Summary
Date Posted: Friday, February 14 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Senior Programme Officer – Trade 4
• Facilitate and coordinate the development, implementation and M&E of policies
and programmes in support of Regional Integration to facilitate competitive and
diversified trade in the region.
• Provide policy guidance and facilitate regional goods and services market
integration in particular the implementation of the SADC Free Trade Area through
the Protocols on Trade and Trade in Services.
• Manage the efforts and performance of the team falling under the responsibility
of the Senior Programme Officer.

Duties and Responsibilities
Policy Development and Harmonisation
• Commission and coordinate research/studies to identify trade strategy, policy and
regulatory gaps in the region
• Coordinate the development, strengthening and harmonisation of trade strategies,
policies, regulations, standards and systems
• Coordinate the approval and adoption of the trade strategies, policies, regulations,
standards and systems by the SADC Structures
• Facilitate the implementation of the trade strategies, policies, regulations,
standards and systems by Member States
• Coordinate the development, review and monitoring of the implementation /
domestication of the relevant Protocol falling under the purview of this unit
Research and Information Dissemination
• Supervise data collection relevant to this focal area, using primary and secondary
research techniques
• Identify research priority areas, commission research on these areas, and use the
findings to feed into the planning process
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of a database / observatory on this
specific focal area
• Supervise publication of research/data and dissemination on the SADC website,
through media or through reports to SADC Institutions

Strategic Planning and Programming
• Identify key areas of interventions to foster trade in the SADC region
• Coordinate the development of long-term, medium and short strategic plans
• Facilitate the adoption of the Strategic Plans by various policy structures
• Undertake periodic reviews of the strategic plans
• Prepare annual plans for the trade sector
• Facilitate and coordinate implementation of capacity building initiatives in trade
and trade related matters in Member States; monitor and evaluate the success of
the interventions
• Develop projects/programmes to implement the Strategic Plan
• Solicit funding for programme and project implementation

Programme Implementation
Facilitate implementation of programmes/projects related aimed at consolidation of the
SADC FTA through the following, amongst others:
• Review of SADC Rules of Origin
• Elimination of non-tariff barriers
• Implementation of tariff phase down schedules and trade in services
commitments
• Accession by States not party to the SADC Trade Protocol and Protocol on Trade
in Services
• Ensuring compliance and consistency of SADC trade regime with AfCFTA and
World Trade Organisation requirements
• Development of aid for trade and institutional mechanism for SADC
• Trade facilitation
• Implementation of extra-regional trade arrangements (e.g. COMESA-EAC-SADC
Tripartite FTA and AfCFTA
• Manage project staff and consultancies
• Develop and agree on indicators, systems and criteria for monitoring, and use
these to monitor the implementation 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
• 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 organisations) that are critical to delivering the
unit's objectives and programme
• Liaise with other directorates and units to ensure mainstreaming of cross cutting
issues (e.g. Gender, HIV/AIDS, Poverty, ICT, STI etc.) into own programmes
• Ensure joint / synergised planning and programming for programmes that have
cross-cutting implications / linkages with other programme units in the Secretariat

Servicing of Relevant Technical & Policy Committees, Meetings & Workshops
• Draft technical papers for discussion, dissemination and publication
• Liaise with Conference Services unit to (a) organise 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 Trade programme
• Organise strategic dialogue on key policy issues with stakeholders in the region
• Participate in relevant and strategic regional, continental and international
meetings; promote and present the SADC's Trade Agenda in these forums
• Work closely with Communication and PR Unit to promote the trade programme
portfolio, pipeline, specific projects and programme impact

Management of the Unit
• Develop, update and implement processes, systems and procedures for the
effective delivery of the unit’s objectives
• Participate in the formulation of the Organisational 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 budget to ensure optimal use
• Achieve the unit's mission, goals and objectives, and report progress to the
Director and DES-RI
• Manage unit staff, which includes work allocation, training, promotion, enforcement
of internal procedures and controls, and problem resolution; evaluate performance
and make recommendations for staff actions; motivate staff to achieve peak
productivity and performance
• Assist the Audit teams in their review of this function, and implement audit
recommendations as and when they are made
• Research and adopt best practices in own specialised area of work, and maintain
high level of knowledge to effectively undertake the duties of the post
• Perform any other functions as may be assigned by the line manager

Position Requirements
Education
At least a Masters in Trade Law, Economics, Development Economics, Management,
International Relations, or a related field from a recognised institution.

Specialised Knowledge
• Knowledge and understanding of integrated trade programme planning,
budgeting, development, administration and monitoring
• Knowledge of trade policy, legislations, regulations, agreement negotiation etc.
• Proficient in the use of computers and computer software relevant to the position
• Excellent knowledge of English language
• Knowledge of another SADC official language is an advantage
Experience
• At least 10 years working experience in international trade or related field within a
public sector or a regional organisation
• Minimum of 4 years in a line management position

Skills Requirements
• Communication and presentation skills
• Conflict management skills
• Decision-making skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Mentoring and coaching skills
• Negotiation, persuasion, advocacy, networking and relationship building skills
• Organisational skills (planning, budgeting, work prioritisation, time management)
• Research, analytical and problem-solving 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 were
people want to do their best
• Conceptual and practical thinking
• Customer focused
• Decisive
• Demonstrated ability to present and win support for ideas in an international or
multi-cultural environment
• Organisational awareness with an understanding of how to engage the
organisation to get things done
• Maintain confidentiality and is respectful of sensitive situations
• Methodical and organised, and able to look at the big picture without losing the
attention to details
• Politically savvy i.e. identify internal and external politics that impact the
Secretariat's work, and act accordingly
• Professionalism and adherence to good work ethics
• Question 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
• Visionary, thinks and acts strategically


Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 120

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

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