EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA - DIRECTOR, The Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEQ)

Faculty / Department: Human Resources

Job Detail:

SOUTHERN AND EASTERN AFRICAN CONSORTIUM FOR MONITORING EDUCATIONAL QUALITY (SACMEQ)

VACANCY NO: IRC 670: DIRECTOR

(4 year contract, renewable)

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Applications are invited for the position of Director at the Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEQ) which is a consortium of Ministries of Education located in Southern and Eastern Africa. SACMEQ’s main aims are to (a) build the technical capacity of the SACMEQ Ministries to monitor and evaluate their own basic education systems; and (b) to undertake co-operative educational policy research in order to generate information that can be used by decision-makers to plan the quality of education.

Duties and Responsibilities

Guided by the SACMEQ Managing Committee’s general policy concerning the SACMEQ Co-ordinating Centre (SCC) programme and budget, the Director is responsible for administering the SCC and for planning, executing, and reporting on its programme.

In particular, the Director has the following duties and responsibilities: i) prepares the annual draft programme and budget to be submitted to the Managing Committee for approval and, subject to such approval, draws up a detailed plan of activities and directs and monitors their execution; ii) prepares for and submits to the Managing Committee of the SCC final reports on the execution of each annual programme; iii) proposes through the Managing Committee to the Assembly of Ministers a Medium-Term Plan; iv) strengthens the links between the SCC’s activities, South African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) programmes, in conformity with the Policy Guidelines provided by the SACMEQ Managing Committee and the resolutions of the Assembly of Ministers; v) maintains close working relations with the National Research Co-ordinator (NRC) of each SACMEQ country and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Botswana; vi) fosters communication with the financial contributors to SACMEQ, governments of SACMEQ countries, intergovernmental and non-intergovernmental organizations offering voluntary contributions or other contractual arrangements; vii) oversees the publication programme of the SCC and takes responsibility for its dissemination, expansion and strengthening; viii) secures, with the authorization of the Managing Committee, such additional resources as may be necessary for the operation of the SCC programme; ix) settles personnel issues (on the basis of consultation, as appropriate, with the Managing Committee); x) makes recommendations to the Managing Committee concerning the creation or abolition of posts, and on filling them, within the financial limitations of the SCC’s approved programme and budget; xi) supervises the staff appointed at the SCC; xii) establishes and maintains a close working relationship with governmental or non-governmental, international or national institutions in the fields connected with the SACMEQ programmes; xiii) carries out directly such approved research and training activities as directed by the Managing Committee

Qualifications and Experience Required

Applicants should have: i) Advanced University Degree in Education or Social Sciences. A Phd in Education or Social Sciences will be an added advantage; ii) Sound knowledge of the Research approaches that are applied in large-scale educational policy programmes, attested by publications; iii) Wide experience, at a high level, of the organization and implementation of Research and training programmes in the field of large scale Educational Policy Research; iv) Capacity to convey the importance and relevance of SACMEQ’s Educational Policy Research programme to high officials from SACMEQ countries, relevant donors, and international agencies; v) Ability to work in a cooperative and consultative style so as to ensure genuine ownership of Research and training directions by SACMEQ countries; vi) Managerial abilities required for the effective administration of the SACMEQ Coordinating Centre; vii) Ability to detect emerging educational needs and trends to which Research and training programmes falling within SACMEQ’s attributions could make a substantial contribution and to explore new avenues and patterns of action; viii) Ability to lead, and work with, professional and clerical staff of different nationalities; ix) Excellent knowledge of English; knowledge of other languages including Portuguese desirable.

Remuneration: competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Applicants are to address the stated qualifications and provide other information to assist the University determine their suitability for the position. They should also quote the vacancy number of the post applied for, provide current CVs (including telephone, telefax and e-mail), certified copies of educational certificates and transcripts, names and addresses of three referees, and send complete documentation to: The Manager, Appointments and Administration (Academic), University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana; Telephone: (+267) 355 4153/ 5594/ 4742/ 2027/ 4155, Fax (+267) 395 9399. E-mail hra@mopipi.ub.bw. Applicants should inform their referee/s to: (i) Quote the Vacancy number and position applied for and (ii) submit their references directly to the above address, before the stipulated closing date. Please note that applicants with incomplete information shall not be acknowledged.

Hand delivered applications should be submitted to the West Wing of the Administration Building (Block 108), Office 205 or 207 (108/ 205 or 207).

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing Date: Open Until Filled