Planning and Budget Support Officer at Southern African Development Community (SADC)

Job Description

Purpose of the job:

Under the overall supervision of the Director of Policy, Planning and Resource Mobilisation and direct supervision of the Senior Officer – Planning and Programming, the incumbent is responsible for providing planning and budget support to all SADC Secretariat Directorates and Units

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist, support and advise all Directorates and Units to undertake the following:
• Formulate Annual Operational Plans and Budgets that are informed by the RISDP, Sector Strategies and Policies, as well as Ministerial, Council, Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) and Summit Decisions
• Identify synergies and cross-cutting issues between Directorates and Units to inform the preparation of Annual Operational Plans
• Define Outputs and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in line with Result-Based Management (RBM) principles
• Estimate a realistic budget based on planned deliverables
• Create Annual Operational Plans and Budgets in the SADC Integrated Management System (SIMS)
• Perform budget adjustments and update Quarterly Work Plans in SIMS
• Work closely with approved Member States structures to improve the alignment of National Strategic Development Plans with SADC Regional priorities
• Prepare planning documents, policies, guidelines, templates and other tools to facilitate effective planning and budgeting by all Directorates and Units
• Train Directorates and Units on the preparation of Annual Corporate Plans, taking into account RISDP 2020-30 Outputs
• Ensure that all Directorates and Units comply with the approved planning and budgeting deadlines
• Provide input into the documents for the Planning and Budgeting Committee (PBC) meetings, participate in record taking during the meetings and implement the Committee’s decisions
• Receive draft Annual Operational Plans and Budgets from all Directorates and Units and conduct quality assurance in conformance with Result-Based Management principles
• Consolidate Annual Operational Plans and Budgets from all Directorates and Units into Annual Corporate Plans for review and clearance by the Planning and Budgeting Committee and Management
• Support the Secretariat’s efforts towards alignment between planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation and reporting in line with the provisions of the SPMER Policy
• Implement and update relevant Council and Summit Decisions, Audit Recommendations and Risk Action Plans
• Service relevant Statutory Meetings (e.g. Finance Sub-Committee, Finance Committee, Council)
• Research and adopt best practices in the area of planning and budget support, and maintain a high level of knowledge in order to effectively undertake the duties of the post
• Support the development and functioning of a community of practice on planning and budget support to bolster the Secretariat’s capacity for evidence-based knowledge exchange, knowledge management and policy dialogue
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervising officer

Position Requirements

Qualifications

• At least a Masters in Economics or related technical field from a recognised institution

Professional Certification

• Certification in planning, programming and budgeting

Specialised Knowledge

• Knowledge of integrated programme planning, budgeting, development, administration, monitoring and evaluation processes and systems
• Proficient in the use of computers and computer software relevant to the position

Experience

• At least 7-10 years’ similar experience within a public sector or regional organisation

Skills Requirements

• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Negotiation, networking and relationship building skills
• Organisational skills (planning, budgeting, time management, work prioritisation)
• Research, analytical and problem-solving skills

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 and personal drive, self-motivation
• Results and performance driven
• Team player

Tenure of appointment

The term of appointment of the Director, Industrial Development and Trade shall be for a fixed period of four (4) years, renewable once for another period of four (4) years. While appointments for positions (2–19) will be on a fixed-term contract for four (4) years, renewable twice for an equal period, subject to:

• satisfactory completion of 6 months’ probation;
• satisfactory performance;
• retirement age limit of 60 years; and
• the continued need for the position.

Eligibility

The positions are open to qualified applicants who:

• Are 52 years old or younger. This requirement is based on the Organization’s need to recruit staff who can serve for a reasonable period of time before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
• Are from the following eligible Member States: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Applications should be accompanied by the following:

1. a cover letter stating the position that you want to be considered for and describing how your qualifications, experience, and competencies are relevant to the position;
2. not more than five (5) pages of updated curriculum vitae;
3. certified copies of your degree(s), Diploma(s) and Certificate(s); and
4. duly signed and completed SADC Application Form.

Should you be shortlisted, you will be required to produce evidence of educational and professional qualifications supporting your application, on the day of your interview.

Gender Mainstreaming

SADC is an equal opportunity employer and particularly encourages applications from female candidates.

If you are results orientated, you have a passion for the transformation and development of Southern Africa and possess the required competencies, please submit your application.

Only applicants who meet the requirements of the SADC Secretariat and being considered for an interview, will be contacted. Should you not hear from the SADC Secretariat within two months after the closing date, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.