VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

1. Background:
 

The integral functioning of Lesotho’s mountainous ecosystems is vital not only to the livelihoods and welfare of its people, but for the delivery of ecosystem services and global environmental benefits to a large part of Southern Africa. The mountainous Kingdom is the source of rivers that reach the Atlantic Ocean in the west and supply an increasing proportion of the water consumed in South Africa’s industrial heartland. SLM in Lesotho is therefore a vital ingredient of broader environmental wellbeing.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the local UNDP office and the Government of Lesotho will for the next four years (2010-2014) implement a project on “Capacity Building and Knowledge Management for Sustainable Land Management (SLM)”. Three project outcomes are intended namely:

·     Proven, strengthened, participatory, replicable models and techniques that successfully overcome current institutional and governance barriers to SLM are ready for national implementation.

·     Adequate local and national capacity for adapting and scaling up proven SLM models and techniques in place.

·     SLM Policy Enabling Environment - Enhanced awareness, dialogue, understanding and analysis of SLM best practice at resource user, community, local government, NGO and national government levels across the country, reflected in the relevant policies, strategies and programmes.

The Project Officer will be responsible for conducting field liaison and facilitating the development of a replicable SLM model. She/he will spend much of her/his time in the field, developing a detailed understanding of SLM issues and resource users in the project areas. This work will be carried out in consultation with the Ministry of Forestry & Land Reclamation, Ministry of Local Government, Chiefs and Community Councils (CCs).

2. Principal Responsibilities

• Facilitate formation of resource user groups (including those for livestock) and the formulation of governance principles (constitutions agreed in 7 CC areas).
• Facilitate preparation and enactment of SLM bye-laws by the 7 CCs and their approval by Minister of Local Government.
• Engage resource user groups to test the SLM model by implementing all its elements in the pilot areas, ensuring that the activities are climate-proofed.
• Train resource users on the SLM techniques and provide ongoing support and monitoring in the pilot areas.
• Training for resource user representatives, CC members and CC Secretaries as an integral part of the institutional development work. She/he will also facilitate training sessions at district and local levels.
• Facilitate the identification and piloting of viable income generating activities to reduce pressure on the natural resources as part of the SLM model.
• Undertake regular liaison and consultation visits to other areas, user groups and local/project authorities around Lesotho.
• Arrange and, where required, guide field visits between and to resource user groups.
• Proactively manage and monitor the project risks initially identified and maintain open channels of dialogue with Project Manager, flagging new risks and avoidance measures in a timely fashion.
• Perform other tasks as may be deemed appropriate.

3. Qualifications and Experience

• Post-graduate university qualification in natural science, environmental resource management or environmental economics. Candidates with similar qualifications in other relevant fields will also be considered.

• A minimum of five years relevant experience.

• The candidate should be an experienced, senior individual, capable of interacting with all levels of project stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, business executives, farmers and community groups. These competencies should be demonstrated through the documented delivery of substantial environment and development-related projects in Lesotho or abroad.

• The candidate should have experience of successful delivery at community-level. This includes liaison and facilitation work and an understanding of SLM challenges and opportunities.

• The candidate should have an understanding of the framework within public policy is conducted; specifically this entails a knowledge of the respective roles of government, NGOs and international agencies.

• Knowledge of disbursement, reporting and monitoring procedures is an advantage

• Fluency in Sesotho and English.

• The holder of a valid driving licence.

• Competency in Microsoft Office programs.

• The Project Officer should be prepared to work in difficult field conditions, spending at least half her/his time in the field, possibly needing to consider residence outside Maseru.

Applications with CV, cover letter and the contact details of three referees should be submitted by email on or before 26^th March, 2010 to registry.ls@undp.org or hand-delivered to UNDP, UN House, UN Road, P.O. Box 301, Maseru 100.

Please note:

·    Salary is negotiable and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

·    Regrettably, only short-listed candidates can be contacted.