Job Description

Main purpose of the job

Under the supervision of the Senior Programme Officer – Tourism the incumbent will responsible for implementation of the activities of the SADC Tourism Programme and the Boundless Southern Africa (BSA) Programme mainly dealing with the development of Tourism in Trans frontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) and aspects related to marketing tourism products and experiences and to position TFCAs as preferred tourist and investment destinations in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitating the implementation of Protocol on Development of Tourism;
• Facilitating implementation of regional strategies and programmes on tourism development in the region such as RIDMP and the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) programme, particularly component 7 or the SADC TFCA Programme i.e. Development of TFCAs into marketable regional tourism products;
• Facilitating harmonization of regional policies, strategies and/or rules regarding cross-border operations and trade in support of liberalization of exchange control regulations;
• Facilitating and promoting use TFCAs as a mechanism to foster cross-border cooperation in tourism development
• Promoting the development of cross border tourism activities as a means of fostering regional and socio‐economic development;
• Facilitating removal of barriers to cross-border travel and operations;
• Facilitating development of policies and strategies that promote favorable investment climate for tourism within the region for both public and private sectors including small and medium scale tourism establishment;
• Promoting equitable private sector and community partnerships in tourism development;
• Facilitating improvement of tourism service and infrastructure in order to foster a vibrant tourism industry;
• Facilitating the setting of research priorities and policies on tourism development in order to develop sustainable tourism across the region;
• Assessing, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of programmes for sustainable tourism development;
• Facilitating development and implementation of the Fundraising Strategy and resource mobilization efforts for TFCAs.
• Facilitating development and implementation of Investment and Infrastructure Development Plans in order to increase investment in tourist related facilities and supporting infrastructure in TFCAs;
• Coordinating implementation of the marketing plan for TFCAs;
• Mobilizing political support and commitment from all participating countries for successful implementation of the strategy
• Providing administrative support to strategic business planning and processes and support the development and management of projects in TFCAs
• Providing regular updates of the Boundless Southern Africa investment catalogue
• Identifying funding mechanisms appropriate for small businesses, community based projects and new entrants
• Facilitating increasing number of cross-border events and provide technical support for the hosting such.
• Providing guidance to TFCA stakeholders in the identification, planning and implementation of increasing number of cross-border events and products
• Developing and implement a reporting mechanism for cross-border events that includes number of jobs created, training provided, public sector resources invested, media value generated, and partnerships established
• Implementation of investment promotion plan for TFCAs in order to increase investment in tourist related facilities thereby increasing the tourism potential of TFCAs.
• Supporting the SADC TFCA Tourism Working Group to deliver its mandate as guided by the Member States and Preparing documentation for the working group meetings and technical papers for discussion and /or publication;

Programme Officer BSA will be responsible for the facilitating implementation of the TFCAs programme and related strategies and providing technical guidance on issues of Tourism Investment and development of Cross- border products.

Qualifications

At least a Masters Degree in Tourism Development, Marketing, Tourism Economics, Business Administration or a related field from a recognised institution

Experience

• At least 10-15 years of experience in a senior tourism-related management position within a public or private sector, regional or international organization
• Experience in development of strategy, policy, business plans and programme formulation and implementation
• Minimum of 4 years in a line management position

Skills Requirements

• Research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Report writing skills
• Organisational skills (planning, budgeting, time management, work prioritisation)
• Communication and presentation skills
• Interpersonal skills

Competency Requirements

• Ability to set priorities and complete tasks with minimum supervision to strict deadlines.
• Ability to take initiative, work well as a member of the team as well as having a flexible, friendly, co-operative personality, enabling the incumbent to work well in a multi-cultural and multinational environment
• Capable of maintaining quality whilst working under pressure and adhering to deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work well, present and win support for ideas in an international, multi-cultural and highly political environment
• Maintain confidentiality and is respectful of sensitive situations
• Methodical and organised, and able to look at the big picture without losing the attention to details
• Professionalism and adherence to good work ethics
• Resilience and personal drive, self-motivation
• Results and performance driven
• Visionary, thinks and acts strategically
• Team player and ability to work with diverse teams

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.

Closing Date and Submission of Applications: Applications must be submitted to the SADC National Contact Point https://www.sadc.int/opportunities/employment/national-contact-points/ of the eligible Member States not later than or on 28^th October 2022.

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.

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

Details can also be obtained from the National Contact Point in your respective country.