MANAGER: APPRENTICESHIP – Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – MANAGER: APPRENTICESHIP

JOB REF: TPD (002)

BACKGROUND

Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) is a professional body of accountants incorporated in terms of the Accountants Act 2010. The role of the Institute is to represent its members’ interests, administer the Botswana Professional Accountancy Qualification, develop the accounting profession, protect the public interest and ensure observance of the highest professional and ethical standards by its members. BICA plays a vital role in producing Chartered Accountants in the country through its flagship Botswana Professional Accountancy Qualification. The Qualification is run through a twinning arrangement between BICA and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

During their studies, BICA students are placed with Authorised Training Employers (ATEs) to obtain the required practical working experience of 450 days for them to qualify as Chartered Accountants.

The Institute is looking to recruit an Apprenticeship Manager responsible for planning, management and implementation of strategies, policies, procedures and operational guidelines for the BICA ATEs’ scheme and placement, support and review of performance of learners, to ensure timely and successful delivery and completion of apprenticeships, internships and compliance with IFAC and BICA educational standards.

The key responsibilities of the Apprenticeship Manager include;

• Development, review and updating Strategies for the implementation of the Authorized Training Employer Scheme and policies for review by the Director Training and Professional Development.
• Review, develop and update internship and apprenticeship training modules in accordance with the Institute’s and Partner Organizations requirements and submit them to the Director for review and approval before disseminating them to ATEs.
• ATE Accreditation and Student Support & Monitoring
• Undertakes recruitment and accreditation of approved employers authorized to employ and offer training contracts to BICA students.
• Manages, coordinates and leads regular and spot programme visits to verify and ensure that ATEs meet standards of the Botswana Professional Accountancy Qualification and IFAC educational standards. Recommends corrective actions on identified non­conformities.
• Provides mentorship and technical advice to ATEs on the experience of the student and maintenance of training record.
• Management of student practical experience
• Reviews and monitors the student apprenticeship agreement to ensure compliance with relevant IFAC educational standards.
• Manage and coordinates the student’s practical experience and training agreement process.
• Manages the learner and employer relationships, ensuring high standards of performance, teaching, learning and assessment are evident throughout the BICA apprentice/learner’s experience.

• Monitor progress of all learners and make sure that learners are on track with all aspects of their traineeship programme, work experience and positive employment/education progression that meets ATE Traineeship recognized outcomes.
• Oversees the development, review and maintenance of accurate apprenticeship student and ATE records and database.
• Liaises with and supports educational and training institutions in the development of BICA Qualification internship and apprenticeship schemes/modules as part of institutional programmes /courses.
• Works closely with educational partners to ensure that BICA standards comply with partnership agreements.
• To oversee and manage the budget for the Apprenticeship division

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field
• A Professional Accounting Qualification will be an added advantage (BICA, ACCA, CIMA)
• At least 5 years’ progressive post-qualification experience gained from either:
• A financial reporting and Accounting or Auditing environment: or
• Education and Training environment.
• Work experience in a professional Accounting firm will be an added advantage.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of apprenticeship programmers and frameworks
• Knowledge and previous experience of working for a work-based learning/training providers
• Knowledge and experience in the formulation and implementation of apprenticeship and internships strategies and policies and manuals
• Computer literate

COMPETENCIES

• Strategic orientation
• Delivering results
• Team building, transformational leadership and motivation
• Budgetary and resource management
• Decisiveness and Assertiveness
• People management
• Networking and relationship management
• Customer orientation