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:
Job Title: Director Infrastructure
Reference: SADC/2/3/3 Vacancy No 2 of 2025
Primary Purpose of the Job
Responsible for senior-level decision-making, day-to-day management, and strategic direction of the infrastructure cluster of the Secretariat, in line with the implementation of the RISDP.
Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Oversee the formulation, review, and implementation of relevant policies, strategies, rules, regulations, systems, and procedures for the directorate
- Identify and recommend specifications for review, installation, and implementation of computerised systems
- Oversee the development of plans and budgets for the directorate, ensuring alignment with corporate goals
- Provide expert guidance in the five Infrastructure focal areas (transport, energy, ICT, water, and meteorology), including:
- Development and review of RISDP sections
- Protocol development and monitoring in Member States
- Policy, strategy, regulation, and standard harmonisation and implementation
- Programme coordination, monitoring, and evaluation
- Data collection, sharing, analysis, and reporting
- Document and report production for SADC Institutions and Policy Organs
- Promotion of SADC work in regional and international forums
- Enforce adherence to legal, regulatory, and internal policies
- Maintain effective stakeholder relations with key partners (SNCs, ICPs, etc.)
- Analyse challenges and provide solutions for directorate efficiency and growth
- Maintain awareness of Secretariat’s operating context to adapt to organisational changes
- Make decisions on project priorities and budget allocation
- Ensure implementation of audit recommendations
- Prepare and oversee the annual Corporate Plan and Risk Register
- Act as Secretary to relevant internal committees or working groups
- Contribute to Senior Management Team activities:
- Establish goals, strategies, and objectives aligned with SADC’s mandate
- Monitor implementation of plans and achievements
- Track Ministerial, Council, and Summit Decisions via the M&E system
- Evaluate and maintain resources and infrastructure for organisational activities
- Research regional integration developments and promote best practices
- Undertake other duties as delegated by the Deputy Executive Secretary – Regional Integration and the Executive Secretary
People Management
- Hold regular directorate liaison meetings
- Build, lead, and motivate a high-performing team
- Ensure team compliance with Secretariat values, policies, standards, and statutory requirements
- Foster a positive workplace and team culture
- Manage recruitment, training, development, supervision, mentoring, motivation, and appraisal of senior officers in collaboration with HR and Admin Directorate
Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Master’s degree in sciences, engineering, economics from a recognised institution
Specialised Knowledge
- Knowledge of integrated programme planning, budgeting, development, administration, and monitoring
- Proficiency in relevant computer software
Experience
- Minimum of 10 years relevant experience, including 5 years in senior managerial roles in infrastructure policy and planning
- Experience in programme development, coordination, and implementation within public/private sector, regional, or international organisations
- Experience in budget management and personnel supervision
Skills Requirements
- Communication and presentation
- Conflict management
- Decision-making
- Entrepreneurial mindset and business acumen
- International relations and diplomacy
- Interpersonal and leadership
- Mentoring and coaching
- Negotiation, persuasion, advocacy, networking, stakeholder management
- Organisational (planning, budgeting, prioritisation, time management)
- Research, analytical, and problem-solving
- Strategic planning and execution
- Team building
Competency Requirements
- Ability to work in a multicultural and political environment
- Motivational and empowering interpersonal style
- Ability to maintain quality under pressure and meet deadlines
- Capacity to inspire and create a high-performance climate
- Conceptual and practical thinking
- Customer focus
- Decisiveness
- Ability to present and gain support for ideas in international/multicultural settings
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Organisational awareness and engagement
- Confidentiality and sensitivity
- Professionalism and strong work ethics
- Innovative thinking and openness to new ideas
- Resilience and self-motivation
- Results and performance orientation
- Strategic vision
Tenure of appointment
The term of appointment of the Director positions shall be for a fixed period of four (4) years, renewable once for another period of four (4) years. While appointments for positions (5 – 8) will be on a fixed-term contract for four (4) years, renewable twice for an equal period, 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.
- are from the following eligible Member States (Position 5 – 8): Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Due to the SADC recruitment policy, ONLY nationals of Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania are eligible to apply for the Director positions because of rules on representation at the management level and the availability of quota points.
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 01 August 2025.
Applications should be accompanied by the following:
(a) over letter stating the position that you want to be considered for and describing how your qualifications, experience, and competencies are relevant to the position;
(b) not more than five (5) pages of updated curriculum vitae;
(c) certified copies of your degree(s), Diploma(s) and Certificate(s); and
(d) 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 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