Head: Student Engagement – University of Botswana

Job Description

Job Summary

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 Head: Student Engagement in the Department of Student Life & Experience. The Head: Student Engagement is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of programmes and services that enhance overall student experience. This leadership role focuses on fostering student wellness, housing services, development and governance, and Sports Culture and Recreation. The incumbent will work collaboratively with various stakeholders to create a vibrant, supportive and inclusive campus environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of university and departmental strategies, policies, plans and procedures, and lead implementation at a sectional level.
• Develop and implement Student Engagement level plans in line with the University goals and objectives.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of Student Housing and Engagement operations against established goals and objectives, identifying areas for improvement and recommending corrective action as needed.
• Oversee the development and management of ERP and student engagement records.
• Stay updated with key trends to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation.
• Oversee housing assignments, room allocations, and occupancy rates.
• Develop comprehensive guidelines for provision of on/off campus student accommodation.
• Develop and lead the implementation of the Living and Learning Communities Programmes.
• Ensure a healthy and safe living environment for students across all living facilities.
• Provide guidance and support to students living in university housing, addressing their concerns and needs.
• Oversee the development of co-curriculum programs that address areas of welfare.
• Liaise with counseling services, health centers, and academic advisors to ensure holistic student support.
• Liaise with academic departments to integrate housing-related programmes with the overall student experience.
• Oversee the development and implementation of cultural, sports, and recreational programmes.
• Promote and ensure diverse and inclusive culture, sports, and recreation activities.
• Ensure that sports and recreational facilities are well-maintained and accessible to all students.
• Drive university participation in national, regional and international participation in sporting, cultural and recreational activities.
• Lead the development of and support student leadership programmes and governance structures.
• Foster student involvement in university governance.
• Oversee the development and enforcement of student conduct policies.
• Ensure fair and consistent handling of disciplinary matters, fostering a respectful and accountable campus community.
• Oversee the development and implementation of wellness programmes that address various dimensions of well-being, including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects.
• Foster an environment that addresses the diverse needs of students across the university.
• Ensure adequate resources are allocated for wellness initiatives and programmes.
• Provide excellent customer service ensuring client and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with relevant internal and external stakeholders to enable effective delivery of the departmental mandate, as necessary.
• Resolve customer enquiries and issues in a timely and efficient manner.
• Identify and address areas of improvement for customer and stakeholder experience.
• Participate in recruitment and ensure retention and development of a diverse team.
• Support sectional level professional development activities, including mentoring, training, and opportunities for advancement.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to support continuous improvement to employees under supervision.
• Engage and discipline staff in accordance with defined human resource management policies and procedures and prevailing labour laws.
• Assist with the development of the departmental budget.
• Lead the development and management of the Student Engagement budget.
• Recommend expenditure in accordance with delegated limits.
• Develop and manage sectional risk register with clear mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate and support internal and external sectional audits as per the University policy.
• Address audit findings and recommendations to improve processes and controls.
• Ensure sectional compliance with legislative and statutory requirements and Undertake any other duties as directed by the supervisor in line with their role.

Requirements

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Humanities, Education or any other related field is required; A PhD will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience, three (3) of which should have been at managerial level.
• Higher Education experience is required.
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, and budget management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Coordinating, organizing and supervisory skills.
• Competencies in equity and diversity, transformation and change, emotional intelligence, adaptability, resilience, and flexibility, curriculum development, research methodologies.
• Be registered or eligible for registration with a recognized and relevant professional body.

Salary

Competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit: ub.bw

Vacancy Circular No: IRC 3426

Closing Date: 2026-10-14