Senior Officer – Policy and Strategy 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 Senior Officer – Policy and Strategy.

Primary Purpose of the Job

Conduct research to inform periodic reviews of policies and implementation of strategies in regional integration, development and cooperation, as defined in the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP).
Coordinate the development, review and updating of policies and strategies in regional integration, development and cooperation.
Coordinate the harmonisation of regional frameworks with Member States.
Manage the efforts and performance of the team under the Senior Officer.

Duties and Responsibilities

Policy and Strategy

Support policy and strategy formulation in regional integration, development and cooperation within the SADC Secretariat, in consultation with Member States.
Facilitate the development and review of medium-term strategies, including the SADC Strategy Development, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting (SPMER) and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plans (RISDP).
Coordinate and ensure alignment of SADC regional policies and strategies with continental and international development initiatives.
Promote the Secretariat’s role as a policy think-tank on key regional integration issues, in collaboration with regional and international research networks, and produce periodic SADC Policy Dialogue and Analysis Paper series.
Coordinate with the Research and Statistics Unit to conduct research that informs policy development, analysis and monitoring of key regional integration, development and cooperation issues, and produce Research and Policy Paper Series.
Initiate relevant reports to Council and Summit.
Provide technical advice to align national policies of Member States with overarching regional integration policies and strategies.
Analyse and assess the effectiveness and outreach of SADC policies and programmes and make recommendations for corrective actions.
Coordinate with external policy-making bodies in Member States to develop papers on issues of interest to SADC that can inform policymaking.
Strengthen partnerships between the Secretariat and stakeholders through a stakeholder engagement mechanism.
Facilitate periodic Policy Dialogue Forums between Member States and other stakeholders on strategic regional integration and development issues.
Organise and coordinate policy dialogue forums on key regional integration issues.
Facilitate the effective functioning of SADC National Committees and follow up on the implementation of regional policies at national level.
Feed information into and service the think-tank mechanism led by the DES Regional Integration.
Coordinate with regional, continental and global bodies to promote strategic partnerships and advance the SADC Agenda.

Servicing of Relevant Technical and Policy Committees, Meetings and Workshops

Prepare reports, documents and annotated agendas for submission to various SADC policy structures.
Liaise with the Conference Services Unit to organise meeting and workshop logistics and process or produce the necessary meeting and conference documents and presentations.
Facilitate technical committees, meetings and workshops as required.
Prepare records of technical and policy meetings, including communiqués for policy meetings.

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 for the unit, monitor progress, ensure adherence and evaluate performance regularly.
Manage the delegated unit budget to ensure optimal use.
Achieve the mission, goals and objectives of the unit 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, mentoring, motivation and performance appraisal.
Research and adopt best practices in the relevant area of work and maintain a high level of knowledge to perform the duties effectively.
Undertake any other duties delegated by the Director.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

At least a Master’s Degree in Economics, Development Studies, International Relations, Public Policy Studies or a related technical field from a recognised institution.

Specialised Knowledge

Knowledge and understanding of research, analysis and policy advisory work.
Proficiency in computers and software relevant to the position.

Experience

At least ten (10) years of professional experience in development policy research, analysis and advisory activities within a policy research or academic institution, public sector, private entity or social sector.
Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including governments, non-state actors, and regional or international organisations.
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.
Work effectively, present ideas and gain support 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 the ability to see the bigger picture without losing attention to detail.
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.