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:
Senior Programme Officer – Food Security and Agriculture
Primary Purpose of the Job
Facilitate and coordinate development, implementation, and monitoring of policies, strategies, and programmes aimed at improving agricultural productivity, food security, and economic development in the region.
Duties and Responsibilities
Policy Development and Harmonisation
- Coordinate research to identify policy and regulatory gaps
- Develop and harmonise agricultural policies and standards
- Facilitate approval and implementation across Member States
- Monitor protocol implementation
Research and Information Dissemination
- Manage data collection and analysis
- Identify priority areas for research and innovation
- Maintain regional databases
- Disseminate information through reports and digital platforms
Strategic Planning and Programming
- Identify key intervention areas in agriculture and food security
- Develop long-, medium-, and short-term strategies aligned to RISDP and RAP
- Prepare annual business plans
- Facilitate development of regional programmes
- Support resource mobilisation
Programme Implementation
- Coordinate implementation of policies and investment plans
- Promote agricultural value chains and innovation
- Monitor projects and evaluate impact
- Prepare reports and submissions for policy structures
- Coordinate implementation of decisions by SADC bodies
Management of the Unit
- Develop policies and operational systems
- Manage budgets and staff performance
- Promote a positive work culture
- Ensure compliance with audit and governance requirements
Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics or related field
Experience
- At least ten (10) years in agriculture and food security
- Minimum four (4) years in a management role
Skills Requirements
- Communication and presentation skills
- Leadership and decision-making skills
- Negotiation, networking, and stakeholder management
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strategic policy development
Competencies
- Ability to work under pressure
- Strong leadership and team development
- High level of professionalism and integrity
- Strategic and results-oriented mindset
Remuneration
The SADC Secretariat offers a competitive package for the positions as outlined below.
Job Grade Salary range per annum (US$)
Job Grade 2 US$138,450.80 – 154,176.70
Job Grade 4 US$ 99,643.00 – 93,097.00
Job Grade 6 US$77,084.20 – 72,589.00
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 (Positions 2-3): Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Due to the SADC recruitment policy, nationals of Angola, Eswatini and Seychelles are eligible to apply for the Director Social and Human Development position because of the 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 05 June 2026.
Applications should be accompanied by the following:
- a cover letter stating the position that you want to be considered for and describing how your qualifications, experience, and competencies are relevant to the position;
- not more than five (5) pages of updated curriculum vitae;
- certified copies of your degree(s), Diploma(s) and Certificate(s); and
- 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.