Background:

The Government of Lesotho (GoL) is currently starting to prepare a five year National Development Plan (NDP) for Lesotho, which will cover the period 2012/13 – 2016/17.

In order to facilitate smooth and broad consultation and participation in preparing the NDP, various committees will be created and some of the already existing structures will be used. The NDP will primarily be prepared by the Technical/Sector Working Groups, under the coordination and leadership of the Coordinator. Coordinating different actors participating in the same sector, working towards a common purpose is crucial in avoiding duplication of development efforts and policy consistency and coherence.

Duties and responsibilities:

The NDP coordinator is responsible for coordinating the preparation of NDP under the direct supervision and guidance of the Chief Executive for Economic Policy and Planning. More specifically, the NDP Coordinator:

·  is directly responsible for coordinating preparation of NDP, including the budgeted planning process

·  leads the process of sensitization of stakeholders on plan preparation

·  mobilizes resources for NDP preparation in collaboration with relevant departments

·  manages technical assistance and other resources provided by the Government and development partners for the preparation of the NDP

·  proposes and reviews the proposed analytical frameworks for undertaking sector  diagnostics and preparing strategic frameworks and other inputs

·  facilitates meetings, workshops and other for a held in the context of NDP preparation

·  facilitates consolidation of inputs and editing to prepare draft(s) NDP

Expected Output:

·  Budget revisions and preparation of a composite action plan for NDP process

·  Overall management and supervision of the process and timely implementation

·  Monthly progress reports to the Management of MFDP and other stakeholders

·  Compiling the SWG drafts into one NDP

REQUIREMENTS:

The coordinator’s position is open to all nationals who fulfil the following criteria:

Education:       

A Masters or Postgraduate Degree in Economics or other relevant field

Experience:                  

·  A minimum of 5 years work experience in project management and national planning

·  Experience in macroeconomic planning

·  Extensive experience in public policy issues, impact and expenditure analysis

·  Experience in poverty analysis

·  Excellent facilitation, coordination  and analytical skills and experience on wide stakeholder consultations

·  Familiarity with Lesotho’s Vision 2020, national development processes and policy documents

Languages:      

Excellent oral and written skills in English and Sesotho are necessary

DEADLINE for applications: 08 October 2010

Please apply online in the UNDP Corporate website http://jobs.undp.org/. All applications should include a comprehensive CV and names and contact details of three referees.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.