Overview

Established under Article 4 of the Convention on the establishment of the Joint Songwe River Basin Commission (SONGWECOM) as one of the Commission’s three permanent organs, the Secretariat is the executive, technical and administrative arm of the Joint Songwe River Basin Commission (SONGWECOM), responsible for translating the strategic decisions of the Council of Ministers and the Joint Steering Committee into action. As provided under Article 9 of the Convention, the Secretariat is headed by the Executive Secretary, supported by the Deputy Executive Secretary and staffed by technical professionals recruited on merit from the two Partner States on an equitable basis.

Article 9(6) of the Convention assigns the Secretariat broad institutional responsibilities, including implementation of decisions of the Council and Committee, provision of management and technical services, preparation of annual work programmes and project documents, maintenance and dissemination of hydrological and environmental data, oversight of infrastructure implementation and operations, and provision of secretarial services to governance organs.

Phase 1: Institutional Establishment Phase

Phase 1 covers the period from the operational establishment of SONGWECOM until commencement of the development of the Lower Songwe Dam, Hydropower Plant and Transmission Lines Project. This phase is characterized by “a mixture of staff recruited from the open market and staff seconded from the Governments.”

This lean but strategic structure is intended to establish the institutional systems, governance mechanisms, and operational readiness required for the Commission to function effectively.

Core Structure includes:

• Executive Secretary
• Financial Manager
• ICT and MIS Officer
• Personal Secretary
• Office Assistants
• Drivers
• Technical staff seconded from the Governments of Tanzania and Malawi

Phase 2: Project Implementation Phase

Phase 2 begins when construction of the Lower Songwe Dam, Hydropower Plant and Transmission Lines Project commences and continues until approximately one year before commissioning the dam.

The phase comprises “100% recruited staff” across all employment categories established by the Commission. This transition reflects the increasing technical and operational demands associated with implementation of major transboundary infrastructure and basin development investments.

Core Structure includes:

• Executive Secretary
• Senior Dam Engineer
• Hydrologist
• Environmental Officer
• Community Livelihood Development & Stakeholder Engagement Officer
• Financial Manager
• Accountant
• Assistant Accountant
• Administration and Human Resources Officer
• ICT & MIS Officer
• Personal Secretary
• Drivers
• Office Assistants
• Office Cleaners
• Office Attendant

Phase 3: Asset Operations and Sustainability Phase

Phase 3 represents SONGWECOM’s mature institutional phase, commencing during the final year before completion and commissioning of the Lower Songwe Dam, Hydropower Plant and Transmission Lines project and continuing thereafter.

The phase is when “SONGWECOM will be generating its own resources to run the institution,” with recruitment of key operational personnel beginning one year before commissioning to facilitate technical training and seamless transition from construction to operations. This phase transforms SONGWECOM from a programme implementation institution into a long-term transboundary asset management and basin development authority.

Strategic focus areas include:

• Management of hydropower and water infrastructure assets
• Operations and maintenance oversight
• Revenue management and institutional financial sustainability
• Basin-wide investment coordination
• Flood risk management and early warning systems
• Water-energy-food-environment nexus programming
• Long-term regional development planning

This phase aligns with Article 10(c) of the Convention, which assigns the Commission responsibility for “management of all the revenues generated from or by use of the assets developed under the SRBDP.”

Institutional Vision

Through this progressive three-phase institutional model, SONGWECOM is building a modern, technically competent, financially sustainable, and results-oriented transboundary river basin institution that delivers shared prosperity for the Republic of Malawi and the United Republic of Tanzania.

This structure reflects the Commission’s long-term vision of becoming a model African River Basin Organization advancing integrated water resources management, climate resilience, infrastructure-led transformation, and equitable socio-economic development across the Songwe River Basin.