VACANCY RE-ADVERTISEMENT: BROADCASTING OFFICER

VACANCY RE-ADVERTISEMENT: BROADCASTING OFFICER

The Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) is the regulatory body for the communications sector in Lesotho. Following the adoption of the Lesotho Telecommunications Policy of 1999, the Authority was established by an Act of Parliament in 2000. Presently, the Authority operates under the Communications Act of 2012 to regulate Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs), Broadcasting, and postal services.

LCA invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the position of Broadcasting Officer reporting to the Licensing and Compliance Manager.

Job Summary

The Broadcasting Officer is responsible for monitoring broadcasting operators’ compliance with the broadcasting code, licence conditions, and all other relevant legislation. This includes monitoring broadcast content, ensuring adherence to ethical and content guidelines, handling any complaints against broadcasters, and providing secretarial services to the Broadcasting Dispute Resolution Panel (BDRP).

Key Responsibilities

1. Broadcast Monitoring and Compliance.

• Regularly review and monitor broadcasting programme content to ensure compliance with broadcasting legislation, guidelines, and codes of conduct.
• Conduct regular compliance audits of broadcasters, identifying non-compliance issues, and recommending corrective actions.
• Receive, record, investigate, and resolve complaints from the public and stakeholders regarding broadcasting content and non-compliance.
• Prepare reports on the findings of content monitoring activities and submit them to the Manager – Licensing and Compliance.

2. Broadcasting Regulation and Implementation.

• Ensure that broadcasting operators adhere to broadcasting legislation, licence conditions, and guidelines.
• Collaborate with broadcasters and other stakeholders to provide guidance on changes in broadcasting regulations and their implications.
• Assist in developing and updating broadcasting standards and policies to ensure they reflect changes in technology, public expectations, and industry trends.
• Provide training and awareness programs for broadcasters on ethical standards, regulatory updates, and compliance requirements.
• Gather feedback from broadcasters and the public on policy implementation to support future revisions or improvements.

3. Collaboration and Stakeholder Relations.

• Act as the primary point of contact for broadcasters and the public regarding content standards, regulatory updates, and broadcasting compliance.
• Work with other sections within the Authority to ensure consistent enforcement of regulatory standards across the sector.
• Respond to public inquiries and concerns about broadcasting content, ensuring that all communications are transparent and supportive of regulatory objectives.
• Support public relations efforts by communicating the Authority’s role, activities, and objectives and educating consumers and the public on their rights and obligations.

4. Provides secretarial services and support to the Broadcasting Dispute Resolution Panel (Panel)

• Prepare for the sittings of the Panel by coordinating logistics, preparing agendas, and distributing relevant documents to the Panel members
• Receive and review complaints for eligibility and prepare them for the Panel’s consideration.
• Serve as a point of contact for the Panel between complainants and broadcasters.
• Take minutes and record the proceedings of the panel meetings and produce records.
• Securely maintain custody of the records of the documents for the Panel.

5. Continuous Improvement and Innovation.

• Identify opportunities to improve the broadcasting compliance process, making it more efficient and user-friendly for broadcasters and stakeholders.
• Encourage the adoption of new technologies and platforms for content monitoring and regulatory compliance, ensuring adaptability to new broadcasting trends.
• Analyze trends in the broadcasting sector to ensure that regulatory frameworks remain relevant and responsive to technological advancements.
• Implement best practices from international regulatory bodies and adapt them to the local broadcasting environment.
• Support research initiatives to enhance the regulatory framework and keep pace with evolving broadcasting technologies.

Qualification and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in law (LLB).
• Admitted to practice in the Courts of Law of Lesotho.

Competencies

• Knowledge of broadcasting legislation: Knowledge of broadcasting legal and regulatory framework, standards, content regulation, and ethical guidelines.
• Compliance Skills: Ability to monitor and enforce compliance with laws, regulations, and standards.
• Analytical Skills: Excellent analytical abilities to assess and identify non-compliance and provide actionable recommendations.
• Communication and presentation skills: Effective verbal and written communication skills, in both Sesotho and English, with the ability to deliver presentations.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strong interpersonal skills for building professional relationships with stakeholders and the public.
• Proactiveness and self-drive: Ability to take initiative, identify problems, and take proactive steps to resolve them.
• Report writing: Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate reports and other relevant documentation.
• Secretarial and Administrative Skills: Ability to organize meetings, prepare agendas, produce minutes and a record of proceedings, and manage documentation.
• Strong Ethical Integrity: Strong commitment to fairness, impartiality, and upholding high professional standards.
• Teamwork and collaboration: Ability to work effectively with colleagues and provide support where required.

Tenure

The position is permanent and pensionable.

Remuneration

The LCA offers an attractive and competitive package for the position.

How to Apply

Application letters accompanied by certified copies of relevant certificates and transcripts, curriculum vitae, and the names and addresses of three referees should be emailed to [email protected] on or before 30 May 2025, at noon.