A Workforce for the Future

Client Background

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat’s mission, as an inter-governmental organization, is to provide strategic expertise and coordinate the harmonisation of policies and strategies to accelerate regional integration and sustainable development across 16 member states in southern Africa.

SADC Secretariat staff is from across these sixteen different member states, bringing a richness of diversity and innovation to the community’s mission and strategic objectives. SADC Secretariat staff work within the community to build collective self-reliance and also represent SADC on the global stage with other international organisations and institutions. This international working environment demands that Secretariat staff are kept updated with the latest trends in diplomatic etiquette and protocol practices.

SADC Secretariat has made significant inroads already in support of workforce development through the Secretariat’s 5-Year Training Plan.

To build on this progress and become an even more successful global Regional Integration Institution, SADC sought support in increasing Secretariat staff knowledge and skills in conducting themselves in line with best international relations practices.

Training Intervention

SADC Secretariat partnered with Polaris to develop and deliver a 10-month virtual Diplomatic Etiquette and Protocol Training programme to 18 Directors and 40 Officers, to introduce, practice, and embed these protocols and etiquette, along with SADC Secretariat Core Values, into SADC daily interactions and operations to establish a robust and reputable SADC Secretariat brand.

Outcome

The Directors and Senior Officers are now equipped with the necessary skills to engage internally and externally and interact more effectively with others, including:

• Demonstrating knowledge of protocol and etiquette when representing SADC Secretariat.
• Using interpersonal skills and styles to understand self and to communicate, negotiate, network, and influence effectively.
• Understanding SADC Secretariat Standards of Conduct in alignment with SADC’s Core Values and international brand

SADC Secretariat has requested further training for the rest of Its workforce.

“The group discussions were most useful since it woke up my sense of leadership and made me think about the values of the organization instead of just considering my own values”.

SADC Secretariat Director

“This is by far the best consultancy I’ve ever interacted with in my entire career life. Professional, engaging, participatory approach, accommodative, flexible. Also adapted well to virtual learning. We like the break-out rooms, we like the instant quizzes. This makes learning feel real and less virtual.”

SADC Secretariat Director

“Magnificent training tools, approach, and mode of delivery. Kudos to the consultants”.

SADC Secretariat Officer