Director, Industrial Property Registrations at Law and Justice

September 2, 2025

111

Ministry of Law and Justice

External Circular No. 6 of 2025
Ref: LCA/CIR/4

Applications are invited from suitably qualified local candidates for the following vacant position tenable at the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Department: Registrar General

Job Title: Director, Industrial Property Registrations

Responsible To: Registrar General

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Registrar General, the incumbent oversees the administration of Industrial Property (Trademarks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models), prepares and conducts outreach programs, assists the Registrar General in carrying out his/her duties, and performs administrative and managerial functions in the absence of the Registrar General.

MAIN DUTIES

1. Oversees the Functions in Industrial Property Registration

1.1 Oversees the processing of applications for registration of Marks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models in order to grant protection.
1.2 Oversees the formal and substantive examination of Marks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models filed for registration in compliance with the requirements under National, Regional, and International Industrial Property Legislation.
1.3 Endorses and registers Marks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models that have complied with the requirements of the law.
1.4 Issues Certificates of Registration for Marks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models as proof of registration.
1.5 Registers subsequent changes pertaining to registered Marks, Industrial Designs, and Patents such as increases in the number of classes protected under Marks, new assignments, and change of names and addresses.
1.6 Oversees the processing of applications for renewal of registered Marks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models.

2. Handles Opposition Cases for Trademarks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models and Ensures Compliance with the Law

2.1 Takes necessary actions for removal of dormant Marks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models in compliance with the law.
2.2 Ensures that registered Marks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models comply with the requirements of the law, including filing forms and payment of fees.
2.3 Liaises with Industrial Property Practitioners and Applicants for processing opposition matters.

3. Oversees Removal of Dormant Trademarks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models from Registers

3.1 Takes necessary actions for removal of dormant Marks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models in compliance with the law.
3.2 Strikes off dormant Trademarks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models from registers.
3.3 Oversees updating of registers after removal of dormant Marks, Industrial Designs, Patents, and Utility Models and notifies users of the Industrial Property System accordingly.

4. Provides Advice to Government on Intellectual Property Matters and Ensures Lesotho’s Compliance with International Obligations

4.1 Gives legal advice to government on all Intellectual Property issues, including which International Treaties, Protocols, and other International Instruments on Intellectual Property to accede to or ratify.
4.2 Advises government Ministries on Intellectual Property issues.
4.3 Ensures that Lesotho complies with its obligations under Regional and International Bodies to which Lesotho is a party, such as the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
4.4 Ensures that Lesotho complies with its obligations under Regional and International Treaties, Protocols, and Agreements to which Lesotho is a party, such as the Harare Protocol, Banjul Protocol, Madrid Protocol, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) Agreement.

5. Preparation and Conducting of Outreach Program for the Department

5.1 Prepares outreach program for the Department.
5.2 Prepares Action Plan for the Outreach Program.
5.3 Develops outreach tools and materials to be used in outreach activities.
5.4 Organizes and coordinates outreach activities for the Department.
5.5 Carries out outreach activities using different and relevant platforms to sensitize the public about the services of the Department.

Other Key Duties

Assists the Registrar General in his/her duties and carries out managerial functions in the absence of the Registrar General.
Prepares annual individual work plan to highlight goals.
Assists the Registrar General to coordinate the Departmental Operational Plan in order to ascertain that it is geared towards the achievement of Departmental and Ministerial objectives.
Prepares reports on the implementation of the Departmental Operational Plan on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis in order to ensure that progress is achieved within the set timeframe.
Advises the Registrar General about the actual progress of the Industrial Property Unit against planned activities to ensure that departmental objectives are achieved.
Prepares the annual training plan of the Industrial Property Unit in order to enhance the skills of the staff.
Assists the Registrar General in collecting revenue from services rendered by the Department, in particular from Industrial Property administration nationally, regionally, and internationally.
Performs any other related duties that may be assigned from time to time.

JOB SPECIFICATION

Education & Experience
- Master’s Degree in Law (LLM), preferably in Intellectual Property Law, plus seven (7) years working experience as a legal practitioner or two (2) years working experience at a senior management level.
- Admission or right of admission as Advocate or Attorney in SADC countries.
OR
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB), plus ten (10) years relevant working experience in the legal profession or two (2) years working experience as a legal practitioner at a senior management level.
- Admission or right of admission as Advocate or Attorney in SADC countries.

Other Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Competences

Extensive knowledge of Commercial Law.
Knowledge of Public Service Rules and Regulations.
Computer Literacy.
Professional Knowledge: Demonstrates high level of understanding of law and legal principles necessary to provide legal and program services and to keep abreast with current developments nationally, regionally, and internationally.
Communication: Effectively uses oral communication and written information to individuals and groups to ensure understanding; expresses complex legal and program concepts in a clear, concise, organized, and persuasive manner.
Integrity and Good Ethics: Demonstrates integrity, upholds good work ethics, respects diversity, and behaves consistently with clear personal values that complement those of the government or the Ministry.
Strategic Capability and Leadership: Ability to harness skills, abilities, and resources to lead people, formulate strategy and policy, and execute management of tasks.
People Management: Understands practices involving human capital planning, motivation, and development of employees to improve Ministerial and individual performance.
Change Management: Ability to apply knowledge, tools, and resources to systematically manage transformational programs; responsive and agile to changing needs or circumstances of the Department.

RESPONSIBILITY

For Work of Others: Supervises the Chief Industrial Property Counsel in administration of Industrial Property and other subordinates on sensitive matters.
For Property: Responsible for the safekeeping of Law Books.
For Effect of Errors: Responsible for own errors and those of subordinates that may be committed when dealing with registrations and carrying out duties generally.

AUTHORITY FOR DECISION MAKING

The incumbent has the authority to decide which Industrial Designs, Marks, Patents, Societies, Citizenships, and Newspapers to register.

PROBLEM SOLVING

The incumbent is expected to solve work-related problems.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The incumbent is expected to work independently, except on sensitive matters where consultation with the Registrar General is required.

DEXTERITY

None.

CONTACTS MADE

The incumbent is required to make regular contacts with:

Ministries responsible for Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Health, Education, Tourism, Culture, and Environment.
Universities and Research Institutions.
Members of the Legal Profession.
Association of Inventors and Innovators.
Intellectual Property Rights Holders.
Members of the Public.

EFFORT

Mental Effort:
High mental effort is required as the incumbent is expected to have extensive knowledge of Commercial Law, especially Intellectual Property, in order to examine various documents lodged for registration. The incumbent should therefore continually research emerging legal issues and read various Law Books and Journals.
Physical Effort:
Not applicable.
Emotional Effort:
Requires patience and tolerance, especially in dealing with members of the public.

HAZARDS