MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
CIRCULAR NO. 2 OF 2025
Reference: AG/CIR/2
Applications are invited from suitably qualified local candidates for the following position tenable in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition:
MINISTRY: Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition
DEPARTMENT: Field Services
TITLE: Area Technical Officer (Nutrition)
GRADE: E
RESPONSIBLE TO: Area Extension Officer
LOCATION: Maseru (2) & Mohale’s Hoek (1)
NO. OF POSITIONS: Three (3)
JOB SUMMARY
Under the general supervision of the Area Extension Officer, the incumbent is responsible for facilitating the identification and prioritisation of community problems through ALC; development and implementation of community action plans; information dissemination; preparation of sub-sectional budgets; and coordination of sub-sectional activities.
MAIN DUTIES
1. Facilitation of Identification and Prioritisation of Community Problems through ALC
- Conducts campaigns on nutrition and home economics issues
- Guides communities in identifying and prioritising their problems
- Assists communities in analysing underlying causes of their problems
2. Development of Community Action Plan
- Provides information on nutrition and home economics technologies
- Guides development of community action plans defining roles, responsibilities, and targets
3. Facilitation of Implementation of Community Action Plan
- Produces nutritionally balanced recipes
- Modifies local recipes to improve palatability and nutritive value
- Conducts demonstrations to promote recipe consumption
- Converts measurements for local use
- Provides technical expertise in food technology for household food security
4. Promotion of Income Generating Activities
- Sensitises communities on local business opportunities
- Promotes use of locally available resources
- Conducts market research
- Trains groups in developing market offers with unique selling propositions
5. Information Dissemination
- Participates in radio programme preparation
- Sensitises communities on nutritional threats
- Monitors discharged malnourished children and educates parents
- Educates mothers on balanced diets and breastfeeding management
- Designs teaching aids for agricultural facilitators
6. Preparation of Sectional Budget
- Prepares annual sectional budget
- Negotiates and justifies budget during divisional discussions
- Recommends budget reviews to align with business plans
7. Coordination of Sub-Sectional Activities
- Liaises with sub-sectional heads and stakeholders
- Convenes monthly planning and reporting meetings
- Ensures integrated implementation of crops activities
COMPENSABLE FACTORS
1. Job Specification
Education and Training Requirements
- Diploma in Nutrition and Home Economics
OR - Diploma in Nutrition and Home Economics Education
OR - Certificate in Nutrition and Home Economics
Experience
- Three (3) years of work experience for Certificate holders in nutrition and home economics-related activities
Other Necessary Knowledge and Skills
- Computer literacy
- Leadership skills
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Conflict management skills
- Extension methods skills
- Technical reporting and writing skills
- Training skills
2. Responsibility
- For Work of Others: Not applicable
- For Property: Responsible for safekeeping and proper use of nutrition and home economics equipment, residential and office furniture
- For Budget and Finance: Responsible for development of sectional budget
- For Safety of Others: Not applicable
- For Effect of Errors: Responsible for work-related errors due to negligence
3. Complexity
- Authority for Decision-Making: Not applicable
- Problem Solving: Resolves disputes among communities and Nutrition Officers
- Supervision Received: Works independently and reports monthly to supervisor
- Dexterity: Minimal
4. Contacts
- Chiefs, Agricultural Assistants, Community Councils: Coordination of activities (as required)
- Area Extension Officer: Progress review (quarterly), performance appraisal (annually), reporting and planning (monthly)
- Area Technical Officers, Subject Matter Specialists, NGOs: Coordination of activities (as required)
5. Effort
- Mental Effort: Interpretation of recipes and pattern designing
- Physical Effort: May be required during execution of duties
- Emotional Effort: Requires patience, tolerance, and understanding during conflict resolution and community interaction
6. Working Conditions
- Unfavourable Conditions: May work beyond normal hours, weekends, and public holidays; may walk long distances and be exposed to extreme weather
- Hazards: Risk of physical harm from activities and snakebites during household visits
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications must be submitted on relevant forms:
- GP 104 for serving officers
- GP 103 for job seekers
Applications must be accompanied by:
- Certified copies of educational certificates and transcripts
- Certified copy of National Identity Document
- Up-to-date performance appraisal forms (for serving officers)
Submission Address:
The Director Human Resources
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition
P.O. Box 24
Maseru 100
Deadline: Not later than 19th September 2025