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?

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


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