MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRY
CIRCULAR NOTICE NO.1 OF 2026
MEF/CIRC/1
APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FROM SUITABLY QUALIFIED LOCAL CANDIDATES FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRY.
[4] POSITION DETAILS
POSITION: CHIEF CONSERVATION OFFICER
DEPARTMENT: SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
GRADE: I
NO. OF POSITIONS: ONE (1)
RESPONSIBLE TO: DIRECTOR CONSERVATION
LOCATION: MASERU
JOB SUMMARY
Under General Supervision of The Director Of Soil and Water Conservation, The Chief Conservation Officer Will Be Responsible For Development and Review of Soil and Water Conservation Policy; Planning and Organization of Soil Survey and Classification Activities; Preparation of Soil and Water Conservation activities and Supervision and Training of Staff; Implementation of Soil and Water Conservation Policy.
MAIN DUTIES
1. DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEWING OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION POLICY
1.1 Facilitates preparation and review of soil and water conservation policy drafts for ultimate consideration of the head department for guidance in the overall implementation of soil water conservation activities.
1.2 Monitor the performance of the soil water and water conservation policy and adherence to its principles and guidelines.
1.3 Facilitate and recommend its review and realignment to the changing environment conditions.
2. PLANNING AND ORGANISATION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
2.1 Prepares an integrated divisional plan for soil and water conservation to provide a long-term vision and to guide implementation of key activities.
2.2 Consolidates annual divisional work plans for integration into the Department annual work plan to enable the implementation of soil and water conservation activities.
2.3 Integrates the development of new programs and project proposals into the annual work plan for increased efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness of ongoing soil and water conservation programs.
2.4 Prepares the divisional plan in order to revitalize the divisional efforts, operations and strategic direction as well as organizational structure for increased dynamism, efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness.
3. DIVISIONAL BUDGET PREPARATION
3.1 Provide guidance on the development of the Departmental workplan and budget for consideration by the Director Soil and Water Conservation.
3.2 Interprets the budgetary guidelines developed by the office of the Director to the sectional heads and instructs them to prepare their sectional budget in accordance with their annual work plans, on annual basis, to facilitate timely completion of divisional budget preparation.
3.3 Compiles sectional budget into divisional budget for integration and inclusion into the Departmental budget.
3.4 Monitors the implementation of the divisional budgets in adherence to the Departmental budget has been prepared to ensure that it relates with both the divisional work plans and the set budgetary guidelines.
3.5 Verifies and recommends requisitions for expenditure by heads of sections for onward transmission to and consideration of the Director of Soil and Water Conservation.
3.6 Recommends adjustments and revisions on the approved divisional budget to the Director of Soil and Water Conservation in order to accommodate changes in the divisional work plan.
4. DEVELOPMENT AND SUPERVISION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
4.1 Develops operational guidelines for proper and efficient unitization of land management resources as well as divisional operational facilities and equipment in order to ensure that they are used accountably and to their full potential.
4.2 Monitors and evaluates land management programs of individuals and organizations (outside the civil services) prepared in conformity with soil surveys and classification (suitability and capability) strategy in order to avoid deviations from conservation norms and practices.
4.3 Monitors the performance of developed operational guidelines for proper utilization of soil and water conservation resources as well as the divisional operational facilities and equipment and adherent to them in order to determine their continuity or abolition.
5. IMPLEMENTATION OF SOIL SURVEY AND CLASSIFICATION ACTIVITIES
5.1 Interprets the soil survey and classification information to the sectional heads and non-governmental organizations to ensure that it is commonly understood and adherent to.
5.2 Conducts workshop and meeting for soil and water conservation staff to facilitate the implementation of land management activities.
5.3 Provides support to individual farmers undertaking conservation activities to promote community participation on land rehabilitation.
6. COORDINATION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
6.1 Liaises with the District Coordinators to ensure an integrated and common understanding in implementation of land rehabilitation programs and soil and water conservation activities in the districts.
6.2 Liaises with heads of divisions within and outside Department of Soil and Water Conservation to ensure integration of conservation programs and activities that can be jointly undertaken and or implemented.
6.3 Liaises with NGO’s in consultative meetings, seminars and conferences in order to set standards and terminology to harmonize implementation of soil survey and classification activities and land use zoning as well as to avoid duplication of efforts.
6.4 Participates and represents the Ministry of Environment and Forestry at regional and international meetings within and outside the country to ensure the considerate integration of the prevailing geographic conditions of Lesotho to enable the implementation of Soil and Water Conservation programs and activities which conforms to both regional international standards and practices.
7. SUPERVISION OF STAFF
7.1 Conducts technical quarterly meetings with heads of sections within the Division in order to review progress.
7.2 Conduct individual review meetings for quarterly and annual performance appraisal meetings to review progress.
7.3 Monitors frequently individual performance of sectional needs to detect problems that may hinder progress so as to provide the necessary support.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Master’s degree in Soil Science, Natural Sciences plus three years (3) working experience in the conservation field.
OR
Degree in Soil Science, Natural Sciences plus five years (5) working experience in the conservation field.
OTHER NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Computer literacy in GIS and statistical Analysis
- Good Knowledge of Soil Taxonomy
- Good administrative and leadership skills
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Good map reading skills
APPLICATION DETAILS
Applications on relevant Forms, GP 103 for non-serving officers and GP 104 for serving officers, accompanied by curriculum vitae, certified copies of educational certificates and transcripts should be addressed to:
THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRY
P.O. BOX 10993
MASERU 100
OR
Hand delivered to the Human Resources Offices at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry at Thaba Bosiu Building, Industrial Area or Post Office Building, 6th Floor.
Only shortlisted applications shall all undergo a competency assessment facilitated by the Assessment Centre (Ministry of Public Service) or Drivers Assessment, where applicable.
Applications should be handed in not later than 20th February, 2026.