Controller of Accounting Services (Job Grade 4)

REF: SADC/2/3/3. Based at SADC Headquarters, Gaborone, Botswana.

Primary purpose of the job

• Coordinate, supervise and facilitate an efficient and effective financial accounting and reporting process for the SADC Secretariat.
• Manage the efforts and performance of the team under the Controller.

Duties and responsibilities

• Financial accounting & reporting: coordinate preparation and submission of monthly/quarterly management accounts and the Secretariat's annual financial statements; set timetables for accounting tasks; implement financial controls and GL-to-sub-ledger reconciliations; approve monthly and year-end journals; review age-analysis of receivables and payables; maintain the chart of accounts and authorisation procedures; keep up to date with IFRS and train the accounting team; advise on IPSAS compliance.
• Budgeting: oversee capture of the department's approved budget on SIMS; provide monthly variance feedback.
• Internal controls: strengthen the internal control environment, corporate governance, accountability and transparency; update the audit matrix each quarter; maintain policies and procedures over financial accounting activities; control user access rights; monitor compliance with donor financial-accounting requirements.
• Other functions: prepare annual and quarterly financial statements and performance reports; draft annotated agendas for the Audit Committee and Finance Committee; provide secretariat services for the Board of Auditors during audit execution; follow up on Council decisions under the Directorate of Finance; arrange the transfer of the Board of Auditors' Chair.
• Management of the unit: develop and implement the unit's policies, strategies, processes and procedures; participate in formulating the Corporate Strategy; develop and manage the unit's plans, budgets and staff; undertake other duties delegated by the Head.

Qualifications and experience

• At least a Master's Degree in a finance-related field from a recognised institution.
• Professional accountancy certification such as ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS, ACPA or equivalent.
• Knowledge of IAS, IFRS and IPSAS; proficient in computers and relevant software.
• Minimum of 10 years' working experience in finance, preferably within a public or private sector, regional or international organisation, including a minimum of 4 years in a line management position.

Skills requirements

Communication and presentation, conflict management, decision-making, international relations, interpersonal, leadership, mentoring and coaching, negotiation/persuasion/advocacy/networking/stakeholder management, organisational (planning, budgeting, prioritisation, time management), research/analytical/problem-solving, strategy and policy development, and team building skills.

Competency requirements

Capable of maintaining quality under pressure and deadlines; motivates and influences positively; conceptual and practical thinker; customer focused; decisive; works well in an international, multi-cultural and highly political environment; organisationally aware; maintains confidentiality; methodical with attention to detail; professional; questions convention and encourages innovation; resilient and self-motivated; results and performance driven; visionary, thinks and acts strategically.

About SADC: the Southern African Development Community is a regional economic community of 16 Member States (Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe), with a combined population of approximately 340 million and a combined GDP of US$720 billion. The Secretariat is based at SADC Headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana.

Tenure: a fixed term of 4 years, renewable twice for a further 4 years each time, subject to satisfactory completion of 6 months' probation, satisfactory performance, the retirement age limit of 60, and the continued need for the position.

Eligibility: open to citizens of Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, aged 52 or younger (56 or younger for internal SADC candidates). SADC is an equal opportunity employer and particularly encourages applications from women and from people with disabilities.

How to apply: applications must be submitted to the SADC National Contact Point of the applicant's eligible Member State (in Zimbabwe, enquire at the relevant government ministry) not later than 20 November 2026, together with (a) a cover letter stating the position applied for and how your qualifications, experience and competencies are relevant, (b) a CV of not more than 5 pages, (c) certified copies of degree(s), diploma(s) and certificate(s), and (d) a duly signed and completed SADC Application Form. Job profiles and the Application Form are on the SADC website. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted; if you have not heard back within two months of the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.