Terms of Reference for SADC/AU Liaison Officer
THE HEAD OF SADC/AU LIAISON OFFICE, LIAISON OFFICER.
Background:
1
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has fifteen Member States with a
population of approximately 257.7 million and a combined GDP of USD 471.3 billion (2012). The
overall objective of SADC is to achieve development and economic growth, which is to be
attained through increased regional integration, built on democratic principles and equitable and
sustainable development.
SADC signed three cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with the African Union
(AU) for capacity building and cooperation. Two of the three agreements provide financial
resources for capacity building to enhance regional capability to support conflicts prevention,
resolution and management. Whilst addressing conflict matters at the regional level, SADC
contributes, as one of the building blocks of the African Peace and Security Architecture
(APSA), to the continental peace and security agenda and subsequently to the United Nations
(UN) international efforts. All the three MoUs provide for the creation of Liaison Offices of the
Regional Economic Communities (RECs) at the African Union Commission (AUC) in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, whereby the RECs send Liaison Officers to these offices. In 2008 the
Chairperson of AUC held a meeting with the Chief Executive Officers of the RECs to evaluate
the status of coordination and collaboration between the AUC and the RECs. The meeting
resolved in addition to the peace and security issues the scope of work of the Head of RECs
Liaison Offices be expanded to include the facilitation of dialogue, collaboration and
coordination in the areas related to AU/RECs regional integration agendas. The Head of
SADC/AU Liaison Office is the Liaison Officer between SADC Secretariat and the AUC
regarding the relations on regional integration agenda, peace and security issues.
General Objective
The overall goal of APSA Support Programme is to strengthen the capacity and efficiency of the
African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Response
Mechanisms (RMs) to prevent and/or respond to crises/conflicts in Africa. The programme
purpose is to significantly contribute to continental security and stability by implementing and
1
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is made up of Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania,
Zambia, Zimbabwe
Terms of Reference for SADC/AU Liaison Officer
operationalizing the Africa Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). An operationalized APSA
means, among other things, the necessary support to an effectively functioning Peace and
Security Council (PSC), enabling the Panel of the Wise (PoW) and mediation support structures
to effectively carry out their mandate as well as the initial operational capability of the African
Standby Force (ASF) and ensuring effective coordination of and support to Continental Early
Warning System’s (CEWS) stakeholders, especially the RECs/RMs.
Specific Objectives
The programme expected outcome is ‘enhanced continental capacity to deal with Peace and
Security issues.’ The APSA programme has three principal expected results, namely:
1) To broaden ownership of the implementing partners with respect to policies, strategies
and spending, and to increase the alignment of external interventions to aid-recipient
policies and priorities;
2) To increase coherence between policy, spending and results (regardless of source of
funding) through greater transparency, wider dialogue and comprehensive view of the
sector; and
3) To minimize as far as possible the transaction costs associated with the provision of
external financing, either by direct adoption of aid-recipient procedures or through
progressive harmonization of individual donor procedures.
The programme will deliver six outputs that will contribute to the achievement of the purpose/
specific objective of the APSA Support Programme. The outputs are:
1) More synergy built between AU PSC and regional entities dealing with conflict
prevention, management and resolution in the framework of the AU/REC memorandum
of understanding in the area of peace and security;
2) Capacity of Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) to anticipate threats and thereby
to prevent conflicts enhanced;
3) Panel of the Wise and Mediation structures function optimally;
4) African Standby Force operational capability;
5) Capacity to develop and implement strategies and policies in the other peace and
security areas enhanced; and
6) Project and Finance management capacity in support of the APSA enhanced.
Reporting Responsibility:
Under the direct supervision of the SADC Secretariat’s Director for the Organ on Politics,
Defense and Security Affairs (OPDSA) and working closely with the APSA Support Programme
Coordinator, the incumbent shall provide professional and support services to assist the SADC
Secretariat and its Member States to successfully play significant role and contribution to the
AU’s APSA.
Job Description:
He/she will perform the following functions:
1) Main responsibility: To provide liaison between the SADC Secretariat and AUC on
matters pertaining to peace and security and any other regional integration matters as
SADC may decide from time to time.
2) To liaise with the AUC and create permanent communication network between the AUC
and the SADC Secretariat as well as assisting in the organization of missions, meetings
and follow-ups on priority issues and key policy processes to ensure that SADC
Terms of Reference for SADC/AU Liaison Officer
provides significant input in the negotiations and implementation of respective policies
and programmes.
3) To examine policy issues and strategies as well as facilitating SADC/AUC
understanding, coherency and complementarity in order to create synergy in impact and
contribute to sustainable continental development.
4) To participate in inter-government and inter-agency as well as donors consultations,
meetings, seminars and workshops related to key policy issues in Africa, as organised
by AU.
5) Keep SADC fully and continuously informed of the activities of the Peace and Security
Council (PSC) and enable regular exchange of information between the AU and SADC
on actions, progress in peace negotiations, regional concerns and other issues on
continental peace and security and stability.
6) Develop close professional relationship with officials in departments within the AUC
particularly, the Peace and Security Department (PSD), Political Affairs Department,
Economic Affairs Department and all that play substantive role in integration agenda,
conflict prevention and resolution, in order to continuously update oneself with issues
and timely identify potentials areas, monitor developments and in flash points report to
SADC Secretariat.
7) Attend meetings of the PSC as an observer and other relevant meetings held within the
AUC to provide the SADC Secretariat with up-to-date information on matters of interest
to SADC. Identify common positions and joint actions on issues of common interest and
inform SADC Secretariat of potential alliances through which to re-enforce its position.
8) Work with the AUC to ensure that SADC interests are satisfactorily represented in the
meetings as convened regularly and undertaken within the framework of the peace and
security agenda of the AU, in respect of article 16(4) of the protocol. The article states
that ”…the Chairperson of the Commission shall convene periodic meetings, but at least
once a year, with the Chief executives and/or the officials in charge of peace and
security within the Regional Mechanisms.”
9) Ensure that the AUC is fully informed of matters of serious conflict in the region and
facilitate its participation in regional meetings and deliberations on matters relating to
regional peace and security.
10) Events management – organize SADC VIPs/ delegates’ meetings in the margins of AU
statutory meetings, conferences and events; including venues and refreshments,
logistics such as entry visas, accommodation, ground transport and airport transfers.
11) Manage the Liaison Office, supervise subordinates and submit regularly financial and
technical progress reports to SADC Secretariat in order to assist with monitoring and
evaluation and informed decision making by the decision makers
12) Perform any other tasks that may be assigned by the SADC Executive Secretary or
immediate Supervisor and ensure that all the requisite information to and from the
SADC Secretariat is delivered where it is intended to reach.
Expected results:
He/she will ensure that there is coherence between the SADC programmes with those of the AU
and the other RECs and that outputs from the activities of the SADC programmes on peace and
security as well as regional integration matters feed into AU Peace and Security Council (PSC)
and other relevant structures. He/she shall achieve this through improved flow of information
Terms of Reference for SADC/AU Liaison Officer
between the AU and SADC with respect to speed and frequency. He/she will, therefore, deliver
the following results:
1) Regular briefs to the SADC Secretariat on the activities of the PSC and other relevant
AU programs;
2) Regular briefs to the AU Peace and Security Department and other relevant
departments on activities and important decisions of the SADC programmes on regional
integration agenda, and peace and security;
3) Consultative missions to the SADC Secretariat to update his/her superiors on
developments in the PSC and AU in general as well as to understand developments in
the SADC Secretariat; and
4) Quarterly and annual reports and briefs to update SADC on current state of affairs in the
PSC and inform in advance of the coming activities and plans of the PSC and the AU.
Position Requirements
Qualifications:
 The incumbent must have University Masters Degree in Social Sciences, Economics,
International Cooperation and Development or Political Science, International Relations
and Diplomacy.
Experience
 Good understanding of AU and SADC peace and security, regional economic and
integration issues;
 Good knowledge of donor policy and programmes on development cooperation
 A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience in international cooperation, strategy
development and implementation, and management; of which 5 years should be in
management position in the area of peace and security or regional integration.
 Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and
PowerPoint).
Personal Attributes:
 Ability to work as a team player with excellent interpersonal communication, advocacy
and negotiation skills that allow one to explore, build and strengthen strategic
partnerships and alliances.
 Good listener with demonstrated ability to present and win support for ideas in an
international or multi-cultural environment.
 Fluency in English. Other SADC languages may be an asset.
 Political savvy with strong analytical skills and ability to distil complex and sensitive
political issues with tact and diplomacy.
 Capacity to drive for results in political and diplomatic environments at the highest levels.
Location and Duration
Location of the Assignment:
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
st
End date:
31 December 2014, subject to renewal upon availability of funds.
Remuneration The SADC Secretariat offers competitive package for all the positions as per
detailed below;
Terms of Reference for SADC/AU Liaison Officer
Job Grade
Average Package per Annum:
Job Grade 4
US$ 107,932
Submission of Applications
Applications must be submitted to:
The Executive Secretary
SADC Secretariat
P/Bag 0095
Gaborone
Botswana
ATTENTION: Director
[email protected]
of
Human
Resources
and
Administration
or
apply
to
Your application should accompany the following:
a) A short covering letter stating the position that you want to be considered for
and describe how your qualifications, experience and competencies are
relevant to the position;
b) A detailed and updated curriculum vitae;
c) Certified copies of your degree(s), Diploma(s) and Certificate(s);
d) Duly completed SADC Application Form.
Should you be shortlisted, you will be required to produce evidence of any educational and
professional qualifications supporting your applications on the day of your interview.
Gender Mainstreaming
Terms of Reference for SADC/AU Liaison Officer
SADC is an equal opportunity employer and particularly encourage applications from female
candidates.
Closing Date: 30th May 2014
If you are result oriented, you have passion for the transformation and development of
Southern Africa, and possess the competencies to meet the new challenges, submit your
application now!!!
Only applicants who meet the requirements of the SADC Secretariat and are being considered
for interview will be contacted. Should you not hear SADC Secretariat within four weeks after
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.