Job Summary
- Type: full-time
- Location: Gaborone
- Category: Disability Support
- Closing Date: 2026-09-09
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with university employees and student groups to provide accessibility services for students with disabilities and raise awareness.
- Assist in identifying students with mobility difficulties and enhance their academic experience.
- Provide individualized mobility support to students with mobility challenges, to help them navigate the university facilities as required.
- Assist in organizing disability awareness seminars/workshops to train university staff and students on providing an inclusive learning environment for all.
- Advise students on the available mobility resources for them
- Assist in conducting accessibility assessments of campus facilities and services to identify barriers and recommend improvements.
- Establish an integrated online computerized information system to accommodate students with disabilities.
- Maintain confidential student records
- Recommend assistive support technologies available to improve accessibility
- Facilitate collaboration with faculties to ensure that teaching and learning materials and resources are developed and provided in accessible formats to students with disabilities.
- Enhance awareness to ensure accommodation is implemented effectively.
- Advise faculty departments on matters pertaining to participation of students with disabilities in laboratory/studio/workshop sessions.
- Assist with the provision of training to students with disabilities in using assistive technology.
- Lead the development of assessment and other accommodation plans based on the needs of students with disabilities.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Education, Social Work, Disability Studies or related field with specialty in one or more areas of different ability is required.
- A minimum of four (4) years of experience, three (3) of which should have been at the officer level .
- Higher education experience will be an added advantage.
- Extensive experience in Disability Support services
- Knowledge of disability legislation and best practices in accessibility and accommodations.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Empathy, patience and commitment to supporting persons with mobility disability Commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable educational environment.
Salary
The University of Botswana offers a competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.
How to Apply
Vacancy Circular No: IRC 3436
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 and certifications are typically required for this role in Botswana?
Applicants usually need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Orientation and Mobility (O&M), Rehabilitation Sciences, or a closely related field from a recognised institution. Certification from an internationally accredited body (e.g., ACVREP) is highly preferred, and local registration with the Botswana Allied Health Professions Council (BAHPC) may be required for practice. Some employers also value prior experience working with persons with visual impairments in Botswana’s education or community settings.
What does a typical day look like for a Senior Professional Disability Support (O&M) at the University of Botswana?
Daily responsibilities include conducting individual O&M assessments, teaching cane travel and environmental navigation skills to students with visual impairments, and collaborating with lecturers and disability support staff to ensure accessible campus participation. You’ll also develop orientation plans, provide staff training on inclusive practices, and contribute to university-wide disability policy implementation. Fieldwork often occurs across campus and occasionally in nearby communities, requiring flexibility and cultural sensitivity.
How does Botswana’s work culture influence expectations for this role?
Respect for hierarchy, punctuality, and relationship-building through personal interaction are central to Botswana’s professional culture — expect regular consultation with senior staff and student stakeholders before implementing interventions. Teamwork and community-oriented approaches align strongly with both national values (e.g., Botho) and the university’s inclusive education mandate. Formal communication is valued, but informal follow-ups and mentorship of junior staff or students are also expected and appreciated.
What realistic career progression paths exist for someone in this role within Botswana’s higher education or disability sector?
With experience, professionals may advance to leadership roles such as Disability Services Coordinator or Head of Inclusive Education Unit at universities or national bodies like the Department of Social Protection. Others transition into policy advisory roles with the Ministry of Health or Botswana National Federation of Disabled People (BNFDP), or pursue academic pathways via postgraduate study and lecturing in rehabilitation disciplines. Continued professional development and local advocacy engagement significantly strengthen progression opportunities.
What benefits are typically offered for this type of role in Botswana’s public universities?
Employees generally receive full government pension scheme coverage (Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund), comprehensive medical aid through the University of Botswana Medical Aid Scheme, and 30 days of annual leave plus public holidays. Maternity and paternity leave follow national labour laws, and some allowances (e.g., transport or housing) may apply depending on grade and availability. Sick leave and compassionate leave are granted per university HR policies and aligned with the Employment Act.
How should I apply, and what do employers in Botswana specifically look for in candidates for this role?
Applications must be submitted through the University of Botswana’s official recruitment portal or as directed in the vacancy notice — unsolicited CVs are not considered. Employers prioritise demonstrable O&M field experience in Botswana or similar low-resource settings, evidence of cultural competence in working with diverse ethnic and linguistic groups, and strong references from local disability or education institutions. Fluency in English is mandatory; knowledge of Setswana is highly advantageous for effective student engagement and community liaison.