MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRY
CIRCULAR NOTICE NO. 1 OF 2025
Ref: MEF/CIRC/2
APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FROM SUITABLY QUALIFIED LOCAL CANDIDATES
for the following vacant positions tenable in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry:
POSITION: Forester
DEPARTMENT: Forestry
GRADE: E
RESPONSIBLE TO: District Forestry Officer
NO. OF POSTS: Two (2)
LOCATION: Mafeteng & Forestry
JOB SUMMARY
Under the general supervision of the District Forestry Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for facilitation of development and management of nurseries, tree planting, forest management, harvesting reserves, preparation of sectional budget and coordination of sectional activities.
MAIN DUTIES
1. Facilitation of Development and Management of Nurseries
1.1 Promotes the establishment of private nurseries in order to empower stakeholders in increasing quality planting stock and for income generation.
1.2 Creates awareness on general nursery production and management techniques in order to sensitize stakeholders on the requirements needed for nursery development and management.
1.3 Identifies and selects potential nursery owners in order to ensure planning and implementation of activities.
1.4 Trains nursery owners on production and management techniques to ensure nursery sustainability.
2. Tree Planting
2.1 Holds campaigns to create awareness on the importance of planting trees.
2.2 Trains stakeholders on the production and management of trees to increase the survival rate and provide alternative species for planting.
2.3 Monitors the operations of woodlot owners on tree planting to ensure that those operations enhance the survival rate of trees.
2.4 Advises potential woodlot owners on acquisition of documents to avoid unwarranted litigation processes.
3. Forest Management
3.1 Trains woodlot owners on proper management of woodlots to improve yield per unit area.
3.2 Undertakes regular inspection visits to woodlot sites to ensure that silvicultural prescriptions are adhered to.
3.3 Liaises with District Forestry Officers on acquisitions of equipment and tools needed during outbreaks of wildfires.
3.4 Initiates the design and production of placards to be displayed in fire-endangered zones to reduce possible fire outbreaks.
3.5 Initiates the selection and training of Forest Extension Facilitators and trains them on appropriate forestry management procedures.
3.6 Holds awareness campaigns on possible fire outbreaks to prevent damage to woodlots.
4. Harvesting and Utilisation of Forests
4.1 Trains woodlot owners on harvesting techniques using appropriate tools to maximize yield and improve regeneration.
4.2 Selects both indigenous and exotic tree species for seed supply to maintain their availability.
4.3 Prepares harvesting schedules in collaboration with woodlot owners to meet sustainable consumer demand.
4.4 Promotes and encourages establishment of cottage industries in rural areas for income generation and employment.
4.5 Promotes beekeeping activities in agroforestry for income and by-products.
4.6 Trains and promotes marketing of wood and woodlot products to provide an outlet for the products.
4.7 Collects revenue from wood sales and tree seedling sales to deposit into the Forest Fund special account.
5. Management of Forest Reserves
5.1 Provides technical expertise and guidance on silvicultural management practices in forest reserves to maintain sustainable productivity.
5.2 Identifies forest reserves ready for privatization and advises the DFO accordingly to empower communities.
5.3 Identifies new sites that can be declared reserves and advises the DFO to facilitate appropriate actions.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Qualifications and Experience
• Diploma in Forestry / Agriculture plus two (2) years relevant working experience in Agriculture or related field.
OR
• Certificate in Agriculture plus three (3) years working experience in Agriculture or related field.
Other Necessary Knowledge and Skills
• Computer literacy
• Leadership skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Training skills
• Knowledge of the Forestry Act
RESPONSIBILITY
For work of others
• The factor is not identified with this job.
For property
• The job requires the incumbent to ensure safe keeping and proper use of forestry equipment, residential and office furniture at the area.
For budget and finance in general
• The incumbent is responsible for the development of sectional budget.
For safety of others
• The factor is not identified with this job.
For effect of errors
• The incumbent will be held responsible for work-related errors that may occur as a result of negligence on his/her part.
COMPLEXITY
Authority for decision-making
• This factor is not identified with this job.
Problem solving
• This factor is not identified with this job.
Supervision received
• The incumbent is expected to work independently but reports monthly to his or her immediate supervisor.
Dexterity
• This factor is minimal in this job.
CONTACTS
The incumbent comes into contact with the following persons and organizations during the execution of duties:
EFFORT
Mental effort
• This factor is not identified with this job.
Physical effort
• The incumbent may be required to use physical effort in execution of his/her duties.
Emotional effort
• The job requires the incumbent to have patience, tolerance and understanding when encountering conflicts.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Unfavorable working conditions
• The job requires the incumbent to occasionally work beyond normal working hours, during weekends and on public holidays.
Hazards
• The incumbent may be exposed to physical harm from forestry equipment.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications on relevant Forms, GP 103 for non-serving officers and GP 104 for serving officers, accompanied by curriculum vitae, certified copies of educational certificates and transcripts should be addressed to:
The Principal Secretary
Ministry of Environment and Forestry
P.O. Box 10993
Maseru 100
Or hand delivered to:
Human Resources Office
Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Thaba Bosiu Building, Industrial Area
Only shortlisted candidates shall undergo a competency assessment facilitated by the Assessment Centre (Ministry of Public Service) or a Driver’s Assessment, where applicable.
NB: All applicants are required to submit a verification report from the Council of Higher Education (CHE) or proof of application from CHE.
Deadline for applications: 08 August 2025
If you do not hear from the Human Resource Office, consider your application unsuccessful.