DIVISION OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR
DEPARTMENT OF STRATEGY, RISK AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT
VACANCY NO: IRC 3566
The University of Botswana (UB), a premier state-owned tertiary institution dedicated to shaping the future through excellence, innovation and meaningful societal impact, invites applications from accomplished and suitably qualified professionals for the position of Director of the Department of Strategy, Risk and Quality Management, in the Division of the Vice Chancellor.
This leadership role is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of the University. The successful candidate will oversee strategic planning, policy management, project management, change initiatives, data analytics, risk management and quality assurance to enhance the University's performance and achieve its mission and vision.
Duties: The Director will; i. lead Develop and execute the university's strategic plan, aligning it with the institution's vision and mission; ii. Collaborate with University leadership to set strategic goals, monitor progress, as well as facilitate continuous improvement and innovation; iii. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify growth opportunities, emerging trends, and areas for improvement; iv. Facilitate the development of and present periodic performance review reports to the executive management team, Council and any other relevant governance structures as the University deems fit; v. Facilitate the alignment and cascading of the strategy to all key stakeholders of the University; vi. Monitor and evaluate the performance of departmental operations against established goals and objectives, identifying areas for improvement and recommending corrective action as needed; vii. Provide visionary leadership to the team and inspire innovation; viii. Develop and execute the university's strategic plan, aligning it with the institution's vision and mission; ix. Collaborate with university leadership to set strategic goals, monitor progress, as well as facilitate continuous improvement and innovation; x. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify growth opportunities, emerging trends, and areas for improvement; xi. Facilitate the development of and present periodic performance review reports to the executive management team, Council and any other relevant governance structures as the University deems fit; xii. Facilitate the alignment and cascading of the strategy to all key stakeholders of the University; xiii. Monitor and evaluate the performance of departmental operations against established goals and objectives, identifying areas for improvement and recommending corrective action as needed; xiv. Provide visionary leadership to the team and inspire innovation Oversee the establishment and implementation of a comprehensive policy management framework for the University in line with international best practice; xv. Formulate risk management strategies, policies, and frameworks to protect the university's interests; xvi. Lead the identification, assessment, and mitigation of risks across academic, operational, and financial functions; xvii. Lead the entrenchment of a risk-based culture across the university; xviii. Oversee the establishment and implementation of a comprehensive quality management framework for the University in line with international best practice; xix. Collaborate with the Teaching and Learning Support function in ensuring the accreditation of academic programmes in line with defined quality standards; xx. Promote a culture of continuous improvement across the university; xxi. Develop and lead the execution of data analytics strategies to extract meaningful insights from the University data; xxii. Provide data-driven recommendations for informed decision making, process optimization, and resource allocation; xxiii. Provide regular reports and updates to University leadership, the Council, and relevant committees; xxiv. Ensure transparency and accountability in strategy execution and risk management; xxv. Provide excellent customer service ensuring client and stakeholder satisfaction; xxvi. Establish and maintain partnerships with relevant internal and external stakeholders to enable effective delivery of the departmental mandate, as necessary. Develop and manage the departmental risk register with clear mitigation strategies; xxvii. Coordinate and support internal and external departmental audits as per the University policy; xxviii. Address audit findings and recommendations to improve processes and controls; xxix. Ensure departmental compliance to legislative and statutory requirements; xxx. Lead efforts to recruit, retain, and develop a diverse and talented team; xxxi. Develop and manage the strategy, risk, and quality management budget; xxxii. Recommend expenditure in accordance with delegated limits and xxxii. Undertake any other duties as directed by the supervisor in line with the role.
Qualification & Experience Requirements: Candidates should have: i. A minimum of a Master’s degree in a Management discipline with specialisation in Strategy Management or related relevant area; ii. Advanced certification in Strategy Management (e.g., Balanced Scorecard) awarded by a recognized professional body or association; iii. Membership of a recognized and relevant professional body from across the suite of key performance areas of the position (Strategy, Policy, Risk, Quality and Data Analytics; iv. A minimum of ten (10) years' experience, five (5) of which should have been at middle management level or sectional head level. Higher Education experience is preferred.
Added advantages: i. Certifications in the related disciplines from one of the key performance areas of the position (Policy, Risk, Quality Data Analytics); ii. Specialization in the related disciplines from one of the key performance areas of the position.
Other Requirements: i. Strong knowledge of strategic planning and execution, risk management, data analytics, and quality management principles; ii. Knowledge of quality management frameworks and standards, such as Six Sigma or ISO; iii. Strong leadership and team management abilities, with a proven track record of leading and developing teams; iv. Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including senior management, faculty, and staff; v. Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans and risk management frameworks; vi. Understanding of relevant regulatory and compliance requirements for the higher education sector, including accreditation standards and data privacy laws.
Renumeration: The University of Botswana offers a competitive remuneration package, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
How to Apply: Letters of application are to address the stated qualification requirements and provide any other information to assist the University to determine the applicant’s suitability for the position. Applicants should quote the vacancy number of the post applied for; provide current CVs (including telephone/cell-phone numbers and e-mail address), certified true copies of educational certificates & transcripts, and submit three (3) reference letters submitted directly to the University.
The complete documentation must be sent to: Manager: Executive Support Services, Division of the Vice Chancellor, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana. Telephone: (+267) 355-2037/2979/5655. E-mail: Ramaologal@ub.ac.bw
Hand-delivered applications should be submitted to the University of Botswana administration building, at the corner of Notwane and Mobuto road, Block 108 - Office No. 314 (third floor).
NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: 16th November 2026