Legal Counsel at SADC

Lintlha

Location: Gaborone, Botswana

Reference: SADC/2/3/3

Closing Date: 20 November 2026

Background

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a regional economic community founded and maintained by countries in Southern Africa. It aims to further socio-economic, political and security cooperation among its Member States and foster regional integration to achieve peace, stability and prosperity.

SADC currently has sixteen (16) Member States, with a population of approximately 340 million and a combined GDP of US$720 billion.

The SADC Secretariat is seeking to recruit a highly motivated and experienced professional who is a citizen of a SADC Member State to fill the position of Legal Counsel.

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, 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 adviser to the Management Team of the SADC Secretariat on corporate legal matters.

Provide legal opinions, advice and assistance on the formulation, review, enforcement and interpretation of corporate legal documents, including policies, rules, regulations, procedures, resolutions, contracts, leases and agreements.

Draft and interpret the SADC Treaty, Protocols, their Annexes and subsidiary legal instruments.

Conduct research and analysis on SADC-related legal matters.

Provide legal advice on staff grievances and disciplinary matters.

Facilitate the settlement of disputes to which SADC is a party.

Act as custodian of SADC and Secretariat legal documents.

Provide legal advice and assistance to all Policy Organs, Directorates and Units of the Secretariat on:

Drafting, revising and implementing the Treaty, Protocols and other SADC legal instruments.

Applying and interpreting the Treaty, Protocols and other SADC legal instruments.

Compliance with decisions and actions related to the Treaty, Protocols and other legal instruments.

Monitor the status of signature, ratification 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 developing and harmonising appropriate laws relating to regional integration.

Coordinate preparations for and convene meetings of the Committee of Ministers of Justice/Attorneys General, and implement the Committee’s decisions.

Plan and implement legal risk-management measures.

Implement audit recommendations.

Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

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

Professional Certification

Licensed or certified to practise law in any jurisdiction of a SADC Member State.

Specialised Knowledge

Knowledge of international treaties, protocols, conventions, charters and pacts.

Knowledge of laws.

Proficiency in computers and software relevant to the position.

Experience

At least seven (7) years of work experience providing legal advice, preferably in a regional or international organisation or another relevant setting.

Skills Requirements

Communication and presentation skills.

Interpersonal skills.

Networking and relationship-building skills.

Persuasion and advocacy skills.

Organisational skills, including planning, budgeting, time management and work prioritisation.

Research, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Competency Requirements

Maintain quality while working under pressure and adhering to deadlines.

Demonstrate conceptual and practical thinking.

Be customer-focused and decisive.

Demonstrate the ability to work independently and largely unsupervised.

Maintain confidentiality and respect sensitiv