Controller of Accounting Services at SADC

November 2, 2026

Location: Gaborone, Botswana

Reference: SADC/2/3/3

Closing Date: 20 November 2026

Background

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a regional economic community founded and maintained by countries in Southern Africa. It aims to further socio-economic, political and security cooperation among its Member States and foster regional integration to achieve peace, stability and prosperity.

SADC currently has sixteen (16) Member States, with a population of approximately 340 million and a combined GDP of US$720 billion.

The SADC Secretariat is seeking to recruit a highly motivated and experienced professional who is a citizen of a SADC Member State to fill the position of Controller of Accounting Services.

Primary Purpose of the Job

Coordinate, supervise and facilitate an efficient and effective financial accounting and reporting process for the SADC Secretariat.
Manage the efforts and performance of the team under the Controller.

Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Accounting and Reporting

Coordinate the preparation and submission of monthly and quarterly management accounts to Secretariat management.
Coordinate the preparation and submission of the Secretariat’s annual financial statements to auditors and ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements.
Set timetables for completion of accounting tasks to ensure compliance with reporting deadlines.
Implement adequate financial controls, checks and reconciliations of the general ledger to sub-ledgers, ensuring these are performed at month-end.
Approve all monthly journals prepared by the Accounting Unit and all year-end journals.
Review monthly age analyses of receivables and payables.
Approve all year-end journals and account/lead schedules for annual statutory reporting.
Ensure the chart of accounts is appropriately configured, maintained and subject to suitable authorisation procedures for future updates.
Keep up to date with international accounting standards (IFRS) and provide adequate training to the accounting team.
Provide technical financial advisory services on compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards and on treasury and budgetary matters.

Budgeting

Oversee the capture of approved departmental budgets in SIMS.
Provide monthly feedback on Finance Department variance reports.

Internal Controls

Implement adequate measures and financial controls to strengthen internal controls and enhance corporate governance, accountability and transparency.
Update the audit matrix quarterly.
Implement and maintain appropriate structures, policies and procedures to ensure adequate control over all financial accounting activities of the Secretariat.
Monitor and maintain appropriate controls and segregation of duties through accounting-system user-access controls, ensuring these reflect users’ rights, duties and authority.
Monitor and ensure compliance with donor requirements on financial accounting.

Other Functions

Prepare annual and quarterly financial statements and financial performance reports to meet statutory reporting deadlines.
Coordinate the drafting of annotated agendas for Audit Committee and Finance Committee meetings.
Coordinate, review and/or draft annotated agendas on Directorate of Finance matters for submission to Audit Committee, Finance Committee and Council meetings.
Provide secretariat services, including logistical arrangements for the SADC Board of Auditors during Audit Committee meetings and audit execution.
Follow up on implementation of Council decisions under the Directorate of Finance.
Oversee arrangements for the transfer of the Board of Auditors Chair.
Draft annotated agendas and records for the Board of Auditors.

Management of the Unit

Develop, update and implement policies, strategies, processes, systems and procedures for effective delivery of the unit’s objectives.
Participate in the formulation of the Corporate Strategy.
Develop short- and long-term plans and budgets, monitor progress, ensure adherence and evaluate performance regularly.
Manage the delegated unit budget to ensure optimal use.
Achieve the unit’s mission, goals and objectives and report progress to the Head.
Ensure team compliance with relevant Secretariat values, policies, standards and statutory requirements.
Build a positive workplace and team culture that attracts, retains and motivates high-quality personnel.
Plan unit activities and oversee operations and staff, including work scheduling, resource and staffing estimates, task allocation, recruitment, training, development, support, supervision, motivation and performance appraisal.
Identify and implement leading practices to promote efficient and effective financial accounting and reporting.
Undertake any other duties delegated by the Head.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

At least a Master’s Degree in a finance-related field from a recognised institution.

Professional Certification

Professional accountancy certification such as ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS, ACPA or equivalent.

Specialised Knowledge

Knowledge of IAS, IFRS and IPSAS.
Proficiency in computers and software relevant to the position.

Experience

At least ten (10) years of working experience in finance, preferably within a public or private sector, regional or international organisation.
A minimum of four (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, including planning, budgeting, work prioritisation and time management.
Research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Strategy and policy development skills.
Team-building skills.

Competency Requirements

Apply interpersonal styles and methods to develop, motivate and empower individuals towards achieving goals.
Maintain quality while working under pressure and adhering to deadlines.
Motivate and positively influence people and create a climate where people want to do their best.
Demonstrate conceptual and practical thinking.
Be customer-focused and decisive.
Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in an international, multicultural and highly political environment.
Demonstrate organisational awareness and understand how to engage the organisation to get things done.
Maintain confidentiality and respect sensitive situations.
Be methodical and organised, with attention to detail and the ability to see the bigger picture.
Demonstrate professionalism and good work ethics.
Question conventional approaches and encourage new ideas and innovations.
Demonstrate resilience, personal drive and self-motivation.
Be results- and performance-driven.
Think and act strategically, with a visionary outlook.

Remuneration

The SADC Secretariat offers a competitive remuneration package. The source announcement lists the following annual salary ranges:

Job Grade 4: US$93,097.00–US$99,643.00
Job Grade 6: US$72,589.00–US$77,084.20

The specific grade for this position is not stated in the supplied announcement.

Tenure of Appointment

The appointment is for a fixed period of four (4) years, renewable twice for another period of four (4) years, subject to:

Satisfactory completion of six (6) months’ probation.
Satisfactory performance.
The retirement age limit of 60 years.
The continued need for the position.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

Be 52 years old or younger. This requirement is based on the Organisation’s need to recruit staff who can serve for a reasonable period before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
Internal candidates may be up to 56 years old, to remedy turnover, retain institutional memory and ensure business continuity.
Be citizens of an eligible SADC Member State: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia or Zimbabwe.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted to the SADC National Contact Point in the eligible Member State on or before 20 November 2026.

Applications must include:

A cover letter stating the position applied for and explaining how the applicant’s qualifications, experience and competencies are relevant.
An updated curriculum vitae of no more than five (5) pages.
Certified copies of degrees, diplomas and certificates.
A duly signed and completed SADC Application Form.

Shortlisted applicants must produce evidence of their educational and professional qualifications on the day of the interview.

For further details about the position, the job profile and the SADC Application Form, visit https://www.sadc.int/ or contact the National Contact Point in your country.

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.

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