The Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI), a leading national organisation engaged in technology research and innovation is seeking to appoint an exceptional leader to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Job Purpose:
Reporting directly to the Board (and liaising with the Ministry of Communication and Innovation), the CEO provides overall visionary stewardship of BITRI – shaping strategy, driving organisational transformation, strengthening governance, and ensuring that research, innovation and technology outputs deliver measurable national impact. The CEO oversees executive management, human capital development, commercialisation initiatives, financial sustainability, stakeholder relations and performance delivery across the Institute.
The Job
The position will, inter alia, be responsible for the following:
- Providing strategic and operational leadership to realise BITRI’s mandate, vision, and strategic goals.
- Embedding a high-performance, values-driven culture aligned to corporate governance best practice.
- Leading and overseeing research, innovation, technology development and technology transfer to ensure R&D outputs align with national priorities and are commercialised effectively.
- Ensuring prudent resource management and driving financial sustainability through revenue generation, donor funding, and efficient use of human, financial and technological resources.
- Developing, promoting and implementing BITRI’s commercialisation strategy.
- Building and sustaining strategic partnerships with Government, industry, academia, donors, international research organisations and networks.
- Strengthening stakeholder relations and reporting to the Board, Ministry and other key stakeholders on institutional performance, impact and R&D outcomes.
- Leading organisational modernisation, digitalisation, cultural change and business transformation.
- Providing high-quality support to the Board, including secretariat oversight, implementation of Board decisions, and provision of timely technical advice.
- Managing and developing BITRI’s human capital; coaching senior executives; promoting cross-functional integration and multidisciplinary collaboration.
The Person
The right candidate will possess the following:
- A PhD in Science, Engineering, Technology, Innovation, OR a Master’s Degree in Business Management or related field.
- PhD holders: Minimum 7 years’ post-qualification experience, including at least 2 years in an executive leadership role.
- Master’s Degree holders: Minimum 10 years’ post-qualification experience, including at least 5 years in an executive leadership role.
- A proven track record of developing, leading and delivering transformative organisational strategies resulting in measurable growth and renewal.
- Demonstrated experience in digitalisation, driving technology-enabled transformation and enhancing operational efficiency.
- Proven ability to mobilise financial resources, attract donor funding, and build business or investment partnerships to support organisational sustainability.
- Experience in technology transfer, commercialisation, intellectual property management and strategic partnerships across industry, academia and international collaborators.
To apply in confidence, please visit www.peopleconnections.co.bw. Applicants should submit a Cover Letter, Detailed Curriculum Vitae, and Academic Certificates. Application documents should be in .pdf format and merged.
Closing Date: 9 December 2025 Location: Gaborone, Botswana
For enquiries: Contact 3975917 / 3915503
