Background

Office description

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Project description 

The Government of Lesotho (GoL) has been confronted with unprecedented and intertwined socio-economic development, environmental and political challenges for the past five decades. These include among many others; the scourge of unemployment, increasing levels of multidimensional poverty, slow economic growth, land degradation, inadequate human resource base with the required skills compounded by the country’s already fragile political landscape that have resulted in political instability and a security crisis.

Most developing countries, especially those at an embryonic stage of economic development have embarked on formulating national visions that represent their long–term plans. It is, thus, believed that formulation of these long-term development plans will result in both sustainable economic growth and development. Similarly, in the year 2000, Lesotho took a policy decision to formulate a National Vision 2020 aimed at providing a long-term perspective within which short to medium-term plans could be made. The Vision 2020, officially approved in 2003, presented a broad framework of how Basotho would like to see their country by the year 2020. It provided a holistic approach to long term planning, and further outlined the process through which five-year National Development Plans are produced and anchored on.

The Vision 2020 is the blueprint that has guided the country’s development for the past two decades and was articulated through the following vision statement: “By the year 2020 Lesotho shall be a stable democracy, a united and prosperous nation at peace with itself and its neighbours. It shall have a healthy and well-developed human resource base. Its economy will be strong; its environment well managed and its technology well established.” The progress towards Vision 2020 realization was anchored on four thematic areas of Peace, Justice and Politics, Human development, Economic development and Environmental management under seven “Pillars” of development. The Vision 2020 was being implemented through medium-term planning frameworks. That is, the Poverty Reduction Strategy (2004 – 2007, Interim National Development Framework (2009/10–2010/11), National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) I (2012/13-2017/18) and NSDP II (2018/19 – 2022/23).

While the National Vision 2020 came to a conclusion, the government in consultation with relevant stakeholders has decided to develop another long-term Vision to guide the country’s development pathway beyond 2020. The new National Vision will redefine the country’s development priorities and aspirations for the coming decades. This initiative aims to foster a shared vision of the desired future through a participatory process involving government agencies, civil society, the private sector, and development partners. Utilizing a proven conceptual, methodological, and analytical framework, the objective is to build national consensus, reduce uncertainty, anticipate change, and prepare the country for it. Upon completion, this exercise should yield a reference framework for developing short, medium, and long-term strategies.

The development of the national vision presents an opportunity for Basotho to think, talk and debate about the Lesotho they wish to see tomorrow. It will give the authorities the opportunity to guide the nation in their quest for answers to key questions that will help define, choose, and build their desired future. These questions include:

• Where do we come from as a country and people?
• Where are we today?
• Where can we go?
• Where do we want to go, given the major internal and external dynamics and challenges?
• How can we get there: by what route (strategy), and in what stages or sequences?

These five questions determine the essence of the five phases in the development of the National Vision, detailed on the concept note, namely:

1. the inception stage.
2. the elaboration of prospective studies.
3. the nationwide consultations for people aspiration.
4. the construction of scenarios which are possible futures for Lesotho, taking into account the major internal and external dynamics.
5. the formulation of the National Vision.

The exercise is based on maximum use of national expertise, the strengthening of which is one of the key elements, in close combination with international expertise. The development of the national vision will mainstream other international and regional frameworks where Lesotho is a member such as the AU Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.

UNDP is supporting the Government of Lesotho to develop the National Vision “Lesotho 2050” which will be facilitate by a National Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and the direct supervision of the Senior Economic Advisor, the National Vision Coordinator will support the Government of Lesotho for the development of the National Vision “Lesotho 2050”, through a participatory and inclusive process based on an in-depth diagnosis of the country’s situation, its strengths and weaknesses, and the opportunities to be seized.

As part of the process, the coordinator will make assessment of Lesotho’s development challenges, manage thematic consultants, build capacity of the secretariat, and support partnership and resources mobilization for the preparation of the new national vision for Lesotho.

Specifically, the National Vision Coordinator is expected to:

Ensure facilitation of national capacity development and knowledge building in support of the National Vision development, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Define the process roadmap based on the concept note;
• Mentor, guide and provide technical support to the Secretariat, as required, with a view of strengthening their capacity on National Vision development:
  • Organize and facilitate the process official launch;
  • Organize and facilitate the capacity building workshop for National Vision institutional structures;
  • Draft a communication plan.

Provide high quality input to research and analysis and policy advisory, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Set up the analysis database made up of all relevant documentation (including audio-visual) that enables to grasp Lesotho political, economic and socio-cultural constraints, as well as its national, regional and global issues, and the dynamics that seem to be determining its present and future;
• Compilation, analysis and interpretation of economic and statistical data relevant to country’s development assets, opportunities and constraints;
• Preparation of top quality relevant socio-economic briefs/reports;
• Identify the subject of the retrospective studies on issues and themes whose dynamics influenced the country’s development landscape and have a bearing on the future;
• Manage the consultancy teams in charge of the retrospective studies, the scenarios development and the compilation of the National Vision document;
• Assures quality review of the studies outputs;
• Organize the studies validation workshops.

Facilitate inclusive consultations during the National Vision development process, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organize and facilitate the studies validations and disseminations;
• Organize and facilitate the nation wide consultations which will examine the results of the retrospective studies and gather the aspirations of the various segments of the population with regard to the desired future;
• Manage the national consultants team in charge of the facilitation of the nation wide consultations;
• Synthesize results of the consultations and identify strategic direction for the national vision.

Ensure creation of strategic partnership and resource mobilization, focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Establish and maintain dialogue with Government officials, UN agencies, civil society organizations, private sector, partners, and donors;
• Develops periodic progress reports for management and structures;
• Supports programming work and participates effectively in coordination forums and framework where requested;
• Develop communication tools to support resource mobilization;
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation;
• Develop proposals to submit to development partners for the project financing gap.

Institutional Arrangement

The National Vision Coordinator works under the direct supervision of the UNDP Senior Economic Advisor and collaborates closely with the Department of Policy and Strategic Planning Department (Minister of Finance and Development Planning – MFDP) on day to day activities.

Competencies

Core 

Achieve Results – LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively – LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously – LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility – LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination – LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner – LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion – LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-functional and technical competencies 

Business Direction & Strategy-System Thinking – Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Development-Knowledge Facilitation-Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Business Management-Project Management-Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Partnership Management – Strategic Engagement

Business Management – Communication  – Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience – Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Management  – Monitoring and Evaluation – Ability to systematically monitor results of  strategies, programmes, and activities with a view  to make sure that they are being implemented  effectively; Ability to provide managers and key  stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting  on the consistency or discrepancy between  planned activities and programme management  and results – Ability to make independent judgment of the  management and results of strategies,  programmes and activities based on set criteria  and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and  concerns of client, current and upcoming.  Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and  evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies,  systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an  independent judgement based on set criteria and  benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming  needs and concerns.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Public Policy Analysis, Statistics or any other related field of study. or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Minimum years of relevant work experience

•  Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in providing national planning, strategic planning, or sector wide planning processes advisory services.

Required Skills 

• Excellent facilitation skills and experience in managing inclusive and participatory processes, capable of guiding diverse groups through complex, sensitive discussions and strategic decision-making processes;
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
• Knowledge and experience in relevant thematic area.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Previous experience with government or international agencies will be an added advantage;
• Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects is desirable;
• Experience in networking  and partnership development;
• Good coordination experience.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Sesotho is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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