Posted June 2, 2026Listing expires June 5, 2026
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
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 Job Grade
Programme Officer – Crop 6
Primary Purpose of the Job
Facilitate and coordinate policy, planning, programming and M&E work aimed at increasing crop production, productivity and competitiveness in the region.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Draft calendar of events for the year and maintain up to date
- Facilitate and coordinate the following activities:
- Development, strengthening and harmonization of policies, strategies, regulations, and standards in crop production, including crop related diseases, crop genetic resources and production systems
- Review, development and monitoring of protocol relevant to this focal area
- Development, review and implementation of relevant strategies and plans
- Capacity building and promotion of agro-industry, value addition, and post-harvest management
- Development and implementation of programmes/projects aimed at:
- Control of crop and pest diseases
- Increasing crop production, productivity and competitiveness
- Promoting regional agro-business value chains
- Gaining access to markets for crop and crop products through the provision of marketing information and strengthening capacity of Member States to meet SPS standards
- Setting of research priorities and policies on crops
- Organisation of relevant Technical & Policy Meetings & Workshops
- Procurement of consultancies and supervision of consultants
- Monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of programmes in crop development and preparation of Mae reports
- Promotion of the relevant SADC programme portfolio, pipeline, specific projects and programme impact
- Prepare documentation for relevant official SADC meetings (technical Committees, Council, Summit etc.) and technical papers for discussion and /or publication
- Stakeholder engagement and networking in crop production
- Make presentations to various stakeholders / audiences on relevant issues pertaining to crop production
- Coordinate research, analysis and dissemination of information on crop production:
- Regularly collect data and information on status/profile in Member States, using primary and secondary research techniques
- Identify priority research areas in collaboration with Regional research organisations to promote innovation and adoption of appropriate crop technologies and practices
- Analyse the data and information from the research commissioned
- Regularly populate the regional database on crop production
- Prepare data for publishing on the SADC website and other forms of media
- Mainstream cross cutting issues (e.g. Gender, HIV and AIDS, and poverty etc.) in crop production programmes
- Integrate cross cutting issues in all programme documents
- Invite relevant stakeholders on these cross-cutting issues to participate in the key discussion meetings and workshops
- Monitor and draft a report on the extent of mainstreaming
- Maintain effective contact with Member States in all matters related to the crop production programmes
- Liaise with other programme directorates, as and when there is a need for joint / synergised programme implementation
- Research and adopt best practices in own specialised area of work, and maintain high level of knowledge in order to effectively undertake the duties of the post
- Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervising officer
Qualifications and Experience
Education
At least a Master’s Degree in Crop Science or related technical field from a recognised institution.
Specialised Knowledge
- Knowledge and understanding of integrated programme planning, budgeting, development, administration and monitoring for crop production
- Proficient in the use of computers and computer software relevant to the position
Experience
At least 7 years of similar 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 whilst working under pressure and adhering to deadlines
- Conceptual and practical thinking
- Customer focused
- Decisive
- Demonstrate ability to work independently and largely unsupervised
- Demonstrated ability to work well in an international, multi-cultural and highly political environment
- Maintain confidentiality and respectful of sensitive situations
- Methodical and organised, with a high level of attention to details
- Organisational awareness with an understanding of how to engage the organisation to get things done
- Professionalism and adherence to good work ethics
- Question status quo / conventional approaches and encourage new ideas and innovations for progress
- Resilience and personal drive, self-motivation
- Results and performance driven
- Team player
Remuneration
The SADC Secretariat offers a competitive package for the positions as outlined below.
Job Grade Salary range per annum (US$)
Job Grade 6 US$77,084.20 – 72,589.00
Tenure of appointment
The term of appointment of the Director, Social and Human Development, shall be for a fixed period of four (4) years, renewable once for another period of four (4) years. While appointments for positions (2–3) 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 (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.
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.
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