Applications are invited from suitably qualified local candidates for the following positions that are tenable in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
MINISTRY : AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
DEPARTMENT : FIELD SERVICES
TITTLE : AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANT
GRADE : D
NO.OF POSITIONS : 6
RESPONSIBLE TO : AREA EXTENSION OFFICER
DUTY STATION : THABA-TSEKA (2), MOKHOTLONG (1), BUTHA BUTHE (3),
JOB SUMMARY
UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISON OF THE AREA EXTENSION OFFICER THE INCUMBENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMUNITY CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT; TRAINING OF FARMERS; COORDINATION OF SUB-RESOURCE CENTER ACTIVITIES AND PREPARATION OF SUB-RESOURCE CENTER BUDGET.
MAIN DUTIES
1. COMMUNITY CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT
1.1 Create awareness in the designated area on the UES concept to encourage their development initiatives.
1.2 Conducts a Pitso in the designated area to explain the ALC process.
1.3 Liaises with team members to facilitate the implementation of Action Learning Cycle in order that the communities may identify and solve their problems.
1.4 Encourages coordinated action to address community issues and problems through the development of community action plans for more efficient and effective utilization of their available resources.
1.5 Supports and strengthens existing local institutions, groups and co-operatives through provision of technical expertise with the assistance of Area Technical Officer and SMS where necessary.
1.6 Develops the capacity of individual farmers to set and achieve their development goals for the betterment of their livelihoods.
1.7 Supports general agricultural development schemes/programmes in the area assigned for income generation and poverty alleviation.
1.8 Guides the community in the designated area in monitoring and evaluating their progress in the implementation of their action to ensure that they learn from their experiences.
2. TRAINING OF FARMERS
2.1 Trains farmers on specific technical issues arising from the community action plan with the assistance of Area Technical Officer and SMS where necessary in order to improve their knowledge and skills.
2.2 Encourages farmer learning through experimentation trials and demonstrations on farm to develop innovative farmer solutions to their problems.
2.3 Provides advice and general information to farmers and other stakeholders on agricultural matters to solve their problems.
2.4 Liaises with the Area Extension Officer and Technical Officer (of relevant field) in arranging study tours and farmer to farmer visits to expose to expose agricultural methods and ideas within and outside the designated area.
2.5 Promotes and trains farmer’s extension facilitators in order to equip them with knowledge and skills.
3. COORDINATION OF SUBSECTIONAL ACTIVITIES
3.1 Liaises with other sub-sectional heads with and outside the resource center to solicit support in the implementation of crops activities
3.2 Convenes monthly meetings with sub-center heads for planning and reporting in order to ensure integrated implementation of crops activities.
3.3 Liaises with stakeholders to sensitize them on sub-sectoral developments to facilitate consistency, mutual support and synchronic implementation of crops programmes.
4. PREPARATION OF SECTIONAL BUDGET
4.1 Prepares the overall sub-sectional budget annually to ensure that that all sub-sectional programs and projects are funded accordingly and implemented smoothly.
4.2 Negotiates and justifies co-operatives budget at the divisional budget discussion in order to secure the necessary funds to finance sub-sectional activities.
4.3 Recommends the review of the sub-sectional budget to the divisional head whenever the need arises to realign it with the changes in the sectional business plan to facilitate the implementation of the critical programs and activities within the section.
COMPENSABLE FACTORS
JOB SPECIFICATION
Education and training
• Certificate in General Agriculture/ Nutrition & Home Economics/ Agricultural Mechanization
Other necessary Knowledge and skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Conflict management skills
• Analysis skills
• Training Skills
5. RESPONSIBILITY
5.1 For work of others
The incumbent will be responsible for the work of Livestock Attends, Field Attendants, Wool Classers, Field recorders, Grazing Control Supervisors, Forest Rangers, Stud grooms, Pack grooms, Farriers, Gabion Builders and stockmen.
5.2 For property
The incumbent is responsible for proper utilization and safekeeping of his or her office furniture and equipment.
CONTACTS
The incumbent comes into contacts with the following officers/offices during the execution of duties:
| OFFICERS/OFFICES | REASON | FREQUENCY |
| Local Authorities | Discussion on all aspects related to Agriculture | Monthly |
| Supervisees | Reporting and planning | Monthly |
| Supervisees | Progress review | Quarterly |
| Supervisees | Performance Appraisal | Annually |
| Supervisor | Reporting and planning | Monthly |
| Supervisor | Progress Review | Quarterly |
| Supervisor | Performance Appraisal | Annually |
| District Field Staff | Training and guidance | As Required |
| Other Sectional Heads | Integrated implementation of activities | As required |
| Farmers and communities | Facilitation of farmers and communal programmes and projects; and provision of training programmes. | As required |
6. EFFORT
7.1 Mental Effort
The Job involves the following:
o Conflict resolution
o Interpretation and analysis
7.2 Physical Effort
The incumbent will be expected to use a lot of physical effort during demonstrations such as castrating and de-horning.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Unfavourable working conditions The job requires the incumbent to occasionally work beyond normal working hours, during weekends and on public holidays. He or she will walk long distances on foot and be exposed to extreme heat, cold and rains during campaigns.
Applications on relevant forms, (obtainable from the Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security), GP 104 for serving officers and GP 103 for job seekers duly accompanied by certified copies of educational certificates, transcripts, National Identity Document and up-to-date performance appraisal forms for serving officers.
All applications must be addressed to:
The Director of Human Resources
Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security P.O. Box 24
Maseru – 100
Not later than the 20TH December, 2021 before 12:00 noon.