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.
Position: Principal Agricultural Information Officer
Position Details
Department: Field Services
Job Title: Principal Agricultural Information Officer
Grade: G
Responsible To: Chief Agricultural Information Officer
Location: Maseru
Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the Director of Field Services, the incumbent will be responsible for divisional policy formulation; facilitation of the implementation of divisional policy; coordination of divisional activities; preparation of the divisional budget; supervision of heads of sections; and supervision and training of staff.
Main Duties
1. Facilitation of the Implementation of the Divisional Policy
1.1 Develops and provides strategic framework and guidelines for overall implementation of the divisional policy.
1.2 Develops simplified manuals on the divisional policy and systems to promote smooth implementation of programmes and activities.
1.3 Assesses and revises the divisional policy to enhance effectiveness, relevance and responsiveness to ministerial and clientele needs.
1.4 Provides necessary resources to sectional staff and ensures accuracy to eliminate obstacles in programme implementation.
1.5 Monitors and evaluates performance of strategic guidelines to identify areas requiring improvement and realign them.
2. Coordination of Agricultural Information Activities
2.1 Compiles the divisional annual work plan from sectional heads to rationalize resource allocation.
2.2 Liaises with international and local organizations to ensure consistency, mutual support and synchronized implementation of agricultural information programmes.
2.3 Participates in agricultural information meetings, seminars and conferences locally and internationally to facilitate coverage of agricultural news.
2.4 Holds planning meetings with heads of sections to ensure harmonization and mutual support in programme implementation.
2.5 Liaises with ministerial divisions to identify activities for joint implementation and avoid conflicting interests.
3. Preparation of the Divisional Budget
3.1 Interprets and enforces budgetary guidelines annually to ensure proper understanding and compliance.
3.2 Holds meetings with heads of sections to initiate the divisional budget preparation process.
3.3 Checks and verifies sectional budgets to ensure alignment with guidelines and annual work plans.
3.4 Negotiates and justifies the divisional budget at departmental budget discussions.
3.5 Consolidates sectional budgets into the overall divisional budget.
4. Editing of Programmes and Publications
4.1 Designs and develops guidelines for news coverage and editing of agricultural information.
4.2 Monitors adherence to guidelines and identifies areas requiring improvement.
4.3 Edits and approves information for media publication to ensure it meets required quality and journalistic standards.
5. Promotion of Ministerial Public Relations
5.1 Develops simplified manuals on ministerial strategic intentions for common understanding by divisional staff.
5.2 Participates in ministerial management meetings, seminars and conferences to gather information on strategic intentions and programmes.
5.3 Calls press conferences to publicize ministerial strategic intentions and operational resources.
5.4 Monitors and evaluates performance of developed manuals and realigns them with changes in ministerial strategies and programmes.
6. Supervision and Training of Staff
6.1 Holds regular meetings with sectional heads to facilitate planning and reporting of divisional activities.
6.2 Convenes quarterly meetings with supervisees to review progress and approve revisions to operational work plans.
6.3 Conducts annual performance appraisals to identify successes, failures and training needs.
6.4 Identifies training needs and establishes strategies for staff capacity building.
6.5 Monitors and evaluates post‑training performance to determine impact and identify necessary follow‑up actions.
Compensable Factors
1. Job Specification
1.1 Education and Training Requirements
- Master’s Degree in Agriculture / Extension / Agricultural Journalism / Mass Media
OR - BSc in Agriculture / Extension / Agricultural Journalism / Mass Media
1.2 Experience
- Three (3) years working experience in Agricultural Journalism for Master’s Degree holders.
- Five (5) years working experience for BSc holders in managerial positions.
1.3 Other Necessary Knowledge and Skills
- Advanced computer literacy
- Good managerial and leadership skills
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Good conflict management skills
- Negotiation skills
- Knowledge of public service rules and regulations
- Counselling skills
- Analytical skills
- Very fluent in Sesotho and English
2. Responsibility
2.1 For work of others: Provides general supervision to five sectional heads (Principal Information Officers).
2.2 For property: Responsible for developing and interpreting guidelines for proper utilization and safekeeping of divisional equipment and office furniture.
2.3 For budget and finance: Responsible for interpretation of budgetary guidelines.
2.4 For safety of others: Designs guidelines and facilitates procurement of protective clothing.
2.5 For effect of errors: Responsible for work‑related errors such as irrelevant publicity and errors arising from negligence of supervisees.
3. Complexity
3.1 Authority for decision‑making: Has authority to approve information for dissemination.
3.2 Problem solving: Required to solve disputes among subordinates.
3.3 Supervision received: Expected to work independently but reports monthly to supervisor.
3.4 Dexterity: Minimal.
4. Contacts
The incumbent interacts with the following:
| Offices/Officers | Reason | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Other news agencies | Coordination of activities | As required |
| Individual heads of sections | Reporting and planning | Monthly |
| Individual heads of sections | Progress review | Quarterly |
| Individual heads of sections | Appraisal | Annually |
| Director of Field Services | Reporting and planning | Monthly |
| Director of Field Services | Appraisal | Annually |
| Heads of ministerial departments | Coordination of activities | As required |
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