MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION
CIRCULAR NO. 1 OF 2026
REF: AG/CIR/1
Applications are invited from suitably qualified local candidates for the following vacant position tenable in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition.
District Veterinary Officer
Position Details
Department: Field Services
Division: District
Section: Animal Health
Title: District Veterinary Officer
Grade: H
Location: Mafeteng One (1)
Responsible To: District Agricultural Officer
Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the District Agricultural Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for animal disease control; animal disease information management; veterinary public health; management of artificial insemination; coordination of district animal health activities; and budget preparation.
Main Duties
1. Animal Disease Control
1.1 Develops simplified training manuals and guidelines for LTOs to facilitate smooth and common implementation of animal disease control measures in the district.
1.2 Conducts workshops for LTOs to equip them with technical skills for training farmers and AAs.
1.3 Conducts investigations to determine origin, pattern and causal factors associated with animal disease outbreaks and initiates appropriate interventions.
1.4 Provides vaccines and acaricides for efficient and effective control of scheduled animal diseases and other animal health activities.
1.5 Conducts animal disease control campaigns to curb spread of diseases.
1.6 Compiles disease control campaign figures to determine effectiveness of interventions.
2. Animal Disease Information Management
2.1 Develops an animal disease reporting system for LTOs to collect reliable data.
2.2 Reviews the reporting system periodically to realign it with environmental changes.
2.3 Consolidates weekly reports into a monthly report for PVO to reflect disease status.
2.4 Analyses and stores all information related to animal health to develop sectional data bank.
2.5 Updates sectional data bank regularly to ensure accuracy and prompt decision‑making.
3. Inspection
3.1 Inspects animal products to ensure suitability for consumption.
3.2 Designs and develops inspection guidelines for LTOs to ensure proper implementation of Public Health Procedures.
3.3 Conducts training for LTOs on current Public Health Procedures.
3.4 Monitors utilization of inspection guidelines to identify areas requiring change.
4. Veterinary Public Health
4.1 Inspects animal products to ensure consumption suitability.
4.2 Designs and develops inspection guidelines for LTOs.
4.3 Conducts training for LTOs on current Public Health Procedures.
4.4 Monitors utilization of guidelines to identify areas needing changes.
5. Management of Artificial Insemination
5.1 Designs simplified guidelines and manuals for LTOs on AI management.
5.2 Conducts training workshops for LTOs on AI.
5.3 Monitors performance of guidelines and manuals to determine areas requiring change.
5.4 Liaises with PVO Theriogenology to identify suitable breeding semen.
6. Coordination of District Animal Health Activities
6.1 Liaises with Principal Veterinary Officer to ensure district livestock industry is free from infectious diseases.
6.2 Visits suppliers to ensure compliance with Public Health Procedures.
6.3 Liaises with other District Veterinary Officers for common understanding of animal health programmes.
6.4 Participates in farmer training workshops for common understanding of Animal Health Policy.
6.5 Liaises with local and international Animal Health Organizations for information sharing.
7. Preparation of the Sectional Budget
7.1 Liaises with DAO and district staff to prioritise sectional programmes.
7.2 Prepares overall section annual budget to ensure funding for programmes.
7.3 Negotiates and justifies sectional budget at district budget discussions.
7.4 Recommends sectional budget revisions when necessary.
Compensable Factors
1. Job Specification
Education and Training Requirements
- Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
Other Necessary Knowledge and Skills
- Computer literacy
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Negotiation skills
- Persuasive skills
- Technical report writing skills
2. Responsibility
2.1 For work of others: Responsible for general supervision of technical officers (Livestock).
2.2 For property: Responsible for office furniture, veterinary drugs and equipment.
2.3 For budget and finance: Responsible for control of sectional budget.
2.4 For safety of others: Ensures availability of protective clothing and first aid kits; ensures supervisees are protected and immunized.
2.5 For effect of errors: Responsible for errors such as wrong diagnosis or incorrect prescriptions which may result in loss of animal or human life.
3. Complexity
3.1 Authority for decision‑making: Recommends appropriate animal health practices to PVO and DAO.
3.2 Problem solving: Required to solve complex technical problems between farmers and staff.
3.3 Supervision received: Works independently but reports daily to supervisor.
3.4 Dexterity: Minimal.
4. Contacts
Contacts include:
- Principal Veterinary Officer (coordination & reporting) – As required
- District Agricultural Officer (planning, review, appraisal) – Monthly/Quarterly/Annually
- Other ministries/departments – As required
- NGOs and farmers – As required
- International organizations – As required
5. Effort
- Mental effort: Budget control, guideline development (may cause mental fatigue).
- Physical effort: Muscle power required when restraining big animals.
- Emotional effort: Requires patience, tolerance and understanding when dealing with farmers.
6. Working Conditions
6.1 Unfavourable working conditions: May work beyond normal hours, weekends or public holidays.
6.2 Hazards: Exposure to infected samples, infected animals (e.g., rabid dogs), and temperamental animals (e.g., bulls, stallions).
How to Apply
All applications must be hand delivered or addressed to:
The Human Resources Department
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition
P.O. Box 24
Maseru 100
Closing Date
Not later than 27 February 2026