Gaborone - Post Report Question and Answers
What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Most spouses are able to work at the embassy if they wish to do so. Plenty of jobs, but most are FP-07 at best. Occasional EPAP positions. Working locally is technically possible, but work permits can take a long time and local salaries aren't usually worth it. A handful of local NGOs and international NGOs with local offices. One spouse that I know of was able to work at the local UN office. Some have been able to telework. - Aug 2024
Teleworking is hard because of the unreliable internet. Several spouses work as teachers. Some EFMs work in the Embassy but the security clearance takes such a long time that they get demoralized. - Dec 2023
All the spouses either worked remotely (difficult with the internet) or for the Embassy. - Jul 2019
Local employment outside the embassy is pretty rare. There are a few EFM jobs with the US Embassy, but not enough.
People who have their own internet-based businesses have suffered with the poor quality of the local internet services. - Apr 2017
Spousal employment is virtually impossible. It is extremely hard to work on the local economy without some kind of "in." If your spouse is employed at a diplomatic mission and you have an "exemption" from work/residence permits, it's much easier. Without that, I've heard of spouses being unable to find even volunteer work. The U.S. Embassy has several good, substantive jobs for spouses. - Jul 2016
No. But there are some decent embassy jobs. - Mar 2015
Nope. Botswana is revoking work permits for expats in order to give those jobs to locals... So don''t even think about it. - Oct 2014
N/A. If you work in healthcare or edcuation there might be some opportunities. Some of the international corporations may have some as well...but I am not sure about the bilateral work agreements. - Nov 2013
A few, but becoming increasingly difficult as the government of Botswana seems to be limiting the availability of work permits and licenses. - Jul 2013
No, and it is getting harder and harder to get work permits. - Apr 2013
Botswana is trying to make sure that there are plenty of opportunities for its own well-trained citizens. This has lead to protectionist policies that can make it hard for some expatsto find work. But with that said, there are opportunities, and with a bit of persistence jobs can be found for well trained candidates. Best prospects are teaching at international-caliber schools or the University, or work with one of the many development organizations here helping with the HIV/AIDS crisis. - Jun 2010
