Legal Counsel

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: Legal Counsel
Job Grade: 6

Primary Purpose of the Job

Draft and interpret the SADC Treaty, Protocols, their Annexes and subsidiary instruments; provide legal advice, assistance and information on related legal matters to all SADC Institutions, Policy Organs, Member States as well as all Directorates and Units of the Secretariat. Monitor the implementation of all Protocols signed by SADC from a legal perspective.

Duties and Responsibilities

General Legal Services

• Act as an advisor to the Management Team of the SADC Secretariat on corporate legal matters.
• Provide legal opinion, advice and assistance on the formulation, review, enforcement and interpretation of corporate legal documents such as policies rules, regulations, procedures, resolutions, contracts, leases and agreements etc.
• Draft and interpret the SADC Treaty, Protocols, their Annexes and subsidiary legal instruments.
• Conduct research and analysis on SADC legal related matters.
• Provide legal advice on staff grievances and disciplinary matters.
• Facilitate settlement of disputes to which SADC is a party.
• Act as Custodian for legal documents of the SADC and Secretariat.
• Provide legal advice and assistance to all Policy Organs and to all Directorates and Units of the Secretariat on the:
  • drafting, revision and implementation of the Treaty, Protocols, and other legal instruments in SADC;
  • application and interpretation of the Treaty, Protocols and other legal instruments in SADC; and
  • compliance with decisions and actions related to the Treaty, Protocols, and other legal instruments.
• Monitor the status of signature of, ratification of and accession to Protocols and other legal instruments by Member States.
• Register SADC legal instruments with the United Nations and African Union.
• Participate in and advise SADC member states on the development and harmonisation of appropriate laws relating to regional integration.
• Coordinate preparations and convening of the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Justice / Attorneys General, and implement decisions of the Committee.
• Act as Custodian for all SADC legal documents.
• Plan and implement legal risks management measures.
• Implement audit recommendations.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience

Education
At least a Master’s Degree in Law from a recognised institution.

Professional Certification
A licensed or certified to practice law in any jurisdiction of a SADC Member State.

Specialised Knowledge

• Knowledge of international Treaties, Protocols, Conventions, Charters, Pacts etc.
• Knowledge of laws.
• Proficient in the use of computers and computer software relevant to the position.
• Experience
• At least seven (7) years of work experience in providing legal advice preferably in a regional and international organisation or any other relevant set-up.

Skills Requirements

• Communication and presentation skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Networking and relationship building skills.
• Persuasion and advocacy 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.
• 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 conventional approaches and encourage new ideas and innovations for progress.
• Resilience, personal drive and 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: 72,589.00 – 77,084.20

Tenure of appointment

The term of appointment of the positions shall be for a fixed period of four (4) years, renewable twice for another period of four (4) years, 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.
• The SADC recruitment age limit for internal candidates shall be 56 years to remedy turnover, retain institutional memory and ensure business continuity.
• Are from the following eligible Member States: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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 20 November 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 for an interview, will be contacted. Should you not hear from the SADC Secretariat within two months after the closing date, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.

For further details on the position that you want to apply for, job profiles, and SADC Application Form, refer to the SADC Website: www.sadc.int

Details can also be obtained from the National Contact Point in your respective country.