MANAGER REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION – GENERAL EDUCATION (GE) wanted at Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA)

Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Tertiary Education Research Science and Technology. It draws its mandate from the BQA Act No.24 of 2013. Its main objectives are to provide for and maintain the National Credit and Qualifications Framework (NCQF) and to coordinate the Education, Training and Skills Development Quality Assurance System. BQA invites applications from qualified candidates to fill the following positions:

MANAGER REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION – GENERAL EDUCATION (GE)

Job Summary:

To plan, manage and coordinate the registration and accreditation of education and training providers (ETPs), awarding bodies, and the accreditation of learning programmes for the General Education (GE) sub sector of the economy in accordance with the Botswana Qualifications Authority Act and other regulatory instruments .To promote the delivery of quality, competitive and internationally recognised education to meet the socio, economic needs of Botswana.

Main Duties:

Divisional Strategies, Policies and Leadership

1. Formulates strategies and systems for registration and accreditation of ETPs, and for accreditation of learning programmes in the General Education sub system of the economy ensuring they meet the requirements of the relevant legislation and BQA corporate objectives and values, for approval by the Director Quality Assurance.
2. Develops, reviews and implements cost effective and value driven systems, standards, procedures, guidelines and instruments that will lead to effective regulation of GE ETPs, and awarding bodies to enhance the quality, competitiveness and international recognition of Botswana’s general education.
3. Plans the division’s activities and maintains direct oversight on its operations while maintaining overall accountability.
4. Provides professional inputs and makes technical recommendations on all matters relating to GE registration and accreditation.
5. Represents the BQA, as assigned by the Head of Department, at local, national, regional and international seminars and meetings related to the registration and accreditation.

Registration and Accreditation

1. Develops, establishes and manages the implementation of processing, guidelines, instruments and criteria for registration and accreditation in accordance with NCQF, and ascertains adherence thereto.
2. Trains and ensures that the division’s staff are informed and trained.
3. Reviews, coordinates and leads the effective and efficient processing and evaluation of applications for registration and accreditation received from training providers, moderators and awarding bodies, ensuring compliance to BQA standards, regulatory requirements and criteria.
4. Manages the accreditation of learning programs that may be offered or delivered by registered and accredited education and training providers in accordance with the NCQF and other relevant legislation and therefore ensuring that nationally approved standards for GE are met. Ensures that all accredited learning programmes meet the needs of industry.
5. Ensures that registration and accreditation functions are carried out in an objective manner.
6. Manages and ascertains the effective use of and reference to regulatory instruments including the NCQF in the registrations and accreditation functions.
7. Reviews and submits regular registration and accreditation reports to the Director Quality Assurance, Deputy CEO and CEO.

Registration and Accreditation Appeals

1. Reviews and processes registration and accreditation appeals from ETPs and awarding bodies in accordance with the provisions of the BQA Act and subsidiary legislation.
2. Ascertains that case files for appeals are prepared, documented and submitted to the Appeals Committees in a timely manner for investigation / redress.

Capacity Building of Registered Education and Training Providers, Awarding Bodies and Experts

1. Recommends appropriate actions to promote compliance of GE education providers with relevant framework and legislation.
2. Oversees the selection of experts to assist the BQA in processing of registration and accreditation applications by formulating selection criteria and ensuring adherence thereto
3. Oversees and ensures that experts are inducted and fully understanding registration and accreditation standards, guidelines and criteria

Renewal and Revocation of Registration and Accreditation

1. Manages and leads the processing of applications for renewal of registration and accreditation from ETPs, awarding bodies by reviewing preliminary screening reports by Registration and Accreditation Officers to ensure compliance with relevant regulations, procedures and guidelines.
2. Manages and leads the processing of applications for renewal of accreditation of learning programmes from accredited ETPs by reviewing reports from Registration and Accreditation Officers to determine compliance with relevant regulations, procedures and guidelines.
3. Oversees, directs and ensures timely issuing of response to ETPs, awarding bodies, regarding the status of their applications and the decision of the Board Quality Assurance Committee.

Registration and Accreditation Records and Reporting

1. Reviews and validates periodic reports submitted by Registration and Accreditations officers and engages them on operational issues and challenges raised in the reports, with a view to enhancing the department’s performance and attainment of its mandate. Consolidates and submits registration and accreditation reports to the Director Quality Assurance, Deputy CEO and CEO.
2. Prepares quarterly and annual reports on the implementation, successes and challenges of the division, with detailed and sound analysis and recommendations, and submits them to Director Quality Assurance.

People Management

1. Participates in the recruitment and on-boarding of the staff of the division.
2. Manages and ensures that team members have performance contracts, and that performance assessment are done in accordance with BQA PMS system and agreed schedules.
3. Monitors the performance of the division and ensures that all team members meet or exceed their performance contracts.
4. Resolves disciplinary and grievance issues in accordance with Botswana labour legislation

and BQA disciplinary codes and best practice.

1. Demonstrates commitment to the transformation of BQA into a high performing organization by ensuring the division’s contribution to cross functional work teams as and when required, and reflecting the Authority’s vision, mission and values in daily wok and interactions.

Key Performance Indicators

• Availability of effective divisional policies, systems, processes, guidelines and controls.
• Quality and timeliness of technical advice.
• Compliance with NCQF and other legislative requirements.
• Maintenance of quality education standards in the general education sub sector.
• Understanding of registration and accreditation standards, regulations and criteria by experts and compliance thereto.
• Quality and timeliness of reports.
• Members of the unit meet or exceed their performance targets.
• Disciplined and engaged staff.
• Portrayal of BQA values.
• Compliance to the Authority’s SHEQ policies, procedures and standards.
• Timeliness and effectiveness of corrective and preventative measures.

Position Requirements:

Education:

• At least a Master’s Degree in Education from a recognised institution or any other equivalent qualification acceptable to BQA.
• Certification and working knowledge and and/or experience in NQF systems would be an added advantage.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in quality assurance within an education and training environment, including a minimum of 3 years in a supervisory position.

Required Competencies:

• Knowledge of the provisions of the National Credit and Qualifications Framework.
• Knowledge of the General Education and Training subsystem (including

policies/strategies) in Botswana.

• Knowledge of relevant legislations and regulations governing the sector.
• Thorough knowledge of methodologies of quality assurance and standards
• Knowledge of registration and accreditation
• Computer literate. Experience with systems and applications in the specific work area.

Other competencies

Team building, leadership and motivation

People management and interpersonal skills

Planning, organising, budgeting and resource management

• Results oriented and performance driven
• Service oriented and client focus
• Creativity, innovation, flexibility and analytical thinking
• Communication, influence, impact, and relationship building
• Great attention to detail
• Decisiveness and assertiveness
• Emotional Intelligence