Legal Counsel

About this role

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is recruiting a Legal Counsel to serve at its Secretariat headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana. The position sits within SADC’s legal function and supports the Secretariat, Policy Organs, Institutions, Member States, Directorates and Units on corporate and treaty-related legal matters. The post-holder will advise the Management Team on corporate legal issues, draft and interpret the SADC Treaty, Protocols, Annexes and subsidiary instruments, and provide legal opinions on policies, rules, regulations, procedures, resolutions, contracts, leases and agreements. Additional duties include conducting legal research, advising on staff grievances and disciplinary matters, facilitating dispute settlement involving SADC, acting as custodian of legal documents, monitoring signature, ratification and accession to Protocols, registering SADC legal instruments with the United Nations and African Union, and supporting the Committee of Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General.

The Legal Counsel also plans and implements legal risk management measures and follows up on audit recommendations. Candidates must hold at least a Master’s degree in Law from a recognised institution and be licensed or certified to practise law in a SADC Member State. At least seven years of experience providing legal advice is required, preferably in a regional or international organisation or another relevant setting. Specialised knowledge of international treaties, protocols, conventions, charters and pacts is essential, together with proficiency in relevant computer software.

The role also requires strong communication, presentation, interpersonal, networking, relationship-building, persuasion, advocacy, organisational, research, analytical and problem-solving skills. SADC is a regional economic community of sixteen Member States with about 340 million people. The appointment is full time for a fixed four-year term, renewable twice, subject to probation and performance requirements. The job is Grade 6 with an annual salary range of US$72,589 to US$77,084.20.

Applications must be submitted through the SADC National Contact Point in an eligible Member State by 20 November 2026.