Strategic Advisor - Technical Assistance to SADC - Botswana
Candidate Search Location: Sub-Saharan Africa
Location: Botswana
Job Code: 1880
Description
Strategic Advisor to the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
About DAI:
DAI is a global development company. For 40 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governments, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 80 countries. Our integrated development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines—crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS and disease control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.
Objectives of the role:
The global objective of this assignment is to enhance strategic thinking and informed decision-making at the highest levels of management within the SADC Secretariat.
Specific objective(s)
The specific objectives of the assignment include the following:-
- Strengthen the office of the SADC Executive Secretary through creation of the position of Strategic Adviser;
- Equip the Executive Secretary to effectively and efficiently discharge his/her duties for the benefit of SADC;
- Support the Executive Secretary to execute the mandate within the SADC Treaty;
- Improved strategic positioning and functioning of the SADC Secretariat at regional and international platforms;
- Provide timely, high quality advice to ensure the Executive Secretary is equipped to represent SADC Secretariat in the execution of her/his responsibilities;
- Support the Executive Secretary in SADC's dialogue with International Co-operating Partners (ICPs) especially in relation to programming and implementation of co-operation programmes supported by the European Union.
- Ensure positive relationships are maintained and strengthened with International Cooperating Partners.
Scope of Services
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the assignment is centred around the creation of a dedicated function within the Office of the SADC Executive Secretary to perform the tasks of a Strategic Advisor. The incumbent is to provide advisory services to a level commensurate with the Executive Office:
The key responsibilities of the Strategic Advisor will be to:
- Coordinate input with the DES's and Directors in order to prepare ES contributions prior to participation in international forums, e.g. inter- and intra-regional cooperation platforms, regional coordination structures, high level meetings with ICPs etc. This could include preparing briefing materials, mission reports, policy papers and research briefs;
- Prepare and / or coordinate policy and intelligence briefings prior to and following ES participation in events/meetings. Ensure timely follow up giving effect to commitments, decisions and agreements made;
- Provide advice to the ES and DES on issues related to regional integration that will enable the Executive Management to position SADC regionally and internationally in a consistent and coherent manner in line with agreed SADC priorities and policies;
- Strategically monitor and assess regional and international development trends and issues to highlight potential impact and propose responses relevant to SADC;
- Assist the Executive Secretary to filter and respond to strategic issues generated by and from various Secretariat structures and SADC organs;
- Coordinate and manage key relationships of the Executive Secretary with International Cooperating Partners (ICPs), particularly the European Union.
- Programming, coordinating and monitoring the results and outcomes of the Executive Secretary's strategic priorities ensuring these are reflected throughout organisational plans and activities;
- Performing other functions consistent with the ICDP program as specified in the ICDP Program Documents that is assigned to the Executive Secretary;
It is expected that with the re-alignment of the ES Office to correspond better to the needs of ever-changing and evolving regional integration issues and requirements, the Executive Secretary will be able to dedicate more time to policy development and strategic positioning of SADC and will thus more efficiently and effectively fulfil his/her mandate as per the requirements of the SADC Treaty.
Length of the project: 180 working days
Start Date: February 28th 2015
Qualifications and Skills:
General Professional Experience:
- Master's degree in Political Science, International Law or Development Economics – PhD an advantage;
- Proven working experience in issues related to regional integration within an African context;
- Proven work experience in the development of improved coordination and/or networking structures;
- Proven working experience in preparation of briefing materials, research papers, summaries and high level policy and intelligence briefs for senior officials;
- Proven working experience in dealing with international and regional agencies;
- Fluency in written and spoken English;
- Excellent communication skills.
Specific Professional Experience:
- Sound knowledge and proven working experience with International Cooperation Partners and Regional Agencies/Bodies relevant to the work of SADC;
- Sound knowledge of regional integration policies and strategies on the African continent;
- Sound knowledge of regional integration dynamics within the SADC region;
- Ability to communicate and coordinate with a variety of stakeholders;
- Ability to communicate in French or Portuguese is an asset.
Please contact Matt Woodhouse matt_woodhouse@dai.com to express your interest and to request further details on this opportunity. Please ensure that your email is titled ES Advisor
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