MINISTRY OF HEALTH – LESOTHO
MINISTRY OF HEALTH CIRCULAR NOTICE NO. 1 OF 2026
Circular Reference: H/CIR/4

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following position tenable in the Ministry of Health.

Manager Community Health Based Care

Grade: I
Number of Positions: 1
Reports to: Director Primary Health Care

Job Summary

The Community-Based Health Services Manager provides strategic, technical and operational leadership for the planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring and continuous improvement of community-based health services.

The position is responsible for strengthening community health systems, expanding equitable access to quality primary health care, and ensuring effective linkages between communities, health facilities, local authorities and other stakeholders.

Job Summary

Employer: Ministry of Health
Job Type: Full-time
Location: Maseru, Lesotho
Category: Healthcare
Closing Date: 2026-10-01

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic direction and technical leadership for community-based health programmes and services.
Develop, implement and periodically review community health strategies, operational plans and performance targets.
Ensure alignment of community-based interventions with national health policies, standards and organisational strategies.
Lead integration of community health interventions across primary health care and other relevant programmes.
Identify emerging community health needs and develop evidence-informed responses.
Promote accountability, performance, learning and continuous quality improvement.
Strengthen community health platforms and systems.
Develop effective linkages between communities, community health workers and health facilities.
Improve referral, counter-referral and follow-up mechanisms.
Support deployment, supervision, motivation and retention of community health workers and volunteers.
Promote community ownership and participation in health planning, implementation and monitoring.
Strengthen mechanisms for reaching underserved, vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations.
Lead community-level health promotion and disease prevention interventions.
Coordinate community interventions addressing maternal, newborn and child health, immunisation, nutrition, communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases.
Strengthen community awareness and demand for essential health services.
Promote healthy behaviours and community action.
Support community-based surveillance, early detection, notification and response to disease outbreaks.
Establish and strengthen systems for quality assurance.
Conduct regular supportive supervision, mentorship and performance reviews.
Monitor compliance with national standards and guidelines.
Identify service-delivery gaps and implement corrective actions.
Promote documentation and dissemination of successful approaches and lessons learned.
Lead development and monitoring of community health performance indicators.
Ensure timely, accurate and complete collection and reporting of community health data.
Promote use of health information for programme planning and decision-making.
Analyse trends and performance gaps.
Prepare technical and programme reports.
Establish and maintain relationships with government authorities, health facilities, communities, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders.
Represent the organisation in relevant technical working groups and coordination platforms.
Facilitate collaboration among partners working in community health.
Advocate for increased investment and resources for community-based health services.
Strengthen community accountability mechanisms.
Strengthen community capacity for preparedness and response to epidemics, disasters and public-health emergencies.
Ensure community health structures are integrated into emergency surveillance and response mechanisms.
Coordinate community mobilisation and risk communication during emergencies.
Support identification, referral and follow-up of suspected cases.
Contribute to programme budgeting and resource mobilisation.
Ensure efficient and accountable utilisation of programme resources.
Monitor availability and appropriate use of medicines, commodities and equipment.
Identify resource gaps and develop strategies to address them.
Assess capacity gaps among community health teams.
Develop appropriate training, coaching and mentorship programmes.
Strengthen leadership and management capacity.
Promote peer learning and knowledge sharing.
Document and disseminate innovations and best practices.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Nursing Science/Nursing (Generic) with specialty in Community Health, or Master’s in Public Health, plus 5 years’ experience in a health-related field .
OR
Post-graduate/Advanced Diploma in Nursing or Degree in Nursing (Generic) with specialty in Community Health plus 8 years’ relevant experience in a health-related field .
OR
Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery with specialty in Community Health plus 10 years’ relevant experience in a managerial position .
NB: Must register qualifications with the Lesotho Nursing Council and provide a valid Nursing Licence.

How to Apply

Address: P.O. Box 514

REF Code: H/CIR/4 | Vacancy Circular No: 1 OF 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to become a Manager Community Health Based Care in Lesotho?

You typically need a Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Public Health, or Community Health. A postgraduate qualification in Health Management or Public Health is highly advantageous. Registration with the Lesotho Nursing Council and at least 5-7 years of experience in community health services are usually required.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of this role?

You will supervise community health workers across multiple districts and coordinate home-based care programs. Daily tasks include monitoring service delivery, preparing reports for district health offices, and liaising with local chiefs and community councils. You also ensure adherence to Ministry of Health policies and manage supplies for community health programs.

How does the work culture in Lesotho's public health sector affect this position?

The work culture emphasizes respect for hierarchy and community consultation, requiring you to engage traditional leaders alongside clinical staff. You must be comfortable working in remote rural areas with limited infrastructure and adapting to bureaucratic processes common in government departments. Punctuality and relationship-building with local communities are highly valued.

What career progression opportunities exist for managers in community health in Lesotho?

With experience, you can advance to District Health Manager, Provincial Health Coordinator, or national-level positions at the Ministry of Health headquarters. Further specialization in areas like HIV/AIDS program management or maternal health opens doors to senior technical advisor roles. Some professionals transition to international NGOs or WHO/UNICEF positions with regional responsibilities.

What benefits typically come with this government position in Lesotho?

Public sector roles generally include pension contributions through the Lesotho Public Officers' Defined Contribution Pension Fund, annual leave of 21-30 days, and medical aid options through schemes like the Lesotho Government Medical Scheme. You may also receive housing or transport allowances depending on your grade level and remote posting location.

How should I apply for this position and what do employers look for?

Applications are submitted through the Ministry of Health or Public Service Commission portals, requiring certified copies of qualifications, registration certificates, and a detailed CV. Employers prioritize candidates with demonstrated community engagement experience, fluency in Sesotho and English, and proven ability to manage teams in resource-constrained settings. Strong references from previous health sector supervisors significantly strengthen your application.