SPECIAL NEEDS OFFICER – Botswana Examinations Council

VACANCY 

Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) is mandated under Section 5 of the Botswana Examinations Council Act CAP 58:03 (as Amended by BEC Amendment Act No. 19 of 2020) to manage and conduct examinations and assessment in general education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). BEC has developed a new strategy and consequently, a new structure that is aligned to the strategy. The organization wishes to attract into the following positions, results oriented professionals, with solid leadership experience, who are driven by a passion for excellence.

Special Needs Officer I

Main Purpose of the Job

Assist the Executive to make all the logistical necessary arrangements in assessment centres to ensure fair treatment of candidates with special needs

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Key Performance Areas

• Check and verify all applications for special consideration, access arrangements and modified question papers
• Liaise with Relations Management to register candidates with Special Needs
• Prepare a production schedule for material printing and packaging
• Liaise with Printing and Logistics team to ensure that reasonable accommodations have been made at the level of centres for special needs candidates and that materials are despatched in a timely manner to centres
• Liaise with Assessment Design to ensure that appropriate modifications of question papers and assessment materials have been done
• Facilitate, together with the Executive, the (a) training of assessment centre personnel on the administration procedures, and (b) training of Centre Quality Assurance Officer I on centre inspection with focus on arrangements for candidates with special needs
• Keep inventory record of special needs assessment materials and equipment
• Accompany the Quality Assurance team for spot inspections of assessment centres during live examinations to ensure compliance to set procedures and regulations
• Closely monitor external service providers and report on their compliance with SLAs
• Follow security guidelines and procedures to ensure safe handling of assessment materials
• Implement guidelines, procedures and standards as they have been set, and collaborate with the Compliance/Audit/Quality team during their periodic review
• Proactively anticipate and implement alternative ways to meet commitments when unexpected events, unplanned actions, or contingencies arise
• Research and apply best practices in own specialised area of work, and maintain high level of knowledge in order to effectively undertake the duties of the post
• Perform any other duties as required by the Head and which are commensurate with the grade of the post

Qualifications and Experience

At least a Degree in Educational Management or a relevant field from a recognised institution, Professional Certification-Certification in
assessment administration for candidates with special needs. At least four (4) years’ experience post-qualification of which two (2) years
should have been at junior professional/ technician level or its equivalent.

Key Competencies

• Communication
• Interpersonal
• Networking & relationship building
• Organisational skills (planning, time management, work prioritisation)
• Research, critical thinking, analytical & problem-solvin