SADC Parliamentary Forum recuiting for Secretary General

The SADC Parliamentary Forum - a regional organisation of 14 Parliaments of the Southern Africa Region based in Windhoek, Namibia – is recruiting for qualified candidates from 12 of the member countries for the position of Secretary General.

The closing date for applications is 15th February 2019 while the position is tenable for the period 1st July, 2019 to 30th June, 2024. All member countries -Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, and Tanzania- are eligible to apply for the position with the exception of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

According to the SADCPF Secretariat, this is in the spirit of rotation, as was approved by the 44th Plenary Assembly on 4th December, 2018, in Maputo, Mozambique at which the decision to recruit for the position was taken. SADC PF serves as the voice of Parliamentarians on regional matters, and promotes regional cooperation and integration.

A Motswana citizen, Boemo Ndu Sekgoma, the longest serving director of programmes at SADC PF- currently holds the position of secretary general on acting capacity. This was necessitated by the void ocassioned by the departure of substantive secretarary general - Dr. Esau Chiviya - a Zimbabwean native, who was implicated in financial impropriety and has been subjected to a discipinary hearing chaired by SADC PF Executive Committee member, Adv. Duma Boko, who doubles as Chairman of the SADC PF Legal Sub-Committee
The Secretary-General is the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the SADC Parliamentary Forum set up under Rule 13 of the SADC PF Constitution, which provides that: “There shall be a Secretariat headed by the Secretary General and comprising such other staff as may be appointed by the Executive Committee”.

The Secretary General shall be appointed by the Plenary Assembly on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, on such terms and conditions of service approved by the Plenary Assembly.Among others the duties of the Secretary General of the SADC PF include corporate development, initiating new directives, as well as managing and co-ordinating the activities of the SADC PF subject to the general direction of the Executive Committee.

The Secretary-General is the Secretary to the Plenary Assembly, as well as other policy organs, and shall provide advice to the Plenary Assembly, the President, the Executive Committee and the policy organs on procedure and any other related matters.
The Secretary General shall coordinate the overall business and is the custodian of the Journals and records of the Plenary Assembly, and shall ensure the timely dissemination of records and implementation of resolutions.

The Secretary-General, as the head of the Secretariat is responsible for ensuring effective day to day operations, protecting the integrity of the Secretariat and managing the staff. In this context, the Secretary General is expected to provide effective professional and managerial leadership in the development and implementation of internal corporate, financial, administrative and human resources management strategies, policies and plans.

The Secretary-General shall be primarily responsible for the public representation of the SADC PF and promoting its aims and objectives. The Secretary General shall be responsible for maintaining relations with Member Parliaments and the host government, and for providing necessary advice and guidance as may be appropriate for ensuring the effective participation of the membership in the affairs of the SADC PF.

The post holder must be a citizen of a Southern African Development Community Member Country with at least a minimum of a relevant Master’s degree, including a good first degree from reputable universities; He or she must have a minimum of 10 years proven relevant experience in top managerial positions in reputable organisation/s. Parliamentary experience is not a necessity but will be an added advantage; and must be 55 years old or younger, as at 1st July, 2019.As an equal opportunity employer, SADC PF strongly encourages qualified women, with the requisite experience to apply.

Applications must be made through the Member Parliament of the country of which the candidate is a citizen.