Recruitment of a competition expert (Lusophone)

Published On - March 19, 2025

Ibrima Tambajang Procurement

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE COMPETITION EXPERT

The ERCA intends to proceed with the hire of a services of a consultant to serve as competition expert (Lusophone)

  1. Background

Within the framework of the implementation of ECOWAS competition rules, the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) is responsible, as stipulated by the Supplementary Act A/SA.2/12/08, in particular for:

– Monitoring commercial activities within the common market with a view to detecting practices likely to distort the proper functioning of the market or to harm the economic interests of consumers;

– Carrying out enquiries and investigations relating to the conduct of commercial activities in the common market, with a view to determining whether a business entity is engaging in commercial conduct in breach of the Community competition rules;

– Conducting studies and publishing reports and information on issues relating to companies’ market shares, demand for goods and services and price trends, in the context of the application of Community competition rules;

The implementation of such activities requires expertise in the analysis, development of programmes and their implementation. However, ECOWAS operates in three official languages, the analysis, programme implementation, and   documentations are to be carried out into such official languages. ERCA currently have no competition expert capable of carrying out such core functions in Portuguese, hence a challenge in the implementation and enforcement of the community competition rules in Lusophone.  These challenges require a competition expert within ERCA to carry out analysis, review of activities, and alignment of legal and operational instruments for effective implementation and monitoring of competition in ECOWAS region.

  1. Objectives

The aim to hire the services of competition expert is principally among the core mandates of ERCA is to conduct analyses competition issues, and to ensure the alignment of the legal instruments and other related texts of the ERCA in Portuguese. In the same line, the expert is to work closely with closely with ERCA to coordinate all activities related to translations, interpretation of analysis, programme and document preparation in Portuguese, thus working with national experts and national competition authorities in the implementation of the competition rules.

  1. Roles and Responsibilities

The responsibility of the competition expert (Lusophone) is to ensure compliance with the objectives and scope of the assignments, including the specific areas revision and alignment of legal instruments and operational documents within the context of application of three official languages of the Community.

In particular, the competition (Lusophone) expert shall:

  • work closely with ERCA to coordinate all activities related to the alignment, development and dissemination of legal instruments in Portuguese.
  • Conduct analysis related to competition and consumer protection issues, with the application of Portuguese language.
  • liaise with stakeholders, including national experts, and national competition authorities relating to analysis and harmonization of instruments and documents into Portuguese language;
  • facilitate communication and collaboration among Lusophone Member States of the Community.
  1. Deliverable/Reporting
  • Aligned Portuguese version of legal instruments and revisions therein,
  • Harmonized working documents of ERCA in Portuguese.
  • Analysed reports on Community issues in Portuguese
  • Communication template in Portuguese.
  1. Duration

The duration of the expert is Six (6) months renewable on the need basis.

  1. Financing

The total remuneration package of the accountant is USD2, 000 (Two thousand US$) monthly.

  1. Consultant’s Profile

The Consultant must have the following qualifications and experience:

  1. A post-graduate degree in economics, law, public policy or a related field.
  2. A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in competition policy, consumer protection, and regulatory reform.
  • Experience in competition policy and law.
  1. Knowledge of international best practices and the ECOWAS provisions in competition and consumer protection, including experience in working with the national competition authorities.
  2. Excellent analytical and report writing skills, as well as strong communication skills.
  3. Excellent in Portuguese language, in speaking, writing and analysis.
  4. Submission of Proposals:

Interested candidates should submit a proposal that includes:

  1. A detailed CV and relevant qualifications of the expert.
  2. A cover letter outlining the applicant’s interest in the assignment.

 f) Deadline for submission

The deadline for submission of proposals is April 30th, 2025.

  1. Contact

All proposals should be submitted electronically to the following address: rnana@ecowas.int / itambajang@ecowas.int

ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority

Bertil Harding

Bijilo, The Gambia