Senior Officer – Policy and Strategy (Job Grade 4)

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

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 the policy and strategy formulation process in regional integration, development and cooperation, in consultation with Member States.
• Facilitate the development and review of the Medium-Term Strategies, including the SADC Strategy Development, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting (SPMER) framework and the 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, 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 produce the Research and Policy Paper Series, and initiate relevant reports to Council and Summit.
• Provide technical advice to align Member States' national policies with regional integration policies and strategies, and assess the effectiveness of SADC policies and programmes.
• Strengthen partnerships between the Secretariat and stakeholders, and facilitate periodic Policy Dialogue Forums between Member States and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate effective functioning of SADC National Committees and follow up on implementation of regional policies at national level.
• Feed into and service the think-tank mechanism led by the DES Regional Integration, and coordinate with regional, continental and global bodies to advance the SADC Agenda.

Servicing of relevant technical & policy committees, meetings & workshops

• Prepare reports, documents and annotated agendas for SADC policy structures; liaise with Conference Services on logistics and documents; facilitate technical committees, meetings and workshops; prepare records of meetings, including communiqués.

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 and budgets; recruit, train, supervise, mentor and appraise staff; undertake other duties delegated by the Director.

Qualifications and experience

• At least a Master's Degree in Economics, Development Studies, International Relations, Public Policy Studies, or a related technical field from a recognised institution.
• Knowledge and understanding of research, analysis and policy advisory; proficient in computers and relevant software.
• At least 10 years' professional experience in development policy research, analysis and advisory within a policy research/academic institution, public sector, private entity or social sector, including a minimum of 4 years in a line management position.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including governments, non-state actors and regional or international organisations.

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.