MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
VACANCIES
SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
VACANCIES
BACKGROUND
The Government of Lesotho is implementing the Smallholder Agricultural
Development Project (SADP) with financial support from IFAD and The World Bank.
The project covers four districts – Leribe, Botha-Bothe, Berea and Mafeteng. SADP
is coordinated by the Project Management unit (PMU) based in Maseru.
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security invites applications from interested
Basotho candidates to fill two vacant positions of Project Manager and Project
Accountant at SADP –PMU.
1. PROJECT MANAGER:
Duty Station: Maseru with intensive travelling to Project Districts.
Period: Two (2) years with possibility of one year extension
RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
The Project Manager would report to the Principal Secretary, Ministry of
Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and the Project Management Committee
overseeing Project implementation. On a day to day basis he/she will work in close
cooperation with the Director Field Services and Director Planning Policy Analysis,
of Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The Project Manager will be responsible for the following tasks:
(a) Oversee all matters pertaining to the smooth implementation of the project,
and manage and guide the project implementation with a view to enhance
development effectiveness and impact in line with project objectives;
(b) Lead the preparation of the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) in the
context of the project design and available financing, and oversee the
implementation of the activities as per the approved AWPB;
(c) Provide overall oversight to the process of recruitment of the project support
staff and consulting service providers;
(d) Act as the secretary to the Project Coordinating Committee and ensure the
implementation of its recommendations;
(e) Oversee and ensure smooth flow and proper utilisation of project funds;
(f ) Manage the day-to-day operation/functioning of the PMU;
(g) Directly supervise and guide the PMU staff and evaluate their performance;
(h) In liaison with the Component Managers and District Agriculture Officers,
oversee the performance of the Project Field Facilitators and provide guidance;
(i) Ensure that project implementation and management comply with the Project
Financing Agreement between the Government and the World Bank/IFAD.
Project Implementation Manual (PIM) and other specific operations manuals,
and relevant Government and World Bank/IFAD policies and guidelines;
(j) Ensure compliance with all reporting requirements under the Project (e.g.
progress reports, financial statements, audit reports, etc.);
(k) Network and coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders (government
institutions, civil society organisations, private sector, farmer associations,
development partners) where relevant and as appropriate, for their inputs into
the implementation process and/or dissemination of experiences;
(l) Represent the Project in national and international arenas as appropriate and
share the experience and lessons;
(m) Keep abreast of contemporary issues in agricultural development in the
country, assessing their relevant to and implications for SADP and guide
strategy and implementation in the context of the Project design, as may be
appropriate;
(n) Ensure appropriate arrangements necessary for supervision and other
missions fielded by the World Bank/IFAD;
(o) Safe keeping and up-keeping of all Project assets.
Qualifications, Experience and Skills
• Have Master’s degree in Agriculture, Project Planning, Economics, Social
Science, Business Management or a relevant field from a recognized University.
Relevant post graduate qualification and work experience in the agriculture
sector of Lesotho will be an added advantage;
• Be a professional of high standing;
• Proven managing skills and have a good understanding of participatory
approaches to activity–based planning, budgeting and accounting;
• Full command in planning and budgeting as well as of M&E
• Have 10 years working experience 5 of which must be at senior management;
• Have clear understanding of government policies and operations;
• Be up to date with the reform process in the relevant sectors;
• Be computer literate and able to apply basic software for the project;
• Be conversant with appropriate technologies used in the various project
components;
• Be able to mobilize funds and be familiar with development partners and
financiers;
• Be able to work in a multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary professional setup;
• Have proposal and report writing skills;
• Be able to communicate in national language and English;
• Have strong leadership, training and communication skills.
2. PROJECT ACCOUNTANT
Duty Station: Maseru with frequent travelling to Accounts offices
in the Project Districts.
Period: Two (2) years with possibility of one year extension
RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
Under direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Accountant will be
responsible for addressing the Project’s financial requirements, reporting and for
ensuring that all disbursements by the project funds are in compliance with the
applicable guidelines, rules and procedures.
The Project Accountant will be responsible for the following tasks:
(a) Undertake the project’s financial planning, including the contribution to the
preparation of Annual Work Plans and Budget, especially advising the budget/
cost centres in terms of the preparation of realistic budgets, rolling cash flow
projections in line with the funding demands of the project activities;
(b) Oversee the establishment of the project’s accounting system;
(c) Put in place an appropriate system for proper financial management and
internal control;
(d) Maintain the project’s books of account;
(e) Regularly compile and submit financial progress reports, including the
expenditures by cost centres, expenditures by components and category
commitments, the budget execution performance against the AWPB and flag
any issue requiring management action;
(f ) Regularly reconcile the book of accounts with the banks, Accountant General’s
records and the World Bank /IFAD records;
(g) Prepare withdrawal applications to be submitted and facilitate the timely
replenishment of the Special Account and timely disbursement and payments
to key project partners and service providers;
(h) Ensure that additional cost centres are adequately trained and safe keep all
expenditure documentation related to Statement of Expenditure in a central
location and timely submit financial reports as required;
(i) Ensure that all project staff and executing agencies adhere to the project’s
financial procedures as detailed in the Project Implementation Manual (PIM)
and in line with the Financing Agreement with the World Bank/IFAD, and
provide advances and support as may be required;
(j) Visit the districts and resolve any financial accounting and reporting issues if
necessary;
(k) Liaise with relevant departments in the Ministries of Finance and Development
Planning from time to time to ensure full compliance with GOL financial
regulations, procedures, practices and circulars;
(l) Produce the financial statements at the end of each financial year for audit in
accordance with the Financial Agreement with the World Bank/IFAD;
(m) Prepare the terms of reference for audit and ensure timely start of the audit
process
(n) Ensure that auditors are availed all the necessary documents during the audit.
Qualifications, experience and skills
Have a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounts options) or Finance or Business
Administration degree from a recognized University plus professional accounting
qualification (CA);
• Have 5 years working experience in a similar position;
• Be familiar with financial management/accounting in a government ministry/
department and donor-funded projects;
• Be computer literate, especially in electronic spreadsheet, and other specialized
accounting packages preferably FINPRO/TOMPRO;
• Have a good working knowledge of accounting, personnel and procurement
policies and procedures;
• Have a good working knowledge on: (a) banking, and (b) financial control;
• Have strong leadership and communication skills.
• Be fluent in both English and national language;
Interested Candidates should hand deliver a covering letter together with current
CV, copies of certified certificates and educational transcripts to:
Director Human Resource
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Headquarters
P.O. Box 24
Maseru.
The closing Date for applications is July 03, 2015 at 16:15hrs 2015.
The Government of Lesotho is implementing the Smallholder Agricultural
Development Project (SADP) with financial support from IFAD and The World Bank.
The project covers four districts – Leribe, Botha-Bothe, Berea and Mafeteng. SADP
is coordinated by the Project Management unit (PMU) based in Maseru.
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security invites applications from interested
Basotho candidates to fill two vacant positions of Project Manager and Project
Accountant at SADP –PMU.
1. PROJECT MANAGER:
Duty Station: Maseru with intensive travelling to Project Districts.
Period: Two (2) years with possibility of one year extension
RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
The Project Manager would report to the Principal Secretary, Ministry of
Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and the Project Management Committee
overseeing Project implementation. On a day to day basis he/she will work in close
cooperation with the Director Field Services and Director Planning Policy Analysis,
of Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The Project Manager will be responsible for the following tasks:
(a) Oversee all matters pertaining to the smooth implementation of the project,
and manage and guide the project implementation with a view to enhance
development effectiveness and impact in line with project objectives;
(b) Lead the preparation of the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) in the
context of the project design and available financing, and oversee the
implementation of the activities as per the approved AWPB;
(c) Provide overall oversight to the process of recruitment of the project support
staff and consulting service providers;
(d) Act as the secretary to the Project Coordinating Committee and ensure the
implementation of its recommendations;
(e) Oversee and ensure smooth flow and proper utilisation of project funds;
(f ) Manage the day-to-day operation/functioning of the PMU;
(g) Directly supervise and guide the PMU staff and evaluate their performance;
(h) In liaison with the Component Managers and District Agriculture Officers,
oversee the performance of the Project Field Facilitators and provide guidance;
(i) Ensure that project implementation and management comply with the Project
Financing Agreement between the Government and the World Bank/IFAD.
Project Implementation Manual (PIM) and other specific operations manuals,
and relevant Government and World Bank/IFAD policies and guidelines;
(j) Ensure compliance with all reporting requirements under the Project (e.g.
progress reports, financial statements, audit reports, etc.);
(k) Network and coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders (government
institutions, civil society organisations, private sector, farmer associations,
development partners) where relevant and as appropriate, for their inputs into
the implementation process and/or dissemination of experiences;
(l) Represent the Project in national and international arenas as appropriate and
share the experience and lessons;
(m) Keep abreast of contemporary issues in agricultural development in the
country, assessing their relevant to and implications for SADP and guide
strategy and implementation in the context of the Project design, as may be
appropriate;
(n) Ensure appropriate arrangements necessary for supervision and other
missions fielded by the World Bank/IFAD;
(o) Safe keeping and up-keeping of all Project assets.
Qualifications, Experience and Skills
• Have Master’s degree in Agriculture, Project Planning, Economics, Social
Science, Business Management or a relevant field from a recognized University.
Relevant post graduate qualification and work experience in the agriculture
sector of Lesotho will be an added advantage;
• Be a professional of high standing;
• Proven managing skills and have a good understanding of participatory
approaches to activity–based planning, budgeting and accounting;
• Full command in planning and budgeting as well as of M&E
• Have 10 years working experience 5 of which must be at senior management;
• Have clear understanding of government policies and operations;
• Be up to date with the reform process in the relevant sectors;
• Be computer literate and able to apply basic software for the project;
• Be conversant with appropriate technologies used in the various project
components;
• Be able to mobilize funds and be familiar with development partners and
financiers;
• Be able to work in a multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary professional setup;
• Have proposal and report writing skills;
• Be able to communicate in national language and English;
• Have strong leadership, training and communication skills.
2. PROJECT ACCOUNTANT
Duty Station: Maseru with frequent travelling to Accounts offices
in the Project Districts.
Period: Two (2) years with possibility of one year extension
RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
Under direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Accountant will be
responsible for addressing the Project’s financial requirements, reporting and for
ensuring that all disbursements by the project funds are in compliance with the
applicable guidelines, rules and procedures.
The Project Accountant will be responsible for the following tasks:
(a) Undertake the project’s financial planning, including the contribution to the
preparation of Annual Work Plans and Budget, especially advising the budget/
cost centres in terms of the preparation of realistic budgets, rolling cash flow
projections in line with the funding demands of the project activities;
(b) Oversee the establishment of the project’s accounting system;
(c) Put in place an appropriate system for proper financial management and
internal control;
(d) Maintain the project’s books of account;
(e) Regularly compile and submit financial progress reports, including the
expenditures by cost centres, expenditures by components and category
commitments, the budget execution performance against the AWPB and flag
any issue requiring management action;
(f ) Regularly reconcile the book of accounts with the banks, Accountant General’s
records and the World Bank /IFAD records;
(g) Prepare withdrawal applications to be submitted and facilitate the timely
replenishment of the Special Account and timely disbursement and payments
to key project partners and service providers;
(h) Ensure that additional cost centres are adequately trained and safe keep all
expenditure documentation related to Statement of Expenditure in a central
location and timely submit financial reports as required;
(i) Ensure that all project staff and executing agencies adhere to the project’s
financial procedures as detailed in the Project Implementation Manual (PIM)
and in line with the Financing Agreement with the World Bank/IFAD, and
provide advances and support as may be required;
(j) Visit the districts and resolve any financial accounting and reporting issues if
necessary;
(k) Liaise with relevant departments in the Ministries of Finance and Development
Planning from time to time to ensure full compliance with GOL financial
regulations, procedures, practices and circulars;
(l) Produce the financial statements at the end of each financial year for audit in
accordance with the Financial Agreement with the World Bank/IFAD;
(m) Prepare the terms of reference for audit and ensure timely start of the audit
process
(n) Ensure that auditors are availed all the necessary documents during the audit.
Qualifications, experience and skills
Have a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounts options) or Finance or Business
Administration degree from a recognized University plus professional accounting
qualification (CA);
• Have 5 years working experience in a similar position;
• Be familiar with financial management/accounting in a government ministry/
department and donor-funded projects;
• Be computer literate, especially in electronic spreadsheet, and other specialized
accounting packages preferably FINPRO/TOMPRO;
• Have a good working knowledge of accounting, personnel and procurement
policies and procedures;
• Have a good working knowledge on: (a) banking, and (b) financial control;
• Have strong leadership and communication skills.
• Be fluent in both English and national language;
Interested Candidates should hand deliver a covering letter together with current
CV, copies of certified certificates and educational transcripts to:
Director Human Resource
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Headquarters
P.O. Box 24
Maseru.
The closing Date for applications is July 03, 2015 at 16:15hrs 2015.
