External Circular No. 3 of 2025
Reference: MTIBD/CIR/GEN/8/7
Ministry: Trade, Industry & Business Development
Career Opportunity: Cooperatives Officer
Department: Cooperatives
Location: Maseru, Lesotho
Number of Positions: One (1)
Reports To: Senior Cooperatives Officer
Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the Senior Cooperatives Officer, the Cooperatives Officer is responsible for the development and promotion of cooperatives, facilitation of cooperative legal frameworks, assessment of business plans, compliance monitoring, capacity building, and supervision of staff within the cooperatives section.
Key Responsibilities
1. Development of Cooperatives
- Conduct campaigns and sensitization programs
- Deliver pre-registration training on cooperative values, principles, policies, and laws
- Conduct feasibility studies and recommend actions
- Facilitate registration of new cooperatives
2. Promotion of Cooperatives
- Organize cooperative day celebrations and market days
- Develop community mobilization programs
- Compile reports on promotional activities
3. Implementation of Legal Frameworks
- Identify gaps in cooperative legislation
- Participate in legislative reviews and development
- Design programs to popularize legal frameworks
- Monitor and evaluate implementation
4. Compliance Monitoring
- Sensitize societies on cooperative laws and by-laws
- Conduct inspections and inquiries
- Preside over disputes
- Facilitate audit programs
- Analyze district performance reports and recommend actions
5. Business Plan Evaluation
- Conduct feasibility studies for cooperative enterprises
- Develop guidelines for business plan appraisal
- Evaluate study group business plans
- Recommend registration to the commissioner
6. Capacity Building
- Assess training needs
- Communicate needs to headquarters and seek technical assistance
- Organize training workshops
- Facilitate technical training on production/service delivery
- Report on workshop effectiveness
7. Administration and Management
- Compile district work plans
- Prepare annual budgets
- Conduct staff performance appraisals
- Supervise cooperatives section staff
- Prepare sectional reports for submission
Required Skills, Knowledge & Attitudes
- Computer literacy
- Strong managerial and leadership skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Effective conflict management
- Thorough knowledge of cooperative sector values, principles, policies, and laws
Job Specifications
Minimum Qualifications (any one of the following):
- Master’s Degree in Cooperative Studies or Business Administration + 2 years experience in cooperative development
- Postgraduate Diploma in Cooperative Studies or Business Administration + 3 years experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Cooperative Studies or Business Administration + 4 years experience
Application Instructions
Applications must be submitted on:
- Form GP 104 (for serving officers)
- Form GP 103 (for job seekers)
Required Documents:
- Certified copies of educational certificates and transcripts
- Certified copy of ID
- Up-to-date performance appraisal form (for serving officers)
- Contact number and email address on the application form
Submission Locations:
- Registry Office – Lesotho Cooperatives College (Next to Setsoto Stadium)
- Registry Office – Ministry Headquarters, LNDC Building
Closing Date: 18 August 2025