DIVISION OF RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE
OKAVANGO RESEARCH INSTITUTE
VACANCY NO: IRC 3520
The University of Botswana (UB), a premier state-owned tertiary institution dedicated to shaping the future through excellence, research, innovation and meaningful societal impact, invites applications from accomplished and suitably qualified professionals for the position of Manager: Research Support Services at the Okavango Research Institute, tenable in Maun.
The Manager: Research Support Services is responsible for providing comprehensive support to researchers within the Research Institute. The incumbent will ensure this through effective management of research ethics, research statistics and data analysis, grants management, and postgraduate support services.
Duties: The successful candidate will be expected to perform the following duties: (a) Research Ethics Oversight: (i) Ensure the ORI Review Board is duly constituted, coordinate and functioning; (ii) Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and regulations in all research activities conducted at the University; (iii) facilitate the delivery of relevant training programmes on research ethics and compliance; (iv) facilitate provision of guidance and support to researchers in addressing ethical considerations in their projects; (v) Enhance access to up-to-date information on research ethics and training; (vi) Ensure that Institute Review Board decisions are appropriately communicated; (b) Statistical and Data Analysis: (i) support the development and sustenance of data science at the Research Institute through strategic support of the Senior Professional: Statistical and Data Analytics; (ii) Ensure collaboration with faculty and staff to enhance research methodologies and data analysis techniques; (iii) Oversee the identification and use of research tools and software for data analysis; (c) Grants Management: (i) coordinate the grant application and management process within the Research Institute; (ii) Facilitate collaboration with researchers and Manager: Research and Partnerships to identify funding opportunities and prepare competitive grant proposals; (iii) Facilitate collaboration of finance unit with Grant Development Process; (iv) Monitor grant process, reporting and compliance with funding agencies; (d) Post-Graduate Support: (i) Ensure compliance with regulations governing post-graduate studies; (ii) Ensure the Graduate Studies Board is duly constituted, coordinated and functioning, and chair it; (iii) Oversee recruitment, admission, registration, examination and graduation of students; (iv) Facilitate the delivery of programmes to support post-graduate students in their research endeavors; (v) Foster a supportive and productive research and learning environment for post-graduate students including their welfare; (e) Customer and Stakeholder Experience: (i) Establish and maintain partnerships with relevant internal and external stakeholders to enable effective service delivery of departmental mandate, as necessary; (f) People Management: (i) Participate in recruitment and ensure retention and development of a diverse team; (ii) Support Unit level professional development activities, including mentoring, training, and opportunities for advancement; (iii) conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to support continuous improvement to employees under supervision; (iv) Engage and discipline staff in accordance with defined human resource management policies and procedures and prevailing labour laws; (g) Finance Management: (i) Assist with the development and management of the Institute budget; (ii) Develop and manage unit level budget; (iii) Recommend expenditure in accordance with delegated limits; (iii) Carry out any other duties as directorate by the Director: Okavango Research Institute.
Requirements: Candidates should have; (i) At least a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences or related field is required; (ii) A minimum of six (6) years of experience, three (3) of which should have been at senior professional level; (iii) Experience in research support services, research ethics, statistics and grant management; (iv) Experience in the academic research environment is preferred.
Other Requirements: (i) Strong organization and communication skills as well as knowledge of research compliance and ethical standards; (ii) Experience in research support services, research ethics, statistics and grants management; (iii) Strong organizational and communication skills; (iv) Knowledge of research compliance and ethical standards.
Remuneration: The University offers competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.
How to Apply: Letters of application are to address the stated qualifications and provide any other information to assist the University to determine your suitability for the position. You should quote the vacancy number of the post applied for; provide current CVs (including telephone, telex and telefax number and e-mail), certified true copies of educational certificates, transcripts and names and addresses of three referees. Applicants should inform their referees to (i) quote the Vacancy Number(s) and Position(s) applied for and (ii) submit their references directly to the below address before the stipulated closing date. Send your application to: The Manager: Administrative Support Services, Okavango Research Institute, Private Bag 285 Maun, Botswana, Tel. 681-7228; Fax. 686-1835: e-mail, ori_recruitment@ub.ac.bw
Hand delivered applications should be submitted to Manager: Administrative Support Services at the Administration Building, Okavango Research Institute, Sexaxa, along Shorobe Road, Maun, Botswana. Google maps; -19.93871, 23.48969
The Institute is based in Maun in the Northwest District of Botswana, and specializes in natural resources management, sustainable natural resource use and conservation in the world-famous Okavango Delta and the Kgalagadi (Kalahari) region. Additional information on ORI including its Strategic Plan can be found on www.ori.ub.bw.
NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: 24 September 2026