EXECUTIVE SECRETARY – Southern African Customs Union

VACANCY 

BACKGROUND

The Southern African Customs Union is a regional trade bloc composed of five (5) Member States of Southern Africa: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa. Its headquarters are in the Namibian capital, Windhoek. The regional organisation was established in 1910. The vision of the Southern African Customs Union is to be an economic community with equitable and sustainable development, dedicated to the welfare of its people for a common future.

Currently, a national of Lesotho holds the position of the Executive Secretary. Therefore, all the Member States with the exception of Lesotho are eligible to each nominate a candidate for consideration. While Member States that currently hold the post, i.e. Botswana, Eswatini and Namibia, will be eligible to nominate a candidate, the principle of rotation will be considered in the process of appointing the new candidate. The process will aim to appoint the most qualified person at all times.’

VACANCY: EXECUTIVE SECRETARY FOR SOUTHERN AFRICAN CUSTOMS UNION

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

(a) To carry out the executive management of the Secretariat in compliance with the Southern African Customs Union Agreement;
(b) To ensure the attainment by Southern African Customs Union of its objectives, vision and mission statement;
(c) To ensure the implementation of Southern African Customs Union policies as enshrined in the Agreement and established by the Council and Commission;
(d) To implement the decisions and directives of the Council and the Commission; and
(e) To facilitate and co-ordinate the negotiation of, and compliance with, trade agreements by Member States in accordance with the Southern African Customs Union Agreement.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

(a) A Post-Graduate University Degree in International Trade, Economics, or its equivalent; and
(b) Exceptional administrative and management skills.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

(a) Approximately ten (10) years work experience in Government or other organisations dealing with financial, legal or trade policy issues at senior management level;
(b) Experience with a regional or international organisation;
(c) Policy formulation and implementation experience;
(d) Change management experience;
(e) Inter-governmental relations experience;
(f) Good interpersonal skills; and
(g) Must be a citizen of one of the Member States of Southern African Customs Union.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Secretary shall have the following responsibilities:

Core Functions

(a) In consultation with Chairpersons of the Council and Commission, assist in the development of Southern African Customs Union policies;
(b) Obtain approval of the work programme and ensure implementation thereof as approved by the Council of Ministers;
(c) Co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of the decisions of the Council and Commission;
(d) Assist in the harmonisation of national policies and strategies of Member States as they relate to Southern African Customs Union;
(e) Facilitate liaison between Southern African Customs Union, other organisations and third countries in Southern African Customs Union technical matters;
(f) Identify and provide training needs and organise capacity building for Southern African Customs Union Member States and facilitate the arrangement, and if required, liaise with donors in this respect;
(g) Identify, evaluate and make technical recommendations on trade issues, and other matters in accordance with the needs of the Southern African Customs Union Council, Commission, Secretariat and other relevant structures;
(h) Keep the Council, Commission, Southern African Customs Union Secretariat and Member States informed of relevant global, regional and international trends and developments;
(i) Assist in the disbursement of the Southern African Customs Union revenue;
(j) Monitor and report to the Council, through the Commission, financial management, Southern African Customs Union receipts and payment, as well as preparation of statistical reports, and the activities of Member States, and their impact on the revenue shares and operational granting; and
(k) Appoint Secretariat staff within the Secretariat.

Administration

(a) Administer operations of the Southern African Customs Union Secretariat;
(b) Oversee the arrangement of meetings of Southern African Customs Union institutions and the dissemination of information and keeping of minutes of such meetings;
(c) Administer the approved Southern African Customs Union budget;
(d) Present a report to the Council through the Commission:
(i) Annual Report;
(ii) Financial Report;
(iii) Work Programme for the following year; and
(iv) Budget for the following year;
(e) Oversee, direct and manage Southern African Customs Union Secretariat accounts and establish administration arrangements with appropriate external institutions;
(f) Responsible for keeping a record of all transactions affecting the Southern African Customs Union Revenue Pool;
(g) Initiate and human resource management, recruitment and development policies;
(h) Act as legal representative, upon mandate given by the Council of Ministers, for Southern African Customs Union; and
(i) Perform such other duties as may be assigned to him/her from time to time by the Council and Commission.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE POST

(a) Performance contract;
(b) The successful candidate will serve a term of five (5) years. The contract may be renewed through a further competitive selection for another term of five (5) years, after which, for the Council, the Executive Secretary shall serve a maximum of two (2) terms;
(c) The successful candidate shall be no more than sixty (60) years of age;
(d) The retirement age of the Executive Secretary shall be sixty-five (65) years;
(e) The salary and benefits attached to the post will be very competitive and comparable with the best of similar positions in national, regional and international bodies;
(f) Contract is liable to termination for lack of performance;
(g) The appointment will consider gender balance, where appropriate.