Chief Executive Officer – Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA

Job Description

Job Description

Job Reference Number: 015-2026
Department: Office of the Chief Executive Officer
Business Unit:
Industry: Academic
Job Type: Contract
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related

Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) is a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Higher Education. The Authority draws its mandate from the BQA Act No.24 of 2013.Its main objectives are to provide for and maintain a National Credit and Qualifications Framework (NCQF) and to coordinate the Education, Training and Skills Development Quality Assurance System.

To provide overall stewardship through effective strategy and implementation thereto, manage all institutional activities to ensure high quality and cost-effective services are delivered to clients. Drive organisational and cultural change, and ensure all policies, regulations and codes of ethics are cascaded down and adhered to throughout the institution.

Main Purpose Of The Job

• Build a unified team around a unique organisation culture for BQA and manage the transition and change during and after the establishment of BQA.
• Create and maintain a positive climate premised on the principles of quality, innovation, efficiency and productivity, and that is conducive for the delivery of BQA’s mandate and the realisation of its targets.
• Develop a vision for BQA in line with the vision, goals and policies set out by the Ministry and BQA Act.
• Lead BQA effectively towards the realisation of its vision and goals.
• Overall leadership to the development of policies and strategies for executing BQA’s mandate.

Main Duties

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and monitoring of the implementation of BQA’s strategic and operational plans, and report periodically on progress and performance to the Board.
• Prioritise, control and decide on the allocation of resources between competing demands, and delegate appropriate responsibility to the Deputy CEO and Heads of Departments whilst retaining overall accountability for the delivery of quality services.
• Ascertain proper management and optimal utilisation of resources.
• Ensure suitability of manpower, technology and financial resources, and propose to the Board and/or the Minister for additional resources if needed.
• Direct management and oversight on the CEO’s office operations.
• Play a leading role in the recruitment, training and development, mentoring, motivation and retention, appraisal of the Senior Management Team.
• Ensure the appointment, formation and development of an efficient administration of the Authority.
• Maintain staff discipline in the Authority.
• Responsible for all income, expenditure of the Authority; and all assets of the Authority and the discharge of all the liabilities of the Authority.
• Monitor and evaluate performance of direct reports and take appropriate action steps in view of under or over achievements.
• Ensure that there are appropriate processes, systems, controls and operating mechanisms in place to promote effective and efficient delivery of internal and external services.
• Ensure close and smooth inter department collaboration and teamwork.
• Facilitate informed decision making and good governance through the organisation, management and dissemination of high-quality information to the Board and its committees.
• Undertake any other duties as delegated by the Board or the Minister.
• Linking with the Ministry of Higher Education.
• Review and approve Annual Strategic and Operational Plans and Budgets for BQA before submission to the Board and the Minister.
• Provide Government with the detailed funding requirements of BQA in line with NDPs and long-term vision of the organisation.
• Report and present to the Minister/ Cabinet the realisations, outcomes and impacts of BQA.
• Sell the BQA concept and strategies to both the BQA Board and the Ministry, and recommend any opportunities to structure, reposition, rebrand or expand BQA, if this is aligned to the policy of Government for the sector.
• Provide the Minister with up to date and reliable information and advice on all matters related to qualifications and quality assurance of education and training providers.
• Transform escalated analysis into high value policy advice to the Ministry.
• Promote the BQA brand and conduct yourself in a manner that is not detrimental to the objective of, or the proper performance of the functions of the Authority.

Board Support Services

• Participate in meetings of the Board and its Committees as necessary.
• Ensure provision of Secretarial Services to the Board and its Committees.
• Execute or verify that Board decisions are executed by the proper Committee or management, and report to the Board on actions taken.
• Carry out and implement the decisions of the Board timeously.
• Act as technical advisor to the Board, providing information and guidance on as necessary, to ensure informed decision making by the Board.
• Respond to queries and requests for clarifications from the Audit and Risk Committees of the Board.
• Make recommendations regarding the appointment of the senior staff of the Authority to the Board.

Business Growth

• Develop and sustain partnerships with top decision makers: public and private, Government and industry.
• Assess and analyses global best practices for benchmarking with BQA systems, processes and operations in view of constantly improving its services.
• Advocate and promote the image of the organisation to promote the service and employer brand and cultivate a positive relationship with key stakeholders.
• Advocate for establishment of partnerships (local and international) that can allow BQA to improve its service.
• Seek strategies to make BQA become self-sustainable and revenue generating and endeavor to reduce dependency on government funding.
• Ensure that the Authority keeps and maintains proper accounts and records of accounts in respect of every financial year relating to its assets, liabilities, income and expenditure, and shall prepare, in each financial year, a statement of such accounts.
• Ensure that three months at the end of each financial year, the Authority is audited by an auditor appointed by the Board.
• Ensure that within a period of six months after the financial year or within such longer period as the Minister may approve, submit, to the Minister, a comprehensive report of its operations during that year, together with the auditor’s report and the audited accounts as provided for in section 23 and the report shall be published in such manner as the Minister may require.

Job Requirements

Education

• Master’s Degree from a recognised institution or any other related qualification acceptable to BQA.
• A PhD would be an added advantage.

Experience

• A minimum of 15 years’ experience with significant working exposure in the Education and Training sector and at least 8 years in a leadership position.
• Significant exposure and networking experience with industry required.

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of the Education and Training sector in Botswana.
• Knowledge of qualifications frameworks.
• Abreast of registration, accreditation and quality assurance principles, systems, processes, procedures etc. in the Education and Training sector.
• Experience with systems and applications in the specific work area.
• A valid driver’s Licence (Class B)

Other Competencies

• Leadership, people management and change management skills.
• Coaching and mentoring skills.
• Ability to build and motivate teamwork, and to work with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Read and interpret core financial reports.
• Build realistic forecasts that connect operational goals to long-term Authority’s growth.
• Identify, assess, and control potential risks to the Authority’s operations.
• Accuracy, thoroughness and attention to details.
• Ability to show independent judgement, take decisions and be assertive.
• Analytical thinking and problem solving.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and within established deadlines.
• Ability to remain flexible and positive in times of changes, and readiness to adapt.
• Results and service oriented.
• Ability to be creative and innovative, and willingness to constantly seek improvement.
• Ability to handle a multitude of tasks simultaneously and in a timely manner.

Remuneration
BQA offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with the responsibilities and challenges of the job.

Contract
Fixed-term contract of five (5) years.

Application Instructions

Closing date: 2 October 2026