Strengthening the Capacity of the Secretariat
The review of the organisational structure as an enabling factor for the successful implementation of the SACU work programme and strategy was noted by council as important. Council noted that in order for the SACU Work programme to be successfully carried out there is a need to have sufficient human resources capacity within the Secretariat. The existing organisational structure at the time was not sufficient to ensure the successful implementation of the SACU Work programme. To this end the following positions were added to the existing organisational structure;
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Deputy Executive Secretary: This position was created to strengthen capacity at executive level and especially to ensure strong leadership on strategic and operational issues as well as ensuring effective delivery of the SACU Work programme. Council approved the position of Deputy Executive Secretary but advised that it should be named Chief Operations Officer because of the emphasis on operational effectiveness. The position was later renamed Deputy Executive Secretary after the deputising role was recognised as paramount.
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Industrial Policy Expert: The need for this position came about because of the importance of regional industrial policy in the overall SACU Work programme. In order to effectively address the key industrial policy deliverable, it was agreed that the position of Industrial Policy Expert would be critical.
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Legal Officer: The additional position of Legal Officer was created after it was noted that the immense work currently being processed by the Chief Legal Officer could not be handled by one officer. The work included legal matters pertaining to SACU Agreement with Member states as well as other internal legal matters. The creation of the position of Legal officer was to ensure that the Legal Unit is appropriately staffed for effective delivery.