Senior Programme Officer – Food Security & Agriculture

4 months ago

Southern African Development Community (SADC) · Gaborone, Botswana

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

Senior Programme Officer – Food Security & Agriculture 4

Primary Purpose of the Job

  • Facilitate and coordinate the development, implementation and M&E of policies, strategies and programmes aimed at increasing agricultural production, productivity and competitiveness, in order to ensure food security and contribute towards industrialization and promote trade and sustainable economic development of the region including the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Regional Agriculture Policy (RAP).
  • Manage the efforts and performance of the team falling under the responsibility of the Senior Programme Officer

Duties and Responsibilities

Policy Development and Harmonization

  • Commission and coordinate research/studies to identify strategy, policy and regulatory gaps with regard to Agriculture Production, Food and Nutrition Security and Agro-Industry.
  • Coordinate the development, strengthening and harmonization of the strategies, policies, regulations, standards and systems.
  • Coordinate the approval and adoption of the strategies, policies, regulations, standards and systems by the SADC Structures.
  • Facilitate the implementation of the strategies, policies, regulations, standards and systems by Member States.
  • Coordinate the development, review and monitoring of the implementation of relevant Protocol for these focal areas.

Research and Information Dissemination

  • Manage the collection of information and data relevant to this focal area
  • Identify priority areas, commission studies, promote think-tank work, and use/interpret the findings to feed into the planning process
  • Coordinate the development and maintenance of a centralized database on this focal area
  • Manage the dissemination of relevant data through the SADC website or through reports to SADC Institutions

Strategic Planning and Programming

  • Identify key areas of interventions for enhanced Agriculture Production, Food Security and Agro-Industry in the region
  • Coordinate the development of long-term, medium and short strategic plans aligned to the RISP and the RAP
  • Facilitate the adoption of the Strategic Plans by various policy structures
  • Undertake periodic reviews of the strategic plans
  • Prepare annual Business Plan for the sector
  • Facilitate the development and strengthening of regional programmes on Agriculture Production, Food Security and Agro- Industry
  • Support resource mobilization for programme implementation as and when required by PPRM

Programme Implementation

  • Coordinate the implementation of the Regional Agriculture Policy and the Regional Agriculture Investment Plan 2023-2030, and the regional programmes/projects resulting from these
  • Coordinate and promote regional value chains and value addition for agricultural products (Crops and Livestock)
  • Coordinate the enhancement of the application of agriculture science, technology and innovation to support the priorities of regional integration
  • Coordinate the development of regional frameworks for reducing social and economic vulnerability as well as long term resilience and adaptive capacities for food and nutrition security
  • Manage project staff and consultancies
  • Develop and agree on indicators and criteria in line with SADC M&E system for monitoring the implementation of projects by the Member States
  • Monitor implementation of programmes/projects and evaluate their impact
    Prepare reports, documents and annotated agenda for submission to various policy structures of SADC
  • Coordinate the implementation of decisions of Summit, Council of Ministers, Ministerial Meetings and FANR and ICP Thematic Group Meetings (especially the Agriculture and Food Security)
  • Contribute to the development of the SADC Annual Report
    Share programme impact and lessons
  • Identify and build relationships with external stakeholders (e.g. development agencies, policy, and research organizations) that are critical to delivering the unit’s objectives and programme
  • Liaise with other directorates to ensure mainstreaming of cross cutting issues (e.g.
    Gender, HIVIAIDS, DRR, IDT, Poverty, ICT, STI etc.) into own programmes
  • Ensure joint / synergized planning and programming for programmes that have cross-cutting implications / linkages with other programme units in the Secretariat

Servicing Relevant Technical & Policy Committees, Meetings & Workshops

  • Prepare reports, documents and annotated agenda for submission to various policy structures of SADC
  • Liaise with Conference Services unit to (a) organize the logistics for the meetings and workshops, and (b) process / produce the necessary meeting and conference documents and presentations
  • Facilitate technical committees, meetings and workshops as required
  • Prepare records of the technical and policy meetings including communiqué for policy meetings

Representation and Promotion of SADC programme

  • Participate in relevant and strategic regional, continental and international meetings; promote and present the SADC’s Agenda for agriculture and food security in these forums
  • Work closely with Communication and Public Relations unit to promote the programme portfolio, pipeline, specific projects and programme impact.

Management of the unit

  • Develop, update and implement policies, strategies, processes, systems and procedures for the effective delivery of the unit’s objectives
  • Participate in formulation of the Corporate Strategy
    Develop short- and long-term plans and budgets for the unit, monitor progress, assure adherence and evaluate performance on a regular basis
  • 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 all relevant Secretariat values, policies and standards, and statutory requirements
  • Coordinate the implementation of Audit and Risk Management recommendations
  • Work towards building a positive workplace and team culture, and a climate that attracts, retains and motivates top quality personnel
  • Plan the unit’s activity and maintain direct oversight on its operations and the staff in terms of (a) scheduling, (b) estimating resource and staffing needs, (c) allocating and delegating tasks, and (d) recruiting, training, developing, supporting, supervising, mentoring, motivating and appraising staff
  • Research and adopt best practices in own area of work, and maintain high level of knowledge in order to effectively undertake the duties of the post
  • Undertake any other duties as delegated by the Head.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

At least a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics or related field from a recognized institution

Specialised Knowledge

  • Knowledge and understanding of integrated programme planning, budgeting, development, administration and monitoring in the specific context of agriculture and food security
  • Proficient in the use of computers and computer software relevant to the position

Experience

  • At least 10 years of experience in agriculture and food security matters within a public or private sector, regional or international Organisation
  • This includes a minimum of 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
  • Organizational skills (planning, budgeting, work prioritization, time management)
  • Research, analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Strategy and policy development skills
  • Team building skills

Competency Requirements

  • Apply interpersonal styles/methods to develop, motivate and empower individuals toward achievement of goals
  • Capable of maintaining quality whilst working under pressure and adhering to deadlines
  • Capacity to motivate and influence people positively, and create a climate where people want to do their best
  • Conceptual and practical thinking
  • Customer focused
  • Decisive
  • Demonstrated ability to work well, present and win support for ideas in an international, multi-cultural and highly political environment
  • Organizational awareness with an understanding of how to engage the Organisation to get things done
    Maintain confidentiality and is respectful of sensitive situations
    Methodical and organized, and able to look at the big picture without losing the attention to details
  • 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
  • Visionary, thinks and acts strategically

Remuneration

The SADC Secretariat offers a competitive package for the positions as outlined below.

Job Grade Salary range per annum (US$)

Job Grade 4 US$ 99,643.00 – 93,097.00

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:

  1. 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;
  2. not more than five (5) pages of updated curriculum vitae;
  3. certified copies of your degree(s), Diploma(s) and Certificate(s); and
  4. 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

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