- Ministry: Agriculture
- Department: Livestock Services
- Section: Fisheries Production
- Title: Principal Livestock Development Officer
- Grade: G
- Responsible To: Chief Animal Production Officer
- No. of Positions: 1 (One)
Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the Chief Animal Production Officer the incumbent will be responsible for sectional policy implementation, preparation of the sectional budget, information dissemination, coordination of fisheries production programmes, genetic improvement and conservation, fisheries nutrition.
Main Duties
1. Genetic Improvement and Conservation
- 1.1 Conducts research on fishery genetics resources with a view to upgrade existing breeds for increased productivity.
- 1.2 Conducts surveys on indigenous fish to determine the feasibility of the conservation of the indigenous genetic pool.
- 1.3 Analyses the findings of the research and or surveys to identify the most suitable breeds for the environment and the developmental needs of the country.
- 1.4 Carries out experiments to test whether these findings would be operational and favorable.
- 1.5 Recommends the development of the breed for increased productivity so as to promote poverty reduction and income generation.
2. Fishery Nutrition
- 2.1 Initiates and conducts research studies on the best (in terms of quality, sustainability, and productivity) and cheapest poultry feeds for the local fish industry using locally produces and available inputs.
- 2.2 Liaises with research institutions to establish and procure the most suitable and highly productive feeds for newly produced fish breeds.
- 2.3 Liaises with research institutions in the field of fish nutrition within and outside the country to procure the latest information on fish feeds and their benefits for the local farmers.
- 2.4 Puts on trial internationally produces and locally untested fish feeds to the local conditions in order to determine their suitability for the local fish and recommends accordingly.
- 2.5 Conducts surveys on the proper utilization of fish feeds by the local farmers in order to establish their level of understanding on the proper use of those feeds and their impact on the fish industry in the long run.
3. Policy Implementation
- 3.1 Develops training manuals and guidelines for the District Animal Production Officers fish procurement, and management to promote growth and sustainability of the fish industry.
- 3.2 Conducts training workshops for the District Animal Production Officers to enable them to train the fish farmers accordingly on general and proper management of fish industry to enhance productivity.
- 3.3 Establishes control measures to ensure that the fish industry operates within the set policies, systems procedure standards and rules and regulations to meet both economical and environmental needs of the country.
- 3.4 Monitors the overall performance of fish production rules and regulations as well as the systems principles and procedures and accordingly recommend the required changes and improvements to facilitate their effectiveness efficiency and responsiveness to the local fish industry.
4. Coordination of Fishery Activities
- 4.1 Liaises with the Animal Health Division within the department of Livestock Services to ensure that the fish industry in Lesotho is free from any infectious diseases.
- 4.2 Visits suppliers to ensure that the conditions under which they produce are consistent with the requirement of the section.
- 4.3 Liaises with the District Animal Production Officers to ensure an integrated and common understanding in the implementation of fish programmes and activities in the districts.
- 4.4 Liaises with institutions outside the department to ensure integration of programmes and activities that can be jointly undertaken.
- 4.5 Participates in the farmers training workshops conducted by different stakeholders to ensure acquisition of common understanding and interpretation in order to avoid or prohibit violation of fishery policy.
- 4.6 Liaises with fishery organizations both locally and internationally to share information on fishery activities in order to realign them with the changing environmental and developmental needs.
5. Budget Preparation
- 5.1 Costs sectional activities to establish the amount of money that will be needed for execution of fish production activities.
- 5.2 Prepares the overall sectional budget to ensure that fish production programmes will be funded and ultimately smoothly implemented.
Compensable Factors
1.0 Job Specification
- 1.1 Education and training requirements: Master of Science (MSc) in Fisheries and Aquaculture, Aquatic Sciences, Animal Science, or a closely related field from a recognized institution plus a minimum of three (03) years working experience in Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Sciences. Candidates holding MSc in Animal Science with a research focus in Fisheries and Aquaculture will have an added advantage. OR Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture, Aquatic Sciences, Animal Science, with a minimum of Five (05) years working experience in Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic resource management or related field.
- 1.2 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: The job requires the incumbent to provide general supervision to two farm managers.
- 2.2 For property: The incumbent is responsible for his/her office furniture.
- 2.3 For budget and finance in general: The incumbent is responsible for control of the sectional budget in general.
- 2.4 For safety of others: This factor is minimal in this job.
- 2.5 For effect of errors: The incumbent will be held responsible for work related errors such as introduction of poor breeding stock as well as fishery feeds.
3. Complexity
- 3.1 Authority for decision-making: The incumbent has authority to make recommendations to CAPO on the appropriate fishery breeding stock for the country.
- 3.2 Problem solving: The job requires the incumbent to solve complex work related problems.
- 3.3 Supervision received: The incumbent is expected to work independently but reports monthly to his or her immediate supervisor.
- 3.4 Dexterity: This factor is very minimal in this job.
4. Contacts
The incumbent comes into contact with the following persons and organizations during the execution of duties:
- District Animal Production Officer – Coordination of fishery production activities – As required
- Farm Manager – Reporting and Planning – Monthly
- Farm Manager – Progress Review – Quarterly
- Farm Manager – Appraisal – Annually
- Chief Animal Production Officer – Reporting and Planning – Monthly
- Chief Animal Production Officer – Progress Review – Quarterly
- Chief Animal Production Officer – Appraisal – Annually
- Local and International fishery Organizations – Research on fish Feeds – As required
5. Effort
- 5.1 Mental effort: The job involves budget control and conducting research which may result in mental fatigue.
- 5.2 Physical effort: The factor is not identified with this job.
- 5.3 Emotional effort: The job requires the incumbent to have patience, tolerance and understanding during conflict resolution, and interaction with different people of different characters.
6. Working Conditions
- 6.1 Unfavorable working conditions: The job requires the incumbent to occasionally work beyond normal working hours, during weekends and on public holidays.
- 6.2 Hazards: This factor is minimal in this job.
How to Apply
Applications on relevant forms, (obtainable from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition), GP 104 for serving officers and GP 103 for job seekers duly accompanied by certified copies of educational certificates, transcripts, National Identity Document, and up-to-date performance appraisal forms for serving officers.
All applications must be hand delivered or addressed to:
The Director Human Resources
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition
P.O. Box 24
Maseru – 100
Not later than the 22 July 2026.