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 and Nutrition
DEPARTMENT: Administration
JOB TITLE: Chief Legal Officer
GRADE: I
RESPONSIBLE TO: Director Legal
LOCATION: Maseru
NO. OF POSITIONS: One (1)
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB
Under the general supervision of the Director Legal, the Chief Legal Officer will provide legal advice to Heads of Departments on matters bearing juristic nature and requiring legal opinion.
MAIN DUTIES
1. Legal Advisory Services
- Tenders legal advice to the Principal Secretary and all ministry departments
- Analyses legal advice requests from management and departments
- Implements management decisions
- Conducts research on identified legal issues
2. Drafting Public Service Legislation
- Coordinates consultations with relevant ministries/departments
- Provides drafting instructions to the Law Office
- Follows up on the drafting of the Bill
- Drafts letters of concurrence from relevant ministries
- Checks and approves Cabinet Memoranda
3. Drafting Contracts and Agreements
- Participates in contract/agreement discussion forums
- Checks and approves contract/agreement drafts
- Adds comments to contracts/agreements
4. Litigation Coordination
- Analyses the nature of cases
- Recommends officers/representatives for litigation
5. Compliance with Court Judgments
- Advises management to direct relevant departments to comply
- Follows up to ensure compliance
6. Legal Unit Performance Enhancement
- Draws annual work plans for the Legal Unit
- Conducts quarterly appraisals for Legal Unit staff
- Compiles progress reports
- Produces quarterly reports and submits to the Director Legal
JOB SPECIFICATION
Qualifications:
- LLM plus two (2) years of work experience as Principal Legal Officer
OR - LLB plus five (5) years of work experience as Principal Legal Officer
Other Necessary Knowledge:
- Basic computer skills
- Knowledge of Public Service Regulations and Government procedures
RESPONSIBILITIES
For Work of Others: Supervises and directs all Legal Unit staff
For Property: Ensures safekeeping of valuable assets and documents
For Effect of Errors: Responsible for errors that may impair litigation or legislation drafting
Safety of Others: Minimal
COMPLEXITY
Authority for Decision Making: Advises management and departments on legal matters
Problem Solving: Explains difficult situations during litigation and legislation drafting
Supervision Received: Works independently and reports to Chief Legal Officer – Public Service
CONTACTS
- Management
- Other parties and stakeholders
EFFORT
Mental Effort: High level of mental effort required
Physical Effort: Minimal
Emotional Effort: Must be emotionally stable due to interactions with diverse parties
DEXTERITY
Requires strong mental and visual concentration and legal drafting skills
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