Job Summary
- Type: full-time
- Location: Gaborone
- Category: Interpreting & Translation
- Closing Date: 2026-09-09
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in providing professional sign language interpreting services for lectures, tutorials; laboratory sessions, classes, workshops, meetings, events, and other university-related activities.
- Assist in interpreting spoken language into appropriate sign language and vice versa.
- Assist in facilitating effective communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals and their instructors, peers, and university staff.
- Assist in translating and converting course materials into sign language as required.
- Assist in ensuring that course materials are accessible to students with hearing impairments.
- Assist in promoting awareness of and comprehension of deaf culture and sign language amongst the university community.
- Ensure that the needs and interests of students who are deaf or have hearing impairment are represented, so that they have access to university resources and services.
Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree in Sign Language, Deaf Education, Special Education or any other related field is required.
- Certification as a Sign Language Interpreter
- Cultural competency and an understanding of Deaf culture and communication
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Salary
The University of Botswana offers a competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.
How to Apply
Vacancy Circular No: IRC 3438
About the Company
The University of Botswana (UB) was established in 1982, as the first institution of higher education in Botswana. The university currently has three campuses: one in the capital city Gaborone, one in Francistown, and another in Maun. The University of Botswana is divided into six faculties: Business, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Health Sciences, Science and Social Sciences and the Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital. UB is ranked 1201–1500 in the world and 21st in sub-Saharan Africa in the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications or certifications are required to work as a Sign Language Interpreter at the University of Botswana?
Applicants typically need a recognized diploma or degree in Sign Language Interpreting, with preference given to those certified by the Botswana National Association of the Deaf (BNAD) or holding equivalent accreditation from the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA). Proficiency in Setswana Sign Language (SSL) is mandatory, and formal training in SSL linguistics and interpreting ethics is expected.
What does a typical day look like for a Sign Language Interpreter at the University of Botswana?
Daily duties include facilitating real-time interpretation during lectures, tutorials, meetings, and university events for Deaf students and staff. Interpreters also collaborate with lecturers to prepare subject-specific terminology and may support academic advising or orientation sessions, often working across campuses in Gaborone and satellite locations.
How does workplace culture and professional expectations differ for interpreters in Botswana compared to other countries?
Interpreters in Botswana are expected to uphold strong cultural respect for both Setswana norms and Deaf community values, including confidentiality, neutrality, and active participation in BNAD-led professional development. Punctuality, dress code aligned with university standards, and respectful engagement with elders and academic staff are consistently emphasized in local practice.
What career progression opportunities exist for Sign Language Interpreters employed by public institutions like the University of Botswana?
Interpreters may advance to senior interpreter roles, team coordination positions, or transition into training and mentoring new interpreters through BNAD or UB’s Centre for Disability Support Services. Some pursue further studies in Deaf education or disability policy, supported by institutional partnerships with local universities and NGOs.
What benefits — such as leave, medical aid, and pension — are typically offered to full-time Sign Language Interpreters at the University of Botswana?
Full-time interpreters are covered under the Public Service Act and receive standard government benefits: 30 days annual leave, sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, and membership in the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF). Medical aid is provided through the Government Health Insurance Scheme (GHIS), with coverage extending to dependants per current civil service regulations.
How do I apply for this role, and what do hiring managers at the University of Botswana specifically look for in candidates?
Applications must be submitted via the University of Botswana Human Resources portal during advertised vacancies, accompanied by certified academic documents, BNAD certification (if held), and a valid police clearance certificate. Hiring panels prioritize demonstrated SSL fluency, experience in academic settings, adherence to the BNAD Code of Ethics, and evidence of ongoing professional development within Botswana’s Deaf community context.