MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION
CIRCULAR NO. 3 OF 2025.AG/CIR/3
Applications are invited from suitably qualified local candidates for the following vacant positions tenable in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition.
Position Title: Senior Veterinary Officer
Ministry: Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition
Department: Livestock Services
Grade: J
Number of Positions: One (1)
Responsible To: Director Veterinary Public Health
Location: Maseru
Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the Director Veterinary Public Health, the Senior Veterinary Officer is responsible for overseeing and implementing veterinary public health programs, ensuring food safety, controlling zoonotic diseases, and enforcing public health regulations. The officer provides technical guidance, conducts risk assessments, and collaborates with relevant agencies to safeguard animal and human health.
Main Duties
1. Veterinary Public Health Programs & Food Safety
- Implement veterinary public health policies, programs, and legislation
- Ensure food safety and hygiene in animal-origin products
- Monitor compliance in slaughterhouses, processing plants, and markets
- Conduct risk assessments and advise on foodborne disease prevention
2. Zoonotic Disease Control and One Health Approach
- Develop strategies for prevention and control of zoonotic diseases
- Collaborate with human health authorities under the One Health framework
- Participate in outbreak investigations and response teams
- Conduct training and awareness programs for stakeholders
3. Public Health Information Management
- Develop and maintain reporting systems for border control inspectors
- Prepare and consolidate reports on public health activities
- Analyze and store public health data for decision-making
- Maintain accurate records of inspections and interventions
- Provide policy briefs and recommendations
4. Inspection
- Inspect animal products for consumption suitability
- Conduct inspections of veterinary establishments and food facilities
- Develop inspection guidelines and train field staff
- Monitor guideline usage and recommend changes
- Visit suppliers to ensure compliance with public health procedures
5. Policy, Regulations and Compliance
- Enforce veterinary public health laws and international standards
- Provide input in policy reviews and updates
- Issue regulatory reports and recommendations
6. Capacity Building and Technical Support
- Supervise and mentor junior officers and inspectors
- Develop training programs for veterinary and inspection staff
- Support research and data collection initiatives
- Participate in farmer training workshops
7. Preparation of Sectional Budget
- Prepare annual sectional budget for program funding
- Recommend budget revisions to align with business plan changes
Job Specification
Education and Training Requirements:
Option 1:
- Master’s Degree in Veterinary Public Health or equivalent
- Plus two (2) years of professional experience as a Veterinary Officer
Option 2:
- Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine/Science
- Plus five (5) years of experience as a Veterinary Officer
Professional Registration:
- Must be licensed/registered with the Lesotho Veterinary Council
Knowledge and Skills
- Veterinary public health laws and food safety standards
- Meat and dairy hygiene regulations
- Zoonotic disease surveillance and control
- One Health approaches
- Risk assessment and epidemiological techniques
Key Competencies:
- Strong leadership and supervisory skills
- Competence in veterinary research and development
- Scientific writing and reporting
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Effective communication
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Fluency in Sesotho and English
- Knowledge of international standards (WOAH, WHO, WTO, FAO)
Effort
Mental Effort
The job involves the following:
- Budget control
- Development of guidelines
- This may result in mental fatigue
Physical effort
The incumbent may be required to walk long distances in the district.
Emotional effort
The job requires the incumbent to have patience, tolerance and understanding during conflict resolution, and interaction with different people of different characters.
Working Conditions
Unfavourable 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 by animals during the performance of his/her duties.
Application Instructions
Applications must be submitted on relevant forms:
- GP 104 for serving officers
- GP 103 for job seekers
Each application must be accompanied by:
- Certified copies of educational certificates
- Transcripts
- National Identity Document
- Up-to-date Performance Appraisal Reports (for serving officers)
All applications must be hand-delivered or addressed to:
The Director Human Resources
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition
P.O. Box 24
Maseru – 100
Deadline for Applications: Not later than 27th October 2025