Background: 

To accelerate shared and sustained economic growth in Lesotho, the UN system in Lesotho and the Government of Lesotho have launched a joint programme on economic growth and development.

The programme aims to make a concerted effort to strengthen the value chains and sustainable livelihoods, especially at the small and medium scale level. Special efforts will be made towards promoting employment opportunities for women, encouraging women entrepreneurship activities through appropriate skills training, business advisory services and development of value chains to encourage greater production and consequent economic growth.

The Joint programme on economic growth and development targets the four districts, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Thaba-Tseka and Berea, and supports the joint programmes on maternal, neonatal and child health; HIV prevention; and nutrition.  This joint programme is the first of its kind in the country and it combines the skills and expertise of a number of agencies, including non-resident ones.

Duties and responsibilities:

The facilitator organisation is expected to conduct sensitisation of relevant stakeholders and organise local economic development workshops in all four districts to map the value chains, gaps and potential in these districts. In addition, the facilitating organization is to make recommendations for economic development, potential employment and sustainable livelihoods creation.

Expected Output:

The facilitating organisation is expected to conduct sensitisation of relevant stakeholders, participatory workshops in all four districts and produce a final report covering each district separately. The report analyses the situation on the ground and makes further recommendations for improving poverty reduction through economic development and employment creation.

REQUIREMENTS:

Competencies:

-   Extensive experience in local economic development and value      chain analysis

-   Excellent workshop facilitation skills

-   Familiarity with the four districts and their economic activities

-   Established structures for similar arrangements to facilitate quick implementation

-   Computer skills.

Qualifications:

-   The team leader needs to have an academic degree in economics or other relevant field

-   Fluency in Sesotho is necessary

DEADLINE for applications: 29 October 2010

Please apply online in the UNDP Website http://jobs.undp.org/. All applications need to include a costed proposal how the work would be conducted.

This consultancy is open to local organizations only.