Job offer: Area Technical Officer (Livestock) x2

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY & NUTRITION

CIRCULAR NO. 4 OF 2024.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified local candidates for the following positions that are tenable in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition:

MINISTRY : AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY & NUTRITION

DEPARTMENT : FIELD SERVICES

SECTION : RESOURCE CENTER

TITLE : AREA TECHNICAL OFFICER (LIVESTOCK)

GRADE : E

RESPONSIBLE TO : AREA EXTENSION OFFICER

NUMBER OF POSITIONS : 2

LOCATION : BEREA & BUTHA-BUTHE

JOB SUMMARY

UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISION OF THE AREA EXTENSION OFFICER, THE INCUMBENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FACILITATION OF IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITIZATION OF COMMUNITY PROBLEMS THROUGH PARTICIPATORY LEARNING ACTION WORKSHOPS; DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN; FACILITATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN; INFORMATION DISSEMINATION; PREPARATION OF SUB-SECTIONAL BUDGET, COORDINATION OF SUB-SECTIONAL ACTIVITIES.

MAIN DUTIES

1.    FACILITATION OF IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITIZATION OF COMMUNITY PROBLEMS THROUGH PLA WORKSHOPS.

• Guides the farming community in identifying their own problems to provide a basis for their own development programmes.
• Guides the farming community in prioritizing their problems to give focus to their efforts.
• Guides the farming community in analyzing their prioritized problems so as to identify the underlying causes to the problems.

2.    DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN

• Provides information on livestock production technologies to assist the community in finding solutions to their problems.
• Guides the development of the community action plan in order to define roles, responsibilities and targets.

3.    FACILITATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN.

• Trains farmers in liaison with SMS on appropriate livestock production techniques as identified by them in their community action plan to improve their skills.
• Conducts study tours and farmer-to-farmer visits to expose farmers to different livestock production methods and ideas.
• Guides the community in monitoring and evaluating their progress in implementation of their action plan to ensure that they learn from their experiences.
• Performs minor veterinary operations where services are far away in order to promote good health of livestock.

4.    INFORMATION DISSEMINATION

• Sensitizes farmers and other stakeholders on current livestock policies to ensure effective implementation of those policies.
• Provides information to farmers and other stakeholders on possible market opportunities so they can produce appropriate livestock and livestock products.
• Notifies appropriate authorities on outbreaks of notifiable diseases so that immediate action can be taken.
• Sensitizes farmers and other stakeholders on vaccination programmes so that a healthy status is maintained.
• Encourages the establishment of anti-stock theft groups in liaison with other stakeholders to reduce the prevalence of stock theft in the area.

5.    PROMOTION OF PRIVATE SECTOR SERVICE DELIVERY

• Trains farmers and other stakeholders to properly and effectively manage dipping, vaccinations and dosing to reduce prevalence of disease in the area.
• Trains local breeders on good livestock management skills so as to obtain an improved quality of livestock and livestock products.
• Trains Wool and Mohair Associations and other stakeholders on woolshed management, classing and marketing to ensure efficient operation of the woolsheds.
• Encourages traders to stock appropriate livestock inputs to improve their supply to farmers.

6.   PREPARATION OF THE SECTIONAL BUDGET

• Prepares the overall sectional budget annually to ensure that all sectional programs and projects are funded accordingly and implemented smoothly.
• Negotiates and justifies the horticultural crop research budget at the divisional budget discussions in order to secure the necessary funds to finance sectional activities.
• Recommends the review of the sectional budget to the divisional head whenever the need arises to realign it with the changes in the sectional business plan to facilitate the implementation of the critical programs and activities within the section.

7.    COORDINATION OF SUB SECTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Liaises with other sub-sectional heads within and outside the resource center to solicit support in the implementation of crops activities.
• Convenes monthly meetings with sub-centre heads for planning and reporting in order to ensure integrated implementation of crops activities.
• Liaises with stakeholders to sensitize them on sub-sectoral developments to facilitate consistency, mutual support and synchronic implementation of crops programmes.

COMPENSABLE FACTORS

1.JOB SPECIFICATION

Education and training requirements

• Diploma in General Agriculture

Or

• Diploma in Agricultural Education

Or

• Certificate in Agriculture

Experience

Three years (3) work experience for Certificate holders in agriculture related field with emphasis on some basic veterinary activities and operations.

Other necessary knowledge and skills

• Computer literacy
• Leadership skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Good conflict management skills
• Extension methods skills
• Technical reporting and writing skills
• Training skills
• Knowledge of basic animal health

1.   RESPONSIBILITY1.1  For work of others

This factor is not identified with this job

For property

The job requires the incumbent to ensure safekeeping and proper use of drugs and vaccines and other equipment as well as residential and office furniture in the area.

For budget and finance in general

The incumbent is responsible for development of the sectional budget.

1.4  For safety of others

This factor is not identified with this job

1.5  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.

3   COMPLEXITY3.1  Authority for decision-making

This factor is not identified with this job

3.2  Problem solving

The job requires the incumbent to solve disputes among communities.

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 minimal in this job.

4  CONTACTS

The incumbent comes into contacts with the following officers/offices during the execution of duties: