Programme Officer – Gender Mainstreaming at SADC

July 15, 2025

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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: Programme Officer – Gender Mainstreaming
Reference: SADC/2/3/3 – Vacancy No. 2 of 2025

Primary Purpose of the Job

Support the Head of Gender in ensuring the mainstreaming of gender perspectives into all SADC policies, programmes, projects, and activities at both national and regional levels, with particular reference to Parts Two to Five of the Revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.
Monitor, evaluate, and report on progress made in the implementation of all gender commitments of SADC Member States at regional, continental, and international levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

Draft a calendar of events for the year and maintain effective and efficient development and management of the coordinated Gender Mainstreaming Management Structures of the Gender Unit.
Provide effective support to the Senior Programme Officer in gender mainstreaming.
Facilitate the mainstreaming of gender into the SADC Secretariat programme of work.
Assist the Senior Programme Officer with the development of funding proposals for gender programmes.
Mainstream gender into other directorate funding proposals.
Roll out the SADC Gender Mainstreaming Resource Kit to build capacity across all SADC institutions and Member States.
Roll out gender mainstreaming guidelines.
Facilitate and coordinate the mainstreaming of gender into all SADC programmes, policies, and activities.
Provide effective support to the Senior Programme Officer on women empowerment issues.
Facilitate implementation of the Framework for Achieving Gender Parity in Politics and Decision-Making by Member States.
Develop the Gender Monitor.
Facilitate the development and implementation of guidelines for establishing and strengthening women caucuses.
Train women parliamentarians and candidates in advocacy, leadership, and management skills.
Sensitise MPs and political party leadership on the importance of women’s participation in politics and decision-making.
Facilitate the review and amendment of national constitutions and electoral laws to ensure gender sensitivity and responsiveness.
Compile bi-annual reports on women in politics and decision-making positions.
Facilitate the development and implementation of the Regional Multi-dimensional Women Economic Empowerment Programme, focusing on articles 15 to 19 of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.
Facilitate the development and implementation of a regional trade capacity-building programme for women.
Develop a methodology for assessing the gender impact of trade policies.
Coordinate the Women in Business Trade Fairs.
Assist the Head of Gender in the review, development, and monitoring of relevant protocols, gender policy harmonisation/alignment, and strategy and plan implementation.
Support improved quality programme and project delivery of the Gender Unit by monitoring expenditure and budgetary allocations according to resource ceilings and funding sources.
Support budgetary entries and requisitions/voucher approvals on SIMS.
Participate in and prepare monthly programme reports, quarterly reports, and Gender Unit Review Meetings.
Contribute to mid-year and year-end reviews of the Gender Unit Operational Plan.
Draft papers, concept notes, meeting minutes, annotated agendas, and related documents.
Promote the relevant SADC programme portfolio, pipeline, specific projects, and programme impact.
Organise technical and policy meetings and workshops.
Engage with and present to various stakeholders on sector issues.
Monitor and evaluate implementation of programmes/projects and prepare M&E reports, including for the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan and the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.
Prepare for Gender Ministers’ Meetings and support implementation of decisions from these meetings.
Contribute to the Gender Unit’s submissions for Council and Summit reports.
Monitor and report on the extent of gender mainstreaming by Member States and the SADC Secretariat.
Guide implementation of the Gender Equality Seal within the SADC Secretariat and Member States.
Collaborate with assigned consultants for delivery of work in the Unit.

Research and Knowledge Management

Promote documentation and sharing of knowledge on gender mainstreaming concerns and trends.
Evaluate programmes and document lessons learned, best practices, and replicable strategies in the region.
Promote evidence-based programming through regular data and information collection using both primary and secondary research.
Coordinate research projects on regional gender issues.
Analyse data from commissioned research.
Develop and maintain a regional gender database.
Align gender policies and report on progress.
Prepare data for publication on the SADC website and other media platforms.
Organise sharing of technical information among Member States.
Facilitate the production of the biennial SADC Gender and Development Monitor.
Publish a monthly e-bulletin on key regional developments.

Stakeholder Engagement

Establish formal contacts with regional gender advocacy groups.
Maintain effective contact with Member States on all programme-related matters to ensure synergised implementation.
Collaborate with other directorates when joint coordination is required.
Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervising officer.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

At least a Master’s degree in Gender and Development, Gender Policy Analysis, Women’s Studies, Development Studies, or a related technical field from a recognised institution.

Specialised Knowledge

Knowledge and understanding of integrated programme planning, budgeting, development, administration, and monitoring for gender programmes.
Proficient in the use of relevant computer software.

Experience

At least seven (7) years of relevant experience within a public or private sector, regional or international organisation.

Skills Requirements

Communication and presentation skills
Interpersonal skills
Negotiation, networking, and relationship-building skills
Organisational skills: planning, budgeting, time management, work prioritisation
Research, analytical, and problem-solving skills

Competency Requirements

Capable of maintaining quality while working under pressure and meeting deadlines
Conceptual and practical thinker
Customer-focused and decisive
Able to work independently and with minimal supervision
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in an international, multicultural, and highly political environment
Maintains confidentiality and respects sensitive situations
Methodical, organised, and detail-oriented
Organisationally aware and understands how to engage systems to get things done
Professional and committed to good work ethics
Challenges conventional approaches and encourages innovation
Resilient, self-motivated, and performance-driven
Team player with a cooperative attitude

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;

(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