Consul General

780

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations invites applications from suitably qualified local candidates to fill the following position.

DEPARTMENT: FOREIGN SERVICE

JOB TITLE: CONSUL GENERAL

GRADE: J

NO. OF POSITIONS: (1)

RESPONSIBLE TO: HIGH COMMISSIONER

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the High Commissioner the incumbent is responsible for protecting the commercial interests of Lesotho and its nationals, workers, students and visitors, the rights of arrested Lesotho national, as well as the promotion of tourism, commercial and cultural relations and the issuing of visas. Assists High

Commissioner.

MAIN DUTIES

PROTECTION OF LESOTHO’S COMMERCIAL INTERESTS AND ITS NATIONALS

  • Protects the commercial interests of the Government of Lesotho and its nationals and bodies corporate within limits permitted by International Law in the consular district of jurisdiction so that they can work, study and visit without threats to their welfare and security.

PROTECTION OF BASOTHO WORKERS, STUDENTS AND VISITORS

  • Protects the interests of Lesotho mineworkers and other categories of workers, students and visitors in the district of jurisdiction so that they can work, study and visit without threats to their welfare and security.

PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF ARRESTED LESOTHO NATIONALS

  • Develops channels of communication with the local authorities of the consular district to be informed about Lesotho nationals arrested in the district so as to advise them of their rights, inform their relatives if they so desire and put them in touch, at their own cost, with local lawyers if they so wish.
  • Investigates and reports any violations of the human rights of arrested Lesotho nationals in the consular district to the High Commission for consideration of necessary action and representations to the government of the receiving state.
  • Reports arrests of Lesotho nationals for any alleged serious crimes (such as breach of security laws or any other crime) that may be in conflict with the national interests of Lesotho to the High Commissioner for decision by the Government of Lesotho.
  • Visits arrested/imprisoned Lesotho nationals to assess whether the conditions under which they are detained are in conformity with civilized standards and make appropriate representations with the local authorities as necessary.

PROMOTION OF TOURISM, COMMERCIAL AND CULTURAL RELATIONS

  • Promotes the commercial relations between Lesotho and the consular district of accreditation in order to secure markets for Lesotho products and attract inward investment.
  • Promotes Lesotho as a hospitable, friendly and secure destination for tourists in order to increase the tourist industry of Lesotho.
  • Promotes cultural exchanges between Lesotho and the consular district in order to cultivate and enhance friendship and understanding between the two communities.

ISSUING VISAS

  • Issues visas to foreign nationals wishing to travel to Lesotho to facilitate appropriate entry into the country.

REPORTING DEVELOPMENTS

  • Assesses conditions and development in the consular district of accreditation in commercial and tourism affairs and advises on the course of action advantageous to the interests of Lesotho and its nationals.
  • Assesses condition regarding the welfare of Lesotho nationals residing, working, studying, visiting the consular district of accreditation and advises on course of action to enhance the protection and welfare of such nationals.
  • Assesses conditions regarding residence and study permits, health requirements for medical consultations and referrals in the district of jurisdiction and reports to the High Commissioner so that Lesotho nationals can be briefed about them before visiting the areas concerned.

ASSISTANCE IN THE CASE OF DEATH OF LESOTHO NATIONALS

  • Reports to the High Commissioner and the Principal Secretary, Deaths of Lesotho nationals with no relatives in the district of jurisdiction so that close relatives maybe informed and their wishes ascertained.
  • Reports by quickest means the death, by violence or by any means that may arouse the interest of the press, of Lesotho nationals to the High Commissioner and the Principal Secretary.
  • Advise the relatives of deceased Lesotho nationals in the district of jurisdiction on the formalities for repatriation of remains so that they can avoid procedural inconveniences caused by ignorance.

MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

  • Coordinates the annual work plan of the staff of the consular post to facilitate systematic implementation of consular work.
  • Allocates work to the staff of the consular post and approves their leave to facilitate work flow.
  • Appraises the performance of the staff to assess their strengths and weaknesses so as to take corrective action where necessary.
  • Reviews and submits reports of the consular post to the High Commissioner for onward transmission to the Principal Secretary for action, evaluation and information.
  • May recommend creation of new positions to improve the effectiveness of the consular post.

MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

  • Prepares and submits the annual budget of the consular post in order to secure funds to run the office.
  • Periodically checks the assets of the consular post to ensure that they are in good condition and utilized in an economic manner and in accordance with the financial and stores regulations.
  • Approves and authorizes the expenditure of the consular post in order to control the use of government funds and to ensure that no financial advances are given to Lesotho citizens and bodies corporate without the express authority of the High Commissioner.
  • Performs any other related duties that may be assigned to meet the demands of service.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Education and Training

  • Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations or Law or Humanities or Social Sciences. Certificate in Diplomatic Training plus 3 years’ experience working in Foreign Affairs in the position of Minister Counsellor and above.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, Humanities, Law, and Social Science degrees related to the functions of the Mission, plus 3 years’ experience working at managerial positions.

ATTRIBUTES

  • A seasoned diplomat
  • Understands the national priorities
  • Understands the geopolitics of Lesotho/South Africa
  • Possess excellent negotiation skills.

RESPONSIBILITY

For work of others

There is close monitoring of the work of the number two, close supervision of the work of the Personal Secretary and general responsibility for safety and security of the post’s property by ensuring that appropriate regulations and security measures are adhered to.

For effect of errors

The incumbent is responsible for effect of errors that emanate from incorrect reports issued by his/her consular post.

For safety of others

The incumbent has general responsibility for the protection of the

Lesotho nationals in his/her consular district.

COMPLEXITY

Authority for decision making

The incumbent has the authority to make recommendations, supported by arguments to the Principal Secretary, and authority to approve expenditure of the consular post

Problem solving

The incumbent often has to solve complex problems relating to the legal rights of Lesotho nationals in his/her consular district.

Supervision received

  • The incumbent is guided by international conventions and agreements as well as the laws of the receiving state in his/her work. She/he operates within the policy framework of the Lesotho government and consults closely with the High Commissioner.

Dexterity

This factor is minimal in the job.

CONTACTS

The job requires the incumbent to be in contact with the Local and Municipal authorities of the consular district. The incumbent also has to be in contact with the business leaders, business persons, educational authorities, mining and other industrial managers, trade union leaders, other heads of consular posts, Lesotho High Commissioner, visiting Lesotho dignitaries and Lesotho nationals in the consular district.

EFFORT

Mental effort

The job requires the incumbent to observe, analyze and report on consular issues that have a bearing on Lesotho’s national interests. The job requires a keen awareness of these interests and initiative in protecting and advancing them. Physical effort

This factor is minimal in the job.

Emotional effort

The job involves dealing with distressed and destitute Lesotho nationals. The nationals may be illegal immigrants, crime victims, bereaved relatives, retrenched or aggrieved worker, students without adequate stipends or study permits, arrested and detained persons, persons on medical treatment/referrals who all require tolerance and patience in large doses.

Working conditions

The incumbent can be under stress due to the crime rate in the consular district.

Hazards

This factor is considered minimal in the Lesotho Consular Posts.

All applications should be on relevant forms GP104 forms for Serving and GP103 for job seekers, accompanied by certified copies of Educational Certificates and transcripts should be delivered to:

Human Resources Office

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations

P/Bag 1387

Maseru 100

The closing date for the applications is 14th April, 2023.

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