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
TITLE : AREA TECHNICAL OFFICER – (Crops)
GRADE : E
NO. OF POSITIONS : 3
RESPONSIBLE TO : AREA EXTENSION OFFICER
LOCATION : MOHALE’S HOEK, THABA-TSEKA & MOKHOTLONG
JOB SUMMARY
UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISON OF AREA EXTENSION OFFICER, THE INCUMBENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FACILIATTION OF IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITIZATION OF COMMUNITY PROBLEMS THROUGH ALC, DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN, INFORMATION DISSERMINATION, PREPARATION OF SUB- SECTIONAL BUDGET, COORDINATION OF SUB-SECTIONAL ACTIVITIES.
MAIN DUTIES
1. FACILITATION OF IDENTIFICTION AND PRIORITISATION OF COMMUNITY PROBLEMS THROUGH ALC.
1.1 Guides the farming community in identifying their own problems to provide a basis for their own development programmes.
1.2 Guides the farming community in prioritizing problems to give focus to their efforts.
1.3 Guides the farming community in analyzing their prioritized problems so as to identify the underlying causes to the problems.
2. DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN
2.1 Provides information on crop production technologies to assist the community in finding solutions to their problems.
2.2 Guides the development of the community action plan in order to define roles, responsibilities and targets.
3. FACILITATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN
3.1 Advises farmers on simple trial methods on crop production for “learning-by-doing” in order to identify the best solutions to the problem.
3.2 Trains farmers in liaison with SMS on a appropriate crop production techniques (field crops, horticulture) as identified
3.3 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.
3.4 Promotes and trains farmer’s extension facilitators in order to equip them with knowledge and skills.
4. COORDINTION OF SUBSECTIONAL ACTIVITIES
4.1 Liaises with other sub-sectional heads with and outside the resource center to solicit support in the implementation of crops activities
4.2 Convenes monthly meetings with sub-center heads for planning and reporting in order to ensure integrated implementation of crops activities.
4.3 Liaises with stakeholders to sensitize them on sub-sectoral developments to facilitate consistency, mutual support and synchronic implementation of crops programmes.
5. PREPARATION OF SECTIONAL BUDGET
5.1 Prepares the overall sub-sectional budget annually to ensure that that all sub-sectional programs and projects are funded accordingly and implemented smoothly.
5.2 Negotiates and justifies co-operatives budget at the divisional budget discussion in order to secure the necessary funds to finance sub-sectional activities.
5.3 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.
COMPANSABLE FACTORS
1. JOB SPECIFICATION
1.1 Education and training
– Diploma in General Agriculture/ Diploma in Agricultural Education
OR
– Certificate in General Agriculture
1.2 Experience
– Three years working experience for certificate holders
1.3 Other necessary Knowledge and skills
– Good interpersonal and communication skills
– Conflict management skills
– Interpretation and analysis skills
– Training Skills
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.