1    Background

1.1       Situational Analysis

The integral functioning of Lesotho’s mountainous ecosystems is vital both for the livelihoods and welfare of its people, and for the delivery of ecosystem services and global environmental benefits to a large part of Southern Africa. Unfortunately, the Kingdom is largely characterized by inhospitable terrain, harsh climate, dense populations and intensively utilized and highly degraded natural resources. The 'Knowledge Management and Capacity Building for Sustainable Land Management in Lesotho' project looks to address the impacts of land degradation on local livelihoods and ecosystem services essential to the region.

There is little formal employment and a low level of monetisation in rural Lesotho. Up to 70% of Basotho are estimated to rely on the landscape for essential livelihood supports; this includes food production, fuel, shelter and clothing. This reliance creates natural resource stress in the country, contributing to the patterns of land degradation and soil erosion which this project looks to address. If the pressure on natural resources in rural Lesotho is to be reduced, viable alternatives need to be available to allow people to satisfy their basic needs. Part of the picture will be to find alternative income sources that allow essential commodities to be sourced from the market rather than from the already overstressed landscape. It is hoped that the availability of viable alternative Income Generating Activities will lead to investments which do not further stress natural resources being made.

1.2         Objective of the Consultancy:

This consultancy will produce a list of possible Income Generating Activities appropriate to rural Lesotho. These activities are expected to reduce the stress on natural resources. By analysing the capacities and barriers that exist locally and nationally to operationalising these activities, the consultant will produce a comprehensive plan that allows these activities to be implemented by community members. She/he will produce a series of recommendations for how the institutional and financial barriers to the Income Generating Activities identified can be overcome. A follow-up consultancy is envisaged to design training materials and a comprehensive plan to administer these materials so the human capacity barriers that are uncovered can be addressed.

2      Description of Responsibilities:

2.1         Specific Tasks

2.1.1    Market Analysis

·         Use rapid rural appraisal methodology to determine, in the project's target district and surrounding areas, local demand for goods and services and also the local capacity and interest in producing each product or service.

·         Perform a value-chain analysis for the five most promising Income Generating Activities identified to determine whether regional or national institutional support for any of the identified activities is appropriate.

·         Identify local, national and international markets for activities envisaged and highlight the constraints which inhibit rural Basotho from competing in these markets.

2.1.2     Production Capacities and Barriers:

·         Perform a capacity assessment in a representative sample of local communities. This assessment should analyse the natural, human and technical resources that exist within communities as well as assessing institutional, financial, socio-economic and infrastructural barriers that inhibit greater entrepreneurial activity.

2.2         Deliverables:

·         Rapid Rural Assessment of local demand for commodities and services, and of local capacities to produce these products or services. The consultant is expected to design a methodology and sampling plan, and to facilitate (or subcontract the facilitation of) a data-gathering exercise. This exercise should generate a list of at least five potential Income Generating Activities that are agreeable to the local community. The consultant’s assessment of which Income Generating Activities offer greatest potential should consider the financial and environmental sustainability of each activity.

·         A report detailing the capacities (natural, human, technical, others) and capacity gaps (institutional, financial, infrastructural, human, technical, others) that inhibit the operationalisation of each of the identified Income Generating Activities. This report should also make substantive recommendations as to how these capacities can be utilised or capacity gaps addressed.

·         A report detailing the potential markets (local, national, international) that exist for the products or services produced through the Income Generating Activities identified, a plan detailing how the products or services envisaged would gain access to each of these markets and a value chain analysis detailing the potential economic gains that can be made through each activity at each stage of the value chain.

2.3         Mandatory Conditions:

·         The consultant is expected to commit fully to this task and respect the attached rules and regulations governing UN consultants.

·         Payment to the Consultant will be made @ 30% of the consultancy amount upon receipt of the first draft report and final payment upon satisfactory completion of assignment.

3      Skills and Competencies:

·         Substantial experience of building (or facilitating the building of) environmentally and economically sustainable rural businesses and cooperatives in a developing world context (at least 5 years).

·         Advanced understanding of market-focused job creation and self-employment options and opportunities.

·         An understanding of designing interventions that consider the specific social needs and problems of vulnerable or marginalised groups (women, young people, others).

·         Experience of facilitating community decision-making processes, using Participatory Rural Appraisal or similar techniques.

·         Demonstrated experience of directing systematic, data-based analyses complex of social phenomena from first principles.

·         Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English and to work in harsh conditions. Knowledge of Sesotho is also an advantage.

·         Knowledge of the entrepreneurial environment and land tenure arrangements in Lesotho is an advantage.

4      Qualifications:

·         A Masters or PhD in Business, Economics or a related field.

Applications are sought from individuals - rather than firms - with experience pertinent to this position. To see the full Terms of Reference for this position or to apply, please use the following website: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=17730. Interested parties are expected to use the link provided to upload a copy of their Curriculum Vitae and answer the additional questions specified.

The deadline for the receipt of applications is 12pm GMT 16-July-2010.

Regrettably, only short-listed candidates can be notified.