The Southern Africa Development Community Secretariat (SADC) is seeking to recruit
highly motivated and experienced professionals who are citizens of Member States of the
SADC to fill the following regional position in its Organisation Structure.
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 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
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.
REF: SADC/2/3/3
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▪ 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:
o drafting, revision and implementation of the Treaty, Protocols, and other
legal instruments in SADC;
o application and interpretation of the Treaty, Protocols and other legal
instruments in SADC; and
o 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
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.
REF: SADC/2/3/3
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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
