Job Description (JD)
| Job Title: | Quality Assurance/Planning Assistant | ||
| Grade: | 9.1 | Monthly salary including allowances: | D23, 000 to D25, 000 per month |
| Contract Type: | Contract | ||
| Direct report: | Director of Planning and Quality Assurance | ||
The Organisation
Established in 1999, the University of The Gambia (UTG) is a growing and dynamic university committed to supporting the socio-economic and environmental transformation of The Gambia and the sub-region through relevant and high-quality education to respond to the Gambia’s National Development Agenda, the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
UTG offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including doctorate programmes in key areas central to the national, regional, and continental development needs of Africa. With several campuses in Banjul, Kanifing, Brikama, Faraba and Farafenni, UTG provides access to higher education to about 7,000 students, including international students every year.
The Directorate of Planning and Quality Assurance (DPQA)
The Directorate of Planning and Quality Assurance (DPQA) is one of the University’s central support units responsible for ensuring academic excellence, institutional accountability, and sustainable development. Its mandate covers the following key areas:
- Planning: Coordinating strategic and operational planning processes, including data-driven decision-making, institutional performance monitoring, and policy implementation.
- Quality Assurance: Overseeing the evaluation of teaching, learning, and research standards to ensure continuous improvement and compliance with national and international higher education benchmarks.
- Policy Development: Supporting the formulation, review, and implementation of institutional policies that promote good governance, accountability, and service delivery.
- Innovation and Technology: Promoting digital transformation in academic and administrative operations, including electronic course evaluations, data management, and performance monitoring systems.
The Directorate collaborates with academic faculties, administrative units, NAQAA, the line ministry, government agencies, and external partners to uphold UTG’s reputation for quality and institutional efficiency.
Job Overview
The Quality Assurance/Planning Assistant will play a key role in supporting the DPQA’s efforts to enhance teaching, learning, and research standards across the University. The role involves administrative, analytical, and technical responsibilities that contribute to effective planning, data management, and quality assurance operations.
The post holder will:
- Support the day-to-day operations of the Directorate by providing administrative, technical, and analytical assistance.
- Contribute to the development, implementation, and enhancement of quality assurance systems, including course and programme reviews.
- Support data management processes that facilitate institutional planning, resource allocation, and evidence-based decision-making.
- Work collaboratively with academic and administrative units to ensure compliance with university and accreditation standards.
This position is best suited for a motivated and detail-oriented professional with strong IT and data management skills, combined with excellent communication, teamwork, and organizational abilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Administrative and Technical Support: Assist the Director in daily operations, including correspondence, report preparation, meeting coordination, and record management.
- Academic Standards Monitoring: Support the approval, evaluation, and periodic review of academic programmes to ensure alignment with national and international benchmarks.
- Data Management: Maintain and update databases on student enrolment, staff workload, programme reviews, and performance indicators, ensuring data accuracy and confidentiality.
- Reporting: Prepare evidence-based reports on teaching, learning, research, and institutional performance for management, council, and external stakeholders.
- Lecturer Services: Track course allocations, teaching loads, adjunct/overload payments, and other lecturer-related matters in collaboration with relevant offices.
- Policy Implementation: Assist in the dissemination and monitoring of compliance with UTG’s academic and administrative policies.
- Communication and Training: Serve as a liaison between the DPQA and other units; organize workshops, seminars, and training sessions related to quality assurance and planning.
- Continuous Improvement: Identify process gaps and propose practical solutions to strengthen institutional planning and quality assurance frameworks.
Person Specification – Quality Assurance/Planning Assistant
| Description | Essential | Desirable | |
| Qualifications | Good undergraduate degree (Upper Second Class or higher) in Statistics, Mathematics, or Computer Science. | ||
| Additional training or certification in Quality Assurance, Higher Education Management, Data Analytics, or Project Planning. | ✓ | ||
| Knowledge, experience, and expertise | Experience in strategic and operational planning and quality assurance management in a university or similar institution. | ✓ | |
| b) Strong IT proficiency with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as experience in database management and data visualization tools. | ✓ | ||
| c) Experience working in higher education institutions, particularly in planning, quality assurance, or data management roles. | ✓ | ||
| Familiarity with higher education policies, accreditation standards, and quality assurance frameworks. | ✓ | ||
| Experience in collaborative, interdisciplinary, and multicultural environments. | ✓ | ||
| Skills and values | Excellent written and oral communication skills for report writing, policy drafting, and stakeholder engagement. | ✓ | |
| Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with keen attention to detail. | ✓ | ||
| Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities,, and meet deadlines under pressure. | ✓ | ||
| High level of integrity, professionalism, and adherence to ethical standards. | ✓ | ||
| Team-oriented mindset and commitment to continuous learning and institutional excellence. | ✓ |