I. General information

Title:                         Programme Manager

Duration:                    Service Contract 1 year (with potential                                 renewal up to 3 years)

Time Commitment:        Full time

Supervisor:                  UNDP Governance Specialist

Duty Station:               Maseru, Lesotho

II. Organizational Context

Consolidation of Democracy and Good Governance in Lesotho (CDGG) is a four year programme jointly funded by the government of Ireland and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is designed to provide support to:

1)  Harmonization and streamlining of the electoral legislation to ensure that   elections add value to democratic governance and foster political stability

2)  Parliamentary reforms to improve the effectiveness of the legislature in its three pronged mandate of law-making, representation and oversight

3)  The promotion and protection of human rights in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The programme Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the programme to the Governance Specialist and through him to the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. S/he will coordinate the work on a daily basis with the head of the Governance Unit in the UNDP Country Office. S/he will be a seasoned expert in one or several of the substantive areas related to consolidation of democracy, and will bring this expertise to bear to create linkages and synergies between the programme components.

The Programme Manager works closely with national counterparts to prepare strategies and work plans for the programme on “Consolidation of Democracy and Good Governance”.

The Programme Manager ensures proper project documentation and prepares regular Progress Reports for the Programme Board. Where needed, s/he would provide technical assistance and coordination support to the preparation by national partners of Annual Work Plans and assist the design of implementation strategies and budgets. The Programme Manager will also work closely with the Development Partners that are providing support to the project and ensure information-sharing on essential progress issues

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

.    Provides strategic leadership to programme implementation;

.    Performs programme management functions in support of the national

     Implementing Partners (Parliament, IEC, the Ministry of Justice and Human

     Rights and Ombudsman) and UNDP;

.    Ensures the provision of effective technical assistance to project

     implementation;

.   Provides innovative and proactive liaison and coordination services to

    project steering, implementation and dissemination;

.   Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Please refer to the detailed Terms of Reference available on www.undp.org.ls/jobs

IV. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:     Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:    At least five years of experience in analytical and practical work in such areas as (a) working with parliament, electoral management bodies and human rights institutions (b) institutional analysis and design, development planning, project design and implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects/programmes.

Experience in democratic processes in Africa.

Leadership and project management skills, including strong project monitoring skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Experience and proficiency in the use of computers and office software packages

Language:         Excellent written and spoken English

Nationality:        Vacancy only open for Lesotho nationals

Applications with comprehensive CVs and names and contact details of three referees should be submitted by email on or before 12 September 2009 to registry.ls@undp.org 

Alternatively, the same can be hand-delivered or posted to the following address:

Resident Representative

United Nations Development Programme

3rd Floor, UN House

P.O.Box 301

Maseru

Closing date for applications: 12 September 2009

Expected work start date:          1st October, 2009

Only short listed candidates will be responded to.

Salary negotiable and commensurate with work experience and qualifications.