DIVISION OF RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE
OKAVANGO RESEARCH INSTITUTE
VACANCY No.: IRC 3521
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 Research Scholar: Professor in Natural Resources Economics, Policy and Rural Development at the Okavango Research Institute, tenable in Maun.
The Research Scholar: Professor is responsible for making original contributions to the Natural Resources discipline, research and/or scholarship, provides leadership in research internationally and makes significant contribution in the governance of the institution. The successful candidate provides strategic academic and research leadership in Natural Resources Economics, Policy and Rural Development. The incumbent will develop and lead internationally recognized research programmes examining the contribution of natural resources to rural livelihoods, economic development, poverty reduction and sustainable development within the Okavango Delta, the Cubango-Okavango River Basin and comparable socio-ecological systems. The Professor will generate evidence to inform national and regional policies, strengthen nature-based economic sectors, and contribute to sustainable resource governance.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Duties: The Professor will; a) Strategy and Policy: i) Contribute to the development of and implementation of university level strategies, policies, plans and procedures, ii) Coordinate aspects of university policy making from time to time as required in area of expertise, iii) Stay updated with key trends to identify to identify opportunities for continuous improvement; b) Research Leadership: i) Provide intellectual and strategic leadership in establishing and implementing a world-class research programme in Natural Resources Economics, Policy and Rural Development within the Okavango Research Institute and will be expected to ii) Provide strategic leadership in developing and implementing internationally competitive research programmes in natural resources economics and rural development, iii) Lead multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research teams investigating the relationships between natural resources, economic development, environmental sustainability and human wellbeing, iv) Develop long-term research agendas addressing emerging challenges affecting sustainable natural resource use within the Okavango Delta and the wider Cubango-Okavango Basin, c) Natural Resources Economics Research: The Professor will lead research on the economics of natural resources with emphasis on i) Economic contribution of wetlands to national and regional economies, ii) Quantifying the contribution of natural resources to local, regional and national economies, iii) Evaluating the economic impacts of biodiversity loss, habitat degradation and climate change, iv) Assessing the economic value of wildlife, fisheries, forests, rangelands and water resources, v) Examining economic trade-offs associated with alternative land-use and development scenarios, vii) Cost-benefit analyses of conservation interventions, viii) Developing Natural Capital Accounts for the Okavango Delta and the Cubango-Okavango Basin; d) Rural Development and Livelihood Research: The Professor will investigate the contribution of natural resources to improvement of rural livelihoods and socio-economic wellbeing with emphases on i) Assessment of the contribution of ecosystem goods and services to household income and rural livelihoods, ii) Investigation of livelihood diversification strategies among rural communities, iii) Assessment of household dependence on wildlife, fisheries, agriculture, tourism and wetland resources, iv) Investigation of indigenous knowledge systems and their contribution to sustainable resource management, and v) Evaluate the effectiveness of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programmes; e) Ecosystem Service Valuation and Natural Capital Accounting: The Professor will lead research on the valuation of ecosystem goods and services including i) Total Economic Valuation (TEV), ii) Natural Capital valuation, iii) Biodiversity valuation, vi) Wetland valuation, vii) Carbon sequestration valuation; f) Natural Resources Policy Research: The Professor will evaluate the effectiveness of natural resources policies particularly i) Wildlife policies, ii) Water policies, iii) Tourism policies, iv) Climate policies, vi) Land use policies, vii) Rural development policies viii) Community-based natural resource management policies; g) Research Funding and Programme Development: The Professor will i) Secure competitive national, regional and international research funding; ii) Establish national, regional and international research partnerships, iii) Manage large collaborative research projects, and iv) Supervise project implementation and reporting; h) Teaching and Graduate Student Supervision: The Professor will i) Supervise MSc, MPhil and PhD students, ii) Develop postgraduate modules in Natural Resources Economics, Environmental Economics and Rural Development, iii) Mentor early-career researchers and postdoctoral fellows and iv) Build research capacity among ORI staff and students; i) Scholarly Output: The Professor will be expected to i) Publish extensively in high-impact international peer-reviewed journals, ii) Produce policy briefs, iii) Develop technical reports, iv) Publish books and book chapters, v) Present research at international conferences, and vii) Enhance ORI's international research profile; j) Governance and Social Engagement: The Professor will be expected to i) Demonstrate excellent leadership in policy formulation and Research Institute Management, ii) Assume chair position in university task forces and actively participate in University-wide committees, iii) Engage in activities to enhance management across the entire university, iv) Contribute to change management in the entire university, v) Identify and pursue strategic opportunities for research programme development, vi) Contribute to curriculum development and governmental advisory groups, vii) Develop entrepreneurial and economic initiatives and engagement benefiting the community, viii) Promote ethical research conduct and high academic standards; k) Personal/Professional Development: The Professor will be expected to i) Make high level impact in institutional and national policy review, ii) Engage in continuous professional development to stay current in both academic and professional realms locally, regionally, and internationally, iii) Represent the University in Professional networks and fora, enhancing the institution’s reputation, iv) Adhere to performance targets as reflected in the performance contract, and prepare for performance reviews and appraisals; l) Risk and Compliance: The Professor is expected to i) Participate in the identification and mitigation of operational risks, ii) Participate in internal and external audit in line with University policies; l) Customer Service: The Professor will be expected to i) Respond to customer/stakeholder queries related to natural resources economics and policies, ii) Collaborate with relevant internal and external stakeholders as needed to effectively deliver duties as defined. Undertake any other duties as directed by the Director: Okavango Research Institute or required by the University in line with the role.
Requirements: The suitable candidate shall possess i) A PhD in Natural Resources Economics, Environmental Economics, Resource Economics, Ecological Economics, Development Economics, or a closely related discipline from a recognized university, ii) At least 9 years of progressively responsible academic and research experience after completion of the PhD), iii) An internationally recognized publication record of research excellence in natural resources economics, environmental economics, rural development, or policy analysis. iv) Demonstration and evidence of academic leadership in a university environment, v) Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students and colleagues, vi) Evidence of ability to secure high value research grants and funding, vii) Proficiency in the application of relevant research tools and techniques (where applicable) viii) Evidence of externally funded/supported/resourced sustained research activity or creative professional work as determined by the University ix) Significant research impact and quality, x) Written evidence of recognition/acknowledgement as research or professional standing by international and national peers, xi) Evidence of research collaboration with industry or other institutions, and cognate disciplines, xii) Experience undertaking economic valuation of ecosystem services and natural capital xiii) Demonstrated expertise in policy analysis and policy impact evaluation, xiv) Experience in socio-economic modelling, environmental valuation, and quantitative economic analysis xv) Evidence of successful supervision of graduate, postgraduate and post-doctoral research projects, xvi) Professional awards and other forms of recognition, and xvii) Knowledge of wetland, river basin, or transboundary natural resource management will be a distinct added advantage.
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