Senior Officer, Policy and Strategy

About this role

The Southern African Development Community Secretariat is recruiting a Senior Officer, Policy and Strategy, based in Gaborone, Botswana. The post holder will lead policy research, strategy development and regional integration work supporting SADC's mandate to deepen cooperation among its sixteen Member States. Core responsibilities include conducting research for periodic reviews of policies and strategies under the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan. The officer will coordinate policy development, review and updating, harmonise regional frameworks with Member States, and align SADC policies with continental and international initiatives.

The role also involves strengthening the Secretariat's policy think-tank function, producing policy dialogue and research paper series, facilitating policy forums, servicing technical and policy committees, and managing the unit's staff, budget and work plans. The officer will report to a Director and supervise team members. Candidates must hold at least a Master's degree in economics, development studies, international relations, public policy studies or a related field. A minimum of ten years of professional experience in development policy research, analysis and advisory work is required, including at least four years in a line management position.

Experience with governments, non-state actors and regional or international organisations is essential. Strong communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, policy development, research, leadership and team-building skills are required. SADC values strategic thinking, resilience, professionalism and the ability to work in a multicultural and political environment. SADC is a regional economic community of sixteen Member States.

This is a full-time position at job grade 4, offered on a four-year fixed-term contract renewable twice, subject to probation. The annual salary range is US$93,097 to US$99,643. Applicants must be 52 years old or younger and citizens of eligible SADC Member States, including Tanzania. Applications must reach the SADC National Contact Point by 20 November 2026, accompanied by a cover letter, a CV of no more than five pages, certified qualification copies and a completed SADC application form.