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 Legal Counsel.
Primary Purpose of the Job
Draft and interpret the SADC Treaty, Protocols, their Annexes and subsidiary instruments. Provide legal advice, assistance and information on related legal matters to all SADC Institutions, Policy Organs, Member States, Directorates and Units of the Secretariat. Monitor the implementation of all Protocols signed by SADC from a legal perspective.
Duties and Responsibilities
General Legal Services
- Act as an adviser to the Management Team of the SADC Secretariat on corporate legal matters.
- Provide legal opinions, advice and assistance on the formulation, review, enforcement and interpretation of corporate legal documents, including policies, rules, regulations, procedures, resolutions, contracts, leases and agreements.
- Draft and interpret the SADC Treaty, Protocols, their Annexes and subsidiary legal instruments.
- Conduct research and analysis on SADC-related legal matters.
- Provide legal advice on staff grievances and disciplinary matters.
- Facilitate the settlement of disputes to which SADC is a party.
- Act as custodian of SADC and Secretariat legal documents.
- Provide legal advice and assistance to all Policy Organs, Directorates and Units of the Secretariat on:
- Drafting, revising and implementing the Treaty, Protocols and other SADC legal instruments.
- Applying and interpreting the Treaty, Protocols and other SADC legal instruments.
- Compliance with decisions and actions related to the Treaty, Protocols and other legal instruments.
- Monitor the status of signature, ratification and accession to Protocols and other legal instruments by Member States.
- Register SADC legal instruments with the United Nations and African Union.
- Participate in and advise SADC Member States on developing and harmonising appropriate laws relating to regional integration.
- Coordinate preparations for and convene meetings of the Committee of Ministers of Justice/Attorneys General, and implement the Committee’s decisions.
- Plan and implement legal risk-management measures.
- Implement audit recommendations.
- Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
At least a Master’s Degree in Law from a recognised institution.
Professional Certification
Licensed or certified to practise law in any jurisdiction of a SADC Member State.
Specialised Knowledge
- Knowledge of international treaties, protocols, conventions, charters and pacts.
- Knowledge of laws.
- Proficiency in computers and software relevant to the position.
Experience
At least seven (7) years of work experience providing legal advice, preferably in a regional or international organisation or another relevant setting.
Skills Requirements
- Communication and presentation skills.
- Interpersonal skills.
- Networking and relationship-building skills.
- Persuasion and advocacy skills.
- Organisational skills, including planning, budgeting, time management and work prioritisation.
- Research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Competency Requirements
- Maintain quality while working under pressure and adhering to deadlines.
- Demonstrate conceptual and practical thinking.
- Be customer-focused and decisive.
- Demonstrate the ability to work independently and largely unsupervised.
- Maintain confidentiality and respect sensitive situations.
- Be methodical and organised, with a high level of attention to detail.
- Demonstrate organisational awareness and understand how to engage the organisation to get things done.
- 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.
- Be a team player.
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.