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1 week ago
Chief Operating Officer – Fixed-term role supporting Botswana project operations. Responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership across drilling activities, ensuring safe, efficient, productive, and commercially successful delivery in line with company standards, client requirements, and applicable regulatory obligations.
Job Summary
- Job Type: Contract
- Location: Gaborone, Botswana
- Category: Management
- Salary: attractive remuneration
- Closing Date: 2026-10-06
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of drilling operations, site performance, and operational delivery.
- Lead and coordinate site operations, HSE, maintenance, logistics, Admin, and client-facing activities to achieve business and project objectives.
- Monitor operational performance, productivity, equipment utilisation, costs, budgets, and project schedules, implementing corrective actions where required.
- Build strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders and ensure operational commitments are delivered.
- Drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, workforce development, and compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Provide leadership on operational risk management and ensure appropriate resources are available to support safe and reliable project delivery.
Requirements
- Minimum 20 years’ experience in drilling, mining, or heavy equipment operations, including senior leadership responsibilities.
- Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary operations across remote or site-based environments.
- Strong commercial, operational, financial, HSE, and people leadership capability.
- Strong understanding of drilling operations, equipment, productivity, project delivery, and client management.
- Demonstrated ability to manage operational challenges, budgets, performance, and continuous improvement.
- Relevant tertiary qualification in mining, engineering, business, operations, or a related field is an advantage.
- Strong communication, negotiation, reporting, and stakeholder-management skills.
Salary
attractive remuneration
How to Apply
Send your CV and supporting documents to the email address: recruitment@indodrill.com with subject email (Name Chief Operating Officer)
Original Advert
Source document for this listing, published by Jobs Botswana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and experience are typically required for a Chief Operating Officer role in Botswana?
Most employers require a Master's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field, plus at least 10-15 years of senior management experience. Professional certifications such as Chartered Manager or Project Management Professional are highly valued. Experience within the Southern African region and knowledge of Botswana's regulatory environment are often preferred.
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a COO in Botswana?
A COO oversees operational strategy, manages departmental heads, ensures compliance with Botswana's labour and corporate laws, and drives efficiency across the organization. Daily tasks include reviewing performance metrics, liaising with government regulators, and leading executive meetings. The role also involves representing the company at local business forums and industry associations.
How does local work culture in Botswana affect the COO role?
Botswana's work culture emphasizes respect for hierarchy, consensus-building, and relationship-oriented business practices. COOs must balance formal decision-making with consultative approaches that honour local customs and community expectations. Punctuality and professionalism are valued, though flexibility around cultural events and family obligations is common practice.
What career progression opportunities exist after serving as COO in Botswana?
Successful COOs often advance to Chief Executive Officer or Managing Director positions within local corporations or regional headquarters. Some transition to board directorships or advisory roles in Botswana's growing state-owned enterprises and private sector. Others leverage their experience to establish consulting firms serving the SADC region.
What benefits are typically included in a COO compensation package in Botswana?
Standard packages include comprehensive medical aid coverage, pension contributions compliant with Botswana's retirement regulations, and generous annual leave allowances. Many employers provide housing or housing allowances, vehicle benefits, and performance-based bonuses. Relocation support and school fee assistance may be offered for expatriate executives or those moving from other regions.
How should candidates apply for COO positions in Botswana, and what do employers prioritize?
Applications are typically submitted through executive search firms, professional networks, or directly to company boards and remuneration committees. Employers prioritize demonstrated leadership in similar markets, track records of operational turnaround or growth, and strong stakeholder management skills. Local market knowledge, government relations experience, and fluency in Setswana or other regional languages provide significant advantages.
