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 Title: Head – Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
Reference: SADC/2/3/3 – Vacancy No. 2 of 2025
Purpose of the Job
- The Head of the DRR Unit will provide strategic leadership, coordination, and technical guidance to SADC’s regional disaster risk management agenda.
- This role entails overseeing the development and implementation of regional DRR strategies, supporting Member States in policy harmonization, and strengthening institutional capacities to reduce disaster risks and enhance resilience.
- Manage the efforts and performance of the DRR team.
Duties and Responsibilities
Disaster Risk Reduction
- In collaboration with other technical programmes and projects involved in DRR at the Secretariat, and in liaison with SADC Member States, partners, and stakeholders, take the lead in the development and sustainability of the regional DRR programme and its implementation strategy.
- Lead the formulation, implementation, and review of regional DRR policies, frameworks, and action plans.
- Liaise with Member States and strategic partners/stakeholders on the implementation of the SADC DRR Strategic Plan, including facilitation of its approval processes through SADC structures and mobilising resources for appropriate programmes and projects.
- Facilitate harmonization of regional DRR policies with the Sendai Framework, Agenda 2063, the SDGs, and RISDP 2020–2030.
- Facilitate, organise, and ensure DRR Unit participation in regional and national training programmes, workshops, seminars, and post-disaster analysis activities focused on disaster reduction and identification of regional and national gaps.
- Mobilise financial resources and manage partnerships with development partners.
- Liaise with Procurement in drafting terms of reference for service contracts.
- Coordinate, facilitate, and monitor policy and protocol adoption, harmonisation, and implementation in Member States.
- Monitor implementation of the SADC DRR programme in consultation with Member States.
- Facilitate technical cooperation, capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge-sharing across Member States.
- Coordinate and manage financial and technical aspects of the DRR Programme, ensuring all reporting obligations are met.
- Ensure timely production of regular progress reports, relevant studies, situation analyses, bulletins, presentations, and other required documents.
- Establish monitoring systems and operational procedures to meet the Programme’s targets.
- Liaise with other Directorates involved in DRR.
- Support Member States in developing, coordinating, and harmonising national DRR practices and capacities aligned with regional and global frameworks.
- Lead and coordinate Secretariat participation in multi-agency disaster assessment missions to support affected Member States in assessments, planning, coordination, and appeals to the international community.
- Establish and maintain high-level contacts and partnerships with governments and regional/international partner organisations.
- Build partnerships and joint programmes with UN, AUC, and other RECs on DRR framework implementation.
- Represent the SADC Secretariat on DRR matters and contribute to public communication strategies.
- Convene regular programme meetings to monitor progress and implementation of agreed decisions.
- Identify programme funding gaps and facilitate resource mobilisation.
Management of the Unit
- Develop, update, and implement policies, strategies, systems, and procedures to deliver the unit’s objectives effectively.
- Participate in formulation of the Corporate Strategy.
- Develop short- and long-term plans and budgets for the unit, monitor progress, and evaluate performance regularly.
- Manage the unit budget to ensure optimal use of resources.
- Achieve the mission, goals, and objectives of the unit and report progress to the Head.
- Ensure team compliance with Secretariat values, policies, standards, and statutory requirements.
- Promote a positive workplace culture that attracts, retains, and motivates high-quality personnel.
- Oversee unit operations and staff performance: work planning, task allocation, staffing needs, recruitment, mentoring, and appraisals.
- Research and apply best practices, maintaining high-level knowledge in the field.
- Undertake other duties as delegated by the Executive Secretary and/or Deputy Executive Secretary.
Position Requirements
Qualifications
- At least a master’s degree in Natural, Environmental, or Social Sciences, with emphasis on development and risk management issues from a recognised institution.
Professional Certification
- Exposure to emergency training.
Specialised Knowledge
- Knowledge of SADC peace and security, regional economic and integration issues.
- Knowledge of disaster risk management and climate change.
- Proficiency in relevant computer software.
Experience
- At least 10–15 years of work experience in disaster risk management or humanitarian programmes in the SADC region within public, private, regional, or international organisations.
- At least 4 years must be 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 Requirements
- Able to develop, motivate, and empower individuals to achieve goals
- Maintains quality while working under pressure and meeting deadlines
- Able to drive results in political and diplomatic environments
- Motivates and influences others to deliver their best
- Conceptual and practical thinker
- Customer-focused and decisive
- Able to present and advocate for ideas in multicultural and political settings
- Organisational awareness and engagement ability
- Maintains confidentiality and respect for sensitive situations
- Highly methodical and detail-oriented while seeing the bigger picture
- Adheres to professionalism and strong work ethics
- Challenges conventional thinking and encourages innovation
- Resilient, self-driven, and motivated
- Results-oriented and performance-focused
- Visionary with strategic thinking and execution
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