Job Summary
- Employer: University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
- Job Type: Contract
- Location: Mahalapye, Botswana
- Category: Education
- Salary: competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications
- Closing Date: 2026-11-03
Key Responsibilities
- Teach both undergraduate and graduate Family Medicine and Primary Health Care courses;
- Conduct research in his/her areas of expertise and supervise medical students’ research projects;
- Provide service to the university, profession and community;
- Provide clinical care in affiliated primary health care clinics and hospitals;
- Participate in other academic and professional activities of the department;
- Provide good disciplinary knowledge and ensure that use a range of learning practices;
- Demonstrate coherence between philosophy and practice;
- Use programme/course design principles and institutional guidelines to ensure effective curriculum development;
- Review programmes/ courses to ensure they are relevant to and up to date with local, international, global and disciplinary contexts, as well as engagement with students, stakeholders and peers;
- Secure external funding to support research and elevate the university’s reputation;
- Drive grant proposal development to sustain research momentum;
- Advocate for cross-disciplinary research to tackle societal challenges effectively;
- Collaborate with other institutions, organisations or cognitive disciplines in the university to drive the research standing of the university;
- Examine, moderate or assess undergraduate and/or postgraduate students;
- Participate and serve as a Board Secretary in departmental committees;
- Conduct and participate in community extension work to include the promotion of locally relevant cultural attributes/ values that benefit the community, serving as an advisor/ resource to a community organisation and/ or applying professional expertise to solve community problems;
- Engage in continuous professional development to stay current in both academic and professional realms locally;
- Participate in the identification and mitigation of operational risks
- perform any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Head of School/Departmental Chairperson required by the University in line with the role.
Requirements
- At least a Specialist qualification in Family Medicine or relevant degree;
- A Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery in medicine (MBBS, MBChB, MD degree) or relevant and equivalent qualification from a recognised institution;
- A minimum of 3 years of post-specialisation experience in professional practice in Family Medicine;
- the qualification must be registered with or registerable by the Botswana Health Professions Council with a specialist status;
- At least 3 years relevant teaching experience at a University or comparable institution; or 1 year of sustained mentorship/practice related training which would be considered as an alternative;
- Minimum of 6 pieces of research products published by recognised publishers, 3 of which must be articles in refereed/accredited journals indexed in internationally recognised indexing databases;
- Sustained professional research output; a minimum of 1 peer reviewed publication every 2 years or new creative professional works in the last 6 years;
- be lead and /or last author in at least 2 of the refereed journal publications;
- Publications should be spread nationally and/or internationally and across journals;
- Some research impact, including but not limited to citations, the h-index, patents, policy applications, peer reviews, publications that are prescribed in texts in other institutions etc.;
- Recognised as being of at least national research or effective clinical professional standing;
- Successful supervision/co-supervision of research projects/post-doctoral/clinical research fellow supervision;
- Evidence of social engagement and governance.
Salary
competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications
How to Apply
Vacancy Circular No: 3552
About the Company
The University of Botswana is the national university of Botswana, headquartered in the capital city of Gaborone. Established in 1982 through a merger of existing higher education institutions, it operates multiple campuses including the main Gaborone campus and facilities in Francistown and Maun. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs across faculties including Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences. As Botswana's premier public institution of higher learning, it plays a central role in developing the country's skilled workforce and contributing to national research priorities.
Leading national university shaping Botswana's future through education and research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications are typically required for a Senior Lecturer or Lecturer in Family Medicine at the University of Botswana?
A medical degree (MBBS or equivalent) and a postgraduate qualification in Family Medicine or Primary Health Care are essential. For Senior Lecturer positions, a Master's degree or PhD plus several years of clinical and teaching experience are usually required. Registration with the Botswana Health Professions Council is mandatory for clinical practice.
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a Family Medicine lecturer at the University of Botswana?
Daily duties include delivering lectures and facilitating tutorials for medical students, supervising clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals like Princess Marina Hospital, conducting research, and contributing to curriculum development. Faculty also mentor postgraduate trainees in the Family Medicine residency program. Administrative responsibilities such as committee work and examination setting are also expected.
How does the academic work culture at the University of Botswana differ from clinical practice in the public health system?
Academic positions offer more structured hours with protected time for research and curriculum development, unlike the demanding on-call schedules in public hospitals. However, clinical academics maintain dual commitments to teaching and patient care, requiring flexibility during university semesters. The culture emphasizes collegiality, but resource constraints mean faculty often adapt teaching methods to limited infrastructure.
What career progression opportunities exist for Family Medicine academics in Botswana?
Lecturers can advance to Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor ranks based on research output, teaching excellence, and service contributions. Opportunities exist to lead the Family Medicine department, develop new postgraduate programs, or influence national health policy through advisory roles. Some academics transition to leadership positions within the Ministry of Health or international organizations.
What benefits are typically offered to academic staff at the University of Botswana?
Benefits usually include membership in the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund, medical aid coverage through schemes like Botswana Public Officers Medical Aid Scheme, and generous annual leave entitlements. Housing allowances or subsidized university accommodation may be available for eligible appointees. Professional development funding for conference attendance and further studies is often supported.
How should I apply for a Family Medicine lecturer position, and what do selection committees in Botswana prioritize?
Applications are submitted through the University of Botswana's official recruitment portal with a detailed CV, certified copies of qualifications, and contactable referees. Selection committees prioritize candidates with strong clinical credentials, peer-reviewed publications, demonstrated teaching aptitude, and alignment with Botswana's primary health care priorities. Local candidates with understanding of the national health context may have advantage, though international applicants with relevant African experience are also considered.
