Area Technical Officer (Irrigation) x3

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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 & FOOD SECURITY

DEPARTMENT             : FIELD SERVICES

SECTION                     : RESOURCE CENTER

TITLE                         : AREA TECHNICAL OFFICER (IRIGATION)

GRADE                       : E

NO. OF POSITIONS      : 3

LOCATION                  : MOKHOTLONG, LERIBE & MASERU

JOB SUMMARY

UNDER   THE   GENERAL   SUPERVISION   OF   AREA   EXTENSION OFFICER, THE INCUMBENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FACILITATION OF   IDENTIFICATION   AND   PRIORITISATION   OF   COMMUNITY PROBLEMS  THROUGH  ALC;  DEVELOPMENT  OF  COMMUNITY ACTION  PLAN;  FACILITATION  OF  THE  IMPLEMENTATION  OF COMMUNITY   ACTION   PLAN;   INFORMATION   DISSEMINATION; PREPARATION OF SUB-SECTIONAL BUDGET AND COORDINATION OF SUB-SECTIONAL ACTIVITIES.

MAIN DUTIES

1.  FACILITATION OF IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITISATION OF COMMUNITY PROBLEMS THROUGH ALC.

1.1     Conducts  campaigns  pertaining  to  specific  irrigation issues to create  public awareness.

1.2     Guides the community in identifying their own problems to provide a basis for their own development programmes.

1.3     Guides the communities in prioritizing their problems to give focus to their efforts.

1.4     Guides the communities in analyzing their prioritized problems so as to identify the underlying causes to their problems.

2.  DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN

2.1     Provides information on irrigation techniques 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     Creates awareness on the importance of irrigation in the designated area to enhance agricultural productivity.

3.2     Advises   farmers   on   simple   irrigation   methods   for learning-by-doing in order to identify the best solution to the problems.

3.3     Trains farmers on appropriate irrigation techniques as identified by them in their community action plan to improve their skills.

3.4     Conducts  study  tours  and  farmer-to-farmer  visits  to expose them to new and different irrigation methods and
ideas.

3.5     Guides the community to monitor and evaluate their progress in implementation of their action plan to ensure that they learn from their experiences in the designated area.

4 DEVELOPMENT OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

4.1    Guides the community in identifying the appropriate site for the sustainable irrigation system,

4.2     Surveys the identified site to facilitate systems designs,

4.3     Develops topographic maps to design the system appropriate for the proposed area to detail.

4.4     Provides guidance in the acquisition of appropriate irrigation equipment for the specified and recommended irrigation methods to facilitate implementation of the planned activities.

4.5     Provides technical expertise on the installation of the system to ensure that there are no deviations from the set specifications and standards.

4.6     Guides in the testing of the system to ensure that it

operates accordingly.

4.7     Conducts on site demonstrations on the proper operation of the system and precautionary measures to be taken for its sustainability.

5 INFORMATION DISSEMINATION

5.1     Trains   systems   owners   on   proper   use,   care   and  maintenance of the system for its prolonged lifespan.

5.2     Develops   simplified   operation   manuals   for   ease   of reference for the system owner.

6. PREPARATION OF THE SECTIONAL BUDGET

6.1    Negotiates and justifies the horticultural crop research budget at the divisional budget discussions in order to secure  the   necessary  funds  to   finance  sectional activities.

6.2     Recommends the review of the 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

7. COORDINATION OF SUB SECTIONAL ACTIVITIES

7.1     Liaises with other sub-sectional heads within and outside the resource centre to solicit support in the implementation of crops activities.

7.2     Convenes monthly meetings with sub-centre heads for planning and reporting in order to ensure integrated implementation of crops activities.

7.3     Liaises with stakeholders to sensitise them on sub-
          sectoral    developments    to    facilitate    consistency, mutual support and synchronic implementation of crops programmes.

JOB SPECIFICATION

•   Diploma in General Agriculture/ Irrigation Related Field

OR

•   Certificate in General Agriculture/ Irrigation Related Field PLUS three  years (3)  working  experience  for  Certificate  holders  in Agriculture related field.

Knowledge of water management will be an added advantage

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.

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