SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II – REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: PROJECT FIELD OFFICER LERIBE  

Kingdom of Lesotho 

           MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

                        SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST 

(CONSULTING SERVICES- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION METHOD) 

LOAN NO:                      P164486 

CREDIT NO:                   IDA -63580 -LS 

ASSIGNMENT TITLE:   PROJECT FIELD OFFICER LERIBE                                  

REFERENCE NO:           

DURATION:              :         12 MONTHS 

REPORTING TO      :      PROJECT DIRECTOR 

BACKGROUND 

The Government of Lesotho is implementing the Smallholder Agricultural Development Project (SADP) 2 with financial support from the World Bank, the Government of Japan and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project covers ten districts – Maseru, Leribe, Botha-Bothe, Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka, Berea Mafeteng, Mohale’sHoek, Quthing and Qacha’sNek. SADP is coordinated by the Project Management unit (PMU) based in Maseru. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Under direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Field Officer will be responsible for addressing the Project’s Project implementation in their assigned districts for all activities of Component 1 and 2.

DUTIES

1. Participate in the preparation of annual work plans and budget for the Implementation of SADP funded activities.
   1. Disseminate information and organize orientation session in the district to inform Districts   officials, communities and other stakeholders of the objectives, Implementation modalities, progress and impact of the different project activities.
   1. For Sub-component 1.1 and Sub component 1.2, the PFO will collaborate with the PMU Climate Smart Agricultural Officer to support the implementations of the Climate Smart Agriculture technologies by providing information on the Project, facilitating linkages between Non-Governmental Organizations and farmers, and undertake the demonstrations and trials and field days.
   1. For Sub-Component 1.3 the PFO will help the PMU Irrigation Engineer to identify, design, award contracts to the international firms and implement the irrigation schemes to be rehabilitated and modernized. This is one of the core responsibilities of the PFO.
   1. For Sub- Component 1.4, The PFO will support the development of real time agro weather forecasting and marketing information system and their dissemination tools to improve farmers’ long-term capacity for adopting climate Smart Agriculture technologies, managing weather shocks and climate risks, and sustaining agricultural production under changing climatic conditions.
   1. For sub-component 2.1, the PFO will support the formation of alliances for service and marketed related activities that are new as well as to strengthen the sustainable existing alliances.
   1. For Sub Component 2.2, the PFO will collaborate with the Grants Officer to target support to commercial and semi commercial off-takers (micro, small and medium agro enterprises) to drive their operations towards more lucrative domestic and export markets while at the same time providing smallholder farmers opportunities for increasing agricultural productivity and commercialization.
   1. Present the PMU at districts meetings, as delegated by the PMU Project Manager.
   1.  Brief district administration on Project activities on a regular basis.

QUALIFICATION

• B.Sc in Agriculture, Agronomy or related discipline.

EXPERIENCE

• 3 to 5 years of professional experience in Agricultural production
• In-depth knowledge of agriculture in Lesotho.
• Sesotho and English Fluency

Skills/Abilities

• Community leadership and mentoring skills, able to support, motivate and liaise effectively with community groups.
• Ability and experience in workshop facilitation and giving presentation in both formal and non-formal settings.
• Ability to develop training programs and lessons plans
• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and lead a team of communities.

CONTRACT DURATION AND CONDITION

•           Contract duration is one year, but renewable upon satisfactory performance of the incumbent and subject to business continuity and availability of funds. The assignment is planned to condescendence by May 2027.

FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT

The client shall render the officer with all such facilities as may be reasonably required to enable the officer to discharge his/her duties that is office space laptop/computer, landline telephone, and transport project-related duties.

The short-listed candidate will be requested to participate in personal interviews and submit the names and contact details of personal referees who can attest to their abilities. A pre-employment screening and background check will be done on all short-listed candidates. The successful candidate must understand the objectives and delivery mechanisms of the project’s portfolio. He/she must be willing to work in a team, be flexible to emerging or changing conditions, and undertake initiative in his/her broad field of action.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III paragraph 3.14 to 3.17 of THE WORLD BANK’S Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, PROCUREMENT IN INVESTMENT PROJECT FINANCING Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, Sixth Edition, February 2025, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A consultant will be selected in accordance with selection of Individual Consultants Method set out in Procurement Regulations.

SUBMISSION

Information required from candidates.

• Signed application letters stating explicitly relevant qualifications and experience.
• Provide current CV’s (including telephone, email and contact details).
• Certified copies of educational certificates and transcripts.
• Provide names and contact details of three (3) contactable professional referees.
• Certified copy of an Identity Document (ID).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

SUBMISSION: Interested candidates should deliver their applications to the address below not later than the 9^th March 2026 at 16.00 hours.

Human Resources Department

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition

80 Constitution Road

P.O. Box 24

Maseru 100

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