Senior Officer – Policy and Strategy

SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Background

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a regional economic community founded and maintained by countries in Southern Africa. It aims to further the socio-economic, political, and security cooperation among its Member States and foster regional integration in order to achieve peace, stability, and wealth. SADC currently has sixteen (16) Member States with a population of approximately 340 million and a combined GDP of US$720 billion.

The Secretariat is currently recruiting for various positions to enhance its capacity to deliver on the above mandate. The Secretariat is therefore inviting suitably qualified and experienced citizens of SADC to apply for the following positions tenable at its Headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana or as stated in the job advert:

Position: Senior Officer – Policy and Strategy
Job Grade: 4

The Southern Africa Development Community Secretariat (SADC) is seeking to recruit highly motivated and experienced professionals who are citizens of Member States of the SADC to fill the following regional position in its Organisation Structure.

Senior Officer – Policy and Strategy

Primary Purpose of the Job

• Conduct research to inform periodic reviews of policies and implementation of strategies in the areas of regional integration, development and cooperation as defined in the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP)
• Coordinate the development, review and updating of policies and strategies in the areas of regional integration, development and cooperation
• Coordinate the harmonization of regional frameworks with Member States
• Manage the efforts and performance of the team falling under the responsibility of the Senior Officer

Duties and Responsibilities

Policy and Strategy

• Support the policy and strategy formulation process in the fields of regional integration, development and cooperation within the SADC Secretariat in consultation with Member States
• Facilitate the development and review of the Medium-Term Strategies including the SADC Strategy Development, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting (SPMER) and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plans (RISDP)
• Coordinate and ensure alignment of SADC regional policies and strategies to continental and international development initiatives
• Promote the Secretariat’s role of a policy think-tank on key regional integration issues, in collaboration with regional and international research networks
• Coordinate with Research and Statistics unit to conduct research that feeds into policy development, analysis and monitoring of key regional integration, development and cooperation issues and produce Research and Policy Paper Series
• Initiate relevant reports to Council and Summit
• Provide technical advice to align national policies of member states with overarching regional integration policies and strategies
• Analyse and assess the effectiveness and outreach of SADC policies and programmes; and make appropriate recommendations for corrective actions
• Coordinate with external policy-making bodies in Member States to develop papers on issues that interest SADC, and that can inform policymaking
• Strengthen the partnerships between the Secretariat and Stakeholders through the implementation of a stakeholder engagement mechanism
• Facilitate periodic Policy Dialogue Forums between Member States and other stakeholders on strategic regional integration and development issues
• Organise and coordinate policy dialogue forums on key regional integration issues
• Facilitate effective functioning of SADC National Committees and follow-up on implementation of regional policies at national level
• Feed information into and service the think tank mechanism led by the DES
  Regional Integration
• Coordination with regional, continental, and global bodies to promote strategic partnerships in order to advance the SADC Agenda

Servicing of Relevant Technical & Policy Committees, Meetings & Workshops

• Prepare reports, documents and annotated agenda for submission to various policy structures of SADC
• Liaise with Conference Services Unit to (a) organise the logistics for the meetings and workshops, and (b) process / produce the necessary meeting and conference documents and presentations
• Facilitate technical committees, meetings and workshops as required
• Prepare records of the technical and policy meetings including communiqué for policy meetings

Management of the Unit

• Develop, update and implement policies, strategies, processes, systems and procedures for the effective delivery of the unit’s objectives
• Participate in formulation of the Corporate Strategy
• Develop short- and long-term plans and budgets for the unit, monitor progress, assure adherence and evaluate performance on a regular basis
• Manage the delegated unit budget to ensure optimal use
• Achieve the mission, goals and objectives of the unit, and report progress to the Head
• Ensure team compliance with all relevant Secretariat values, policies and standards, and statutory requirements
• Work towards building a positive workplace and team culture, and a climate that attracts, retains and motivates top quality personnel
• Plan the unit’s activity and maintain direct oversight on its operations and the staff in terms of (a) work scheduling, (b) estimating resource and staffing needs, (c) allocating and delegating tasks, and (d) recruiting, training, developing, supporting, supervising, mentoring, motivating and appraising staff
• Research and adopt best practices in own area of work, and maintain high level of knowledge in order to effectively undertake the duties of the post
• Undertake any other duties as delegated by the Director

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• At least a Masters Degree in Economics; Development Studies; International Relations; Public Policy Studies, or related technical field from a recognized institution

Specialised Knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of research, analysis and policy advisory
• Proficient in the use of computers and computer software relevant to the position.

Experience

• At least 10 years professional experience in development policy research, analysis, and advisory activities within a policy research or academic institution, public sector, private entity or social sector
• Experience of working with multiple stakeholders, including governments, non-state actors and regional or international organisations
• This includes a minimum of 4 years in a line management position

Skills Requirements

• Communication and presentation skills
• Conflict management skills
• Decision-making skills
• International relations skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Mentoring and coaching skills
• Negotiation, persuasion, advocacy, networking, relationship building and stakeholder management skills
• Organisational skills (planning, budgeting, work prioritisation, time management)
• Research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strategy and policy development skills
• Team building skills

Competency Requirement

• Apply interpersonal styles/methods to develop, motivate and empower individuals toward achievement of goals
• Capable of maintaining quality whilst working under pressure and adhering to deadlines
• Capacity to motivate and influence people positively, and create a climate where people want to do their best
• Conceptual and practical thinking
• Customer focused
• Decisive
• Demonstrated ability to work well, present and win support for ideas in an international, multi-cultural and highly political environment
• Organisational awareness with an understanding of how to engage the organisation to get things done
• Maintain confidentiality and respectful of sensitive situations
• Methodical and organised, and able to look at the big picture without losing attention to details
• Professionalism and adherence to good work ethics
• Question status quo / conventional approaches and encourage new ideas and innovations for progress
• Resilience and personal drive, self-motivation
• Results and performance driven
• Visionary, thinks and acts strategically

Remuneration

The SADC Secretariat offers a competitive package for the positions as outlined below.

Job Grade Salary range per annum (US$)

Job Grade 4: 93,097.00 – 99,643.00

Tenure of appointment

The term of appointment of the positions shall be for a fixed period of four (4) years, renewable twice for another period of four (4) years, subject to:

• satisfactory completion of 6 months’ probation;
• satisfactory performance;
• retirement age limit of 60 years; and
• the continued need for the position.

Eligibility

The positions are open to qualified applicants who:

• Are 52 years old or younger. This requirement is based on the Organisation’s need to recruit staff who can serve for a reasonable period of time before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
• The SADC recruitment age limit for internal candidates shall be 56 years to remedy turnover, retain institutional memory and ensure business continuity.
• Are from the following eligible Member States: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Closing Date and Submission of Applications: Applications must be submitted to the SADC National Contact Point of the eligible Member States not later than or on 20 November 2026.

Applications should be accompanied by the following:

1. a cover letter stating the position that you want to be considered for and describing how your qualifications, experience, and competencies are relevant to the position;
2. not more than five (5) pages of updated curriculum vitae;
3. certified copies of your degree(s), Diploma(s) and Certificate(s); and
4. duly signed and completed SADC Application Form.

Should you be shortlisted, you will be required to produce evidence of educational and professional qualifications supporting your application, on the day of your interview.

Gender Mainstreaming

SADC is an equal opportunity employer and particularly encourages applications from female candidates.

Mainstreaming of People with Disability

SADC is an equal opportunity employer and particularly encourages and promotes employment for people with disabilities.

If you are results orientated, you have a passion for the transformation and development of Southern Africa and possess the required competencies, please submit your application.

Only applicants, who meet the requirements of the SADC Secretariat and being considered for an interview, will be contacted. Should you not hear from the SADC Secretariat within two months after the closing date, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.

For further details on the position that you want to apply for, job profiles, and SADC Application Form, refer to the SADC Website: www.sadc.int

Details can also be obtained from the National Contact Point in your respective country.