Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. It is our intention to promote representativity (race, gender and disability) in the Department through the filling of these posts and candidates whose appointment/promotion/transfer will promote representativity will receive preference.
Post: Agricultural Advisor
Ref No: AA (X13 POSTS)
Duration: 3 Year Contract
Remuneration: R397 116 per annum (Level 08)
Centre: Glen Xhariep District: Jacobsdal and Philipolis Mangaung Metro: Botshabelo Thabo Mofutsanyana District: Vrede, Warden, Petrusteyn, Bethlehem, Ficksburg and Ladybrand Lejweleputswa District: Welkom, Hoopstad and Virginia
Requirements: Grade 12 plus an NQF Level 8 qualification in Agriculture or equivalent appropriate tertiary qualification as recognised by SAQA. No experience required. Compulsory registration with a South African Council Natural Scientific Professions National professional body (SACNASP) or other applicable and recognised statutory body. Valid driver’s license (with exception of people with disabilities)
Duties: Implement identified agricultural development programmes: Conduct situation analysis to identify the real needs; Develop action plans which includes establishing possible solutions and determining resources required; Facilitate the implementation of best practices and technologies; Monitor agricultural development programs. Facilitate access to supporting structures (e.g. transport, market access, municipal services, water and electricity, Government funded projects etc.) and promote record keeping by all clients. Render scientific and technical agricultural extension services to internal and external clients: Facilitate the development of farm business plans; Provide support for the implementation of projects (e.g. CASP, Ilima, etc.); Conduct/facilitate demonstrations of farming/production methods to ensure efficient utilization of resources like soil, water, veld, money, etc.; Present/organise farmers days, information sessions etc.; Conduct regular farm visits and use visitation tools for impact assessment; Provide functional inputs as required by departmental staff; Attend and arrange farmers meeting in the area of operations. Obtain advice/services from relevant specialists (e.g. Professional Scientist, Engineering and Economist etc.) and establish networks and linkages with all relevant stakeholders. Provide support for the development of research and training activities: Identify research and training needs of clients; Empower and build capacity of producers, commodity groups to ensure self-reliance; Facilitate access to farmer training based on the training needs; Monitor the application of new skills/knowledge acquired by clients and provide information on production constraints to the Subject Matter Specialist for further action. Perform administrative and related functions which would, inter alia, entail the following: Keep relevant databases (including a register of farmers within area of operation) up to date; Compile and submit monthly, quarterly reports and other periodic reports as may be required; Provide guidance to internal clients, co-workers etc.; Comply with the Public Service prescripts and departmental policies. Safe keeping of physical assets (where applicable); Keep up to date with regard to the applicable prescripts, policies, procedures, technologies and new developments to be able to render an efficient and effective extension service. Ensure service delivery through appropriate utilization of designated ICT tools/systems: Source new information technology required from inputs from specialists and make use of decision support tools as required; Make use of the applicable information and communication tools as determined by government.
Enquiries: Ms N F Ngulube at 079 228 1042
Applications:
Quoting the reference number, must be forwarded to Mrs S Hlekiso, Private Bag X02, Bloemfontein, 9301 or delivered by Hand to Mrs S Hlekiso in Room 228, 2nd Floor, Admin Building,
Due Date: 06 June 2025
NOTE: Applications must be submitted on form Z83. Only shortlisted candidates will submit transcript of results, Qualification certificates, driver’s license, identity document and a C.V. Shortlisted candidates who possess foreign qualifications and/or short courses certificates must take it upon themselves to have their qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and must please attach proof of the level of their qualifications after evaluation on all applications. Applicants are requested to complete the Z83 form properly and in full. Applications received after the due date and those that do not comply with these instructions will not be considered. The onus is on the applicants to ensure that their applications are posted or hand delivered timeously. Applicants are respectfully informed that if no notification of appointment is received within 4 months of the due date, they must accept that their application was unsuccessful. Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record check, citizenship verification, financial / asset record check, qualification / study verification and previous employment verification). Successful candidates will also be subjected to security clearance processes. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend a generic managerial competency assessment (in compliance with the DPSA Directive on the implementation of competency based assessments).
