of Proceedings of Court sessions for the Chief Registrar.
  • Keeps custody of the Institutional Seal for the Chief Registrar.
  • Draw up and maintain forms and precedents for the Chief Registrar.
  • Carryout tasks as assigned by the Chief Registrar.

 

 

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

       Education:       

  • A minimum of University Degree in Law.
  • Possession of higher Degree would be an advantage.

       Experience:  

  • Three (3) years relevant professional experience, including three (2) years relevant International experience.
  • Experience in a variety of private and public institutions preferably in a multi-cultural setting and in an international institution would be an advantage

 

AGE LIMIT

  • Candidates should not be over 50 years old at the point of recruitment and must be a citizen of one   of the ECOWAS Member States. This is not applied for 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 the subordinates to build strong working relationships and improve performance.
  • Contribute to maintaining organizational unit’s performance goals and standards.
  • Interpersonal skills with ability to keep a client informed of progress or setbacks in projects of relevance to timeline, quality and quantity;
  • Ability to proactively interact with users (lawyers) and build strong trusting relationships based on mutual respect and regular discussions;
  • Ability to establish and sustain professional credibility with users/stakeholders in a manner that anticipates their need, mitigates issues and that 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 users/lawyers service responsibilities and established client service standards;
  • Demonstrate respect for cultural differences, fairness and ability to relate well with people from varied backgrounds, nationality, gender, ethnicity, race 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.
  • 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, sectors, programs 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/program 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;
  • Ability to respect chain of command in an appropriate 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, 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.