ALMA ANDRADE
Summary
Accomplished senior executive with over 20 years of progressive leadership in corporate governance, strategic operations, financial oversight, and human capital management. Proven track record as Director Corporate Services at the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), overseeing critical administrative and operational functions and managing an annual budget of ZAR 100 million. Experienced in cross-border intergovernmental collaboration, high-level stakeholder engagement, and institutional transformation. Served as Acting Executive Secretary of SACU, engaging directly with Heads of State, Ministers, and senior intergovernmental officials. Adept at driving strategic planning, digital transformation, policy development, and risk management across multicultural environments.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Director: Corporate Services
SACU
Windhoek
07.2014 - Current
- Lead Corporate Services across HR, Finance, ICT, Procurement, Records, and Facilities (14 staff).
- Acted as Executive Secretary (Oct 2022 – Jan 2023), reporting to the SACU Council of Ministers.
- Strategic advisor to the Executive Secretary, overseeing Secretariat operations and business continuity.
- Manage a ZAR 100M+ budget; consistently exceed 90% budget absorption.
- Directed the Secretariat's COVID-19 operational transformation, chairing the task team.
- Lead organizational and pay structure reform initiatives.
- Oversees the implementation of performance systems and 20+ digitized processes.
- Represent SACU to the Council, Commission, and Finance & Audit Committee.
General Manager
Royal Villas
Ezulwini
01.2011 - 06.2014
- Managed various departments of a 57-room hotel operation with 106 staff.
- Led operational, capital expenditure budget development, internal audits, and renovations.
- Close liaison with various government officials during high-profile visits of Heads of State and Government.
- Ensuring compliance with all policies and procedures in the areas of Human Resources, Finance and Procurement.
Consultant / Country Advisor
NORSAD, UNDP, ILO, EU, GTZ, FAO
Ezulwini
05.2002 - 01.2012
- Advised on SME financing, gender budgeting, rural development, and ICT for entrepreneurs.
- Delivered stakeholder assessments and national extension system reforms.
- Worked with and consulted for various multilateral and international organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union Private Sector Support Programme (PSSP), and the German Technical Fund International.
New Business Manager
Tibiyo Taka Ngwane
Ezulwini
06.2005 - 01.2011
- Attending and reporting on international and regional meetings, and trade missions aimed at fostering economic development.
- Coordination of project implementation activities with various stakeholders, prior to the handover of projects to the investment supervision department.
- Regular liaison and interaction with local and regional organizations in various fields of economic development.
- Hosting business meetings for delegations from regional and international companies.
Senior Business Development Officer
Tibiyo Taka Ngwane
Ezulwini
06.2003 - 05.2005
- Oversaw the investment strategy and budget for the national development fund.
- Promoted and evaluated private sector projects across SADC, and Asia.
- Coordination of project implementation activities with various stakeholders.
Investment Officer
IFU Denmark & Zimbabwe
Harare
05.2001 - 11.2001
- Private sector project identification and promotion within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
- Participating in contract negotiations and obtaining all necessary documentation for entering into a financing agreement.
- Project management, supervision, and monitoring.
Associate Investment Officer
Industrialization Fund for Developing Countries
Coppenhagen
09.1999 - 04.2001
- Promotion and presentation of IFU activities to various interest groups in Denmark and SADC.
- Project management, supervision, and monitoring.
- Keeping updated with all relevant information (political, financial, market, human rights, and other legislation) relating to SADC and Denmark
Investment Officer
Africa Project Development Facility/World Bank
Harare
01.1997 - 08.1999
- Promotion of APDF activities within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
- Mobilizing project funding from local and international financial institutions.
- Assisting entrepreneurs where necessary to team up with joint venture partners, and seeking technical assistance for startup projects.
Education
Executive MBA -
Scandinavian Int’l Management Institute
Denmark04-2001
Certificate in Finance -
University of Cape Town
RSA06-1999
Investment Appraisal & Management Program -
Harvard University
USA08-1996
BCom - Business Administration
University of Eswatini
Eswatini05-1993
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Executive Leadership
- Corporate Governance
- Human Resources
- Organizational Restructuring
- Talent Retention
- Finance & Budget Management
- IFRS
- Audit & Risk Control
- ICT & Digital Transformation
- ERP Deployment
- Procurement
- Public Diplomacy
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Board Representation
Languages
English (fluent)
References
Available upon request
Personal Information
Nationality: Swati (Kingdom of Eswatini)
Date of Birth: 28/11/1971
Board Representation
- Acting Executive Secretary, SACU
- Alternate Chair, Procurement Committee
- Liaison for Heads of State visits
- Council & Commission Delegate
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director: Corporate Services
SACU
07.2014 - Current
General Manager
Royal Villas
01.2011 - 06.2014
New Business Manager
Tibiyo Taka Ngwane
06.2005 - 01.2011
Senior Business Development Officer
Tibiyo Taka Ngwane
06.2003 - 05.2005
Consultant / Country Advisor
NORSAD, UNDP, ILO, EU, GTZ, FAO
05.2002 - 01.2012
Investment Officer
IFU Denmark & Zimbabwe
05.2001 - 11.2001
Associate Investment Officer
Industrialization Fund for Developing Countries
09.1999 - 04.2001
Investment Officer
Africa Project Development Facility/World Bank
01.1997 - 08.1999
Executive MBA -
Scandinavian Int’l Management Institute
Certificate in Finance -
University of Cape Town
Investment Appraisal & Management Program -
Harvard University
BCom - Business Administration
University of Eswatini
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