Manager, Faculty Shared Services and Equipment

FACULTY OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES VACANCY No.: IRC 3504 The University of Botswana (UB), a premier state-owned tertiary institution dedicated to shaping the future through excellence, research, innovation and meaningful societal impact, invites applications from accomplished and suitably qualified professionals for the position of Manager: Faculty Shared Services and Equipment in the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences. The Manager: Faculty Shared Services and Equipment is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the effective management, utilisation and development of shared services, laboratory facilities and equipment across the Faculty. The role supports teaching, research and engagement, leads the development of quality-managed and accredited laboratory services, and expands sustainable revenue-generating services for internal and external clients.

Job Summary

• Employer: University of Botswana
• Job Type: Full-time
• Location: Gaborone, Botswana
• Category: Laboratory Management
• Salary: competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Closing Date: 2026-11-23

Key Responsibilities

• Resource Optimisation: Develop and implement systems for the optimal allocation, scheduling, sharing, maintenance and lifecycle management of laboratory facilities, equipment and technical services. Maintain an accurate asset and service inventory; monitor utilisation, downtime and service quality; coordinate calibration, preventive maintenance, repairs, procurement and replacement planning; and promote cross-disciplinary use of shared resources in support of teaching, research and engagement;
• Revenue Generation: Identify, develop and market commercially viable laboratory tests, calibration and technical services for external clients. Lead market assessments, business cases, service costing, pricing and revenue-sharing models; establish cost-recovery and income targets; develop proposals, contracts, sponsorships and industry partnerships; monitor revenue performance; and reinvest strategically in laboratory capability, accreditation and service expansion;
• Laboratory Accreditation and Service Development: Lead the preparation, implementation and maintenance of accreditation for selected testing and calibration services in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017. Coordinate the selection and expansion of accreditation scopes, method verification and validation, measurement uncertainty, metrological traceability, equipment calibration, quality control, proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparisons, reference materials, technical records and reporting of valid results;
• Customer and Stakeholder Experience: Establish clear service standards, turnaround times and client communication processes; ensure timely resolution of enquiries and complaints; measure customer satisfaction; and maintain constructive relationships with academic departments, students, researchers, industry, government, regulators, accreditation bodies, suppliers, partners and other relevant stakeholders;
• People Management: Supervise, guide and develop administrative and technical staff; define responsibilities and performance expectations; ensure appropriate competence, training and authorisation of personnel undertaking laboratory activities; promote accountability, teamwork and service excellence; and manage employee performance in accordance with University policies and applicable labour requirements;
• Financial Management: Develop and manage the unit budget; forecast the full costs of operating shared facilities; plan for calibration, maintenance, proficiency testing, consumables, quality assurance and capital replacement; recommend expenditure within delegated authority; monitor income and expenditure; and ensure transparent, sustainable financial management of shared services;
• Risk Management and Compliance: Develop and maintain the unit risk register and mitigation plans covering safety, equipment failure, service continuity, data integrity, impartiality, confidentiality and financial exposure. Lead compliance with relevant statutory, regulatory, University and accreditation requirements; coordinate internal audits, management reviews, corrective actions and closure of audit or assessment findings; and apply related quality, occupational health and safety, environmental and biorisk management standards where applicable;
• Strategy, Performance and Continuous Improvement: Contribute to University and Faculty strategies, policies and procedures; develop and implement unit plans; establish key performance indicators for resource utilisation, downtime, accreditation, revenue, customer satisfaction, financial performance and compliance; report periodi…