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Information on the project

Lesotho’s macroeconomic position has been deteriorating since 2015 with the economy remaining in recession since 2017 worsened by the widening of public spending that has peaked at 65% of GDP in the 2023/2024 financial year. The national capital budget is 27% of the total budget, compared to 73% incurred under the recurrent budget. Eighty-six percent of Lesotho’s national budget is absorbed by government consumption, particularly public wages which are estimated at 32% of the GDP. Public procurement, which accounts for 35 percent of GDP, although key in determining the effectiveness of government in delivering essential services, programs, and projects; faces numerous management challenges. The government’s revenues particularly from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), declined by 22% of GDP in the 2022/23 financial year. In spite of the high spending in the public sector, and worrying revenue trends, this has not translated into satisfactory performance and high productivity in the public sector. The above shortcomings notwithstanding The Government of Lesotho is keen on creating a conducive environment to spur inclusive growth and development.

Upon assumption of office, the Government reassured Basotho its commitment, to deliver public goods and services, and to enable the realization of the fundamental human rights of every Mosotho. The Government underscored the importance of expediting ongoing National Reforms by acknowledging improvements the relative peace, political stability, and tolerance following the Luanda Angola, 2018 Double Troika Summit resolution of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). In this regard, the Government promised to fix the imbalances to achieve macroeconomic stability, reform the public service to make it more efficient, transparent, accountable, and effective, address corruption, and, introduce a rigorous system of monitoring and evaluation to counter poor performance. Equally important is the pledge to increase accountability in the public sector, and social engagement in performance. These shall be achieved through: i) enhancing inclusive and sustainable economic growth and private sector job creation; ii) Strengthening the human capital; iii) Building an enabling infrastructure; iv) Strengthening national governance and accountability systems for improved service delivery; v) Strengthen climate risk management resilience and adaptation; and vi). Strengthen public financial management.

Consequently, the UN initiated a Joint UN Programme on Improved Governance for Optimized Service Delivery to augment and complement the Government’s efforts to address the pervasive impediments to effective governance and public service delivery in Lesotho. At the core of the initiative is effective public service delivery to all Basotho people through:

1. Promote effective leadership and management of the public sector through Senior level leadership training and Executive Coaching Platforms (Cabinet and Principal Secretaries), capacity development, and Institutional strengthening;
2. Enhance efficient and informed resource allocation and utilization by, strengthening public financial accountability for efficiency and informed resource allocation as well as development assistance coordination and effectiveness and; building capacity of district and community councils on public financial management increased;
3. Establishment of e-governance for enhanced accessibility to government services by establishing One-Stop e-government centers for public services, coordination and standardization of e-government initiatives, and creation of an enabling legal and policy framework for e-governance;
4. Institutionalize a national accountability mechanism through measurements as well as, adoption, and implementation of Decentralization Policy, Mobile and digital platforms for citizen feedback and, strengthening horizontal and vertical inter/intra governmental linkages and accountabilities; Institutionalization of community accountability mechanism through performance-based climate resilient grants in local authorities.
5. Augment coordinated implementation of strategic public service reforms through operationalization of public sector performance-based management structures, systems, and processes; strengthening structures and capabilities for coordinated implementation of public sector reforms.

The Ministry of Information Communications Science Technology and Innovation is the government interlocuter on Component 3 – Establishment of e-governance for enhanced accessibility to government services – of the UN Joint Programme for Optimized Service Delivery responsible for driving policy, providing leadership, and coordinating interventions under the component. To effectively lead on the component and actualize the Kingdom’s aspiration to leverage digitalization, the Government in partnership and collaboration with UNDP Lesotho is seeking the hire a Technical Specialist to provide advisory support, guidance, best practices, approaches, and strategies for the Minister.

Scope of Work

The ultimate objective of this assignment is to provide high-quality and high-level advisory services and coordination support to the Minister for MICSTI on matters related to policy direction and mandate of the Ministry as defined in the functions of the following technical departments and areas: Information Communications Technology (ICT), Science Research and Innovation Appropriate Technology and Science (ATS), Postal Services, Lesotho News and Broadcasting Services (LNBS), Lesotho News Agency (LENA), National State Library, Information Services, Ministerial Administration and, Leadership and Management.

1. Policy Advisory: Advice the Minister in identifying and analyzing key policy issues related to the docket of Information, Communication, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and propose innovative ways to address them in support of the Government agenda;
2. Strategy and catalytic advisory support: Advice the Minister in identifying, and prioritizing strategic and catalytic Information, Communication, Science, Technology, and Innovation interventions, including quick-wins, that would help the Government record transformational impact and enhance transparency, accountability, integrity, and quality service delivery;
3. Stakeholder coordination advisory support: Advice the Minister in ensuring effective coordination with key Information, Communication, Science, Technology, and Innovation Institutions and actors, to transform Lesotho into a digital economy ;
4. Consolidation of MICSTI contribution to national agenda: Advise the Minister to consolidate the Ministry’s contribution to ensure the Government’s reform initiatives and priorities are translated into national strategic interventions and advice on the development of short/medium/long-term activities that would be integrated into national development, other planning, and M&E instruments of the Government.

1. Provide advice and ongoing policy issues, Identify emerging issues/risks and their implications, and propose solutions.
2. The Technical Specialist, ensures high-quality support and sound advice is provided to the Minister, internal and external stakeholders, and effective coordination of consultation and management of stakeholders across the department, and cluster.
3. Advice on support arrangements for the Minister and, if required, related Senior Officer Groups per the Minister’s practice, including the coordination of proposal and forward agenda processes, preparation of meeting agendas and decisions, scheduling of meetings, and the collation and delivery of Cabinet papers and folders within specified timeframes.
4. Critically analyze the Minister’s policy proposals, review submissions to Cabinet, Parliament, or proposed initiatives, and related advice to ensure adherence to guidelines and compliance with required standards, soundness, and feasibility.
5. Coordinate and provide high-quality advice to the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs concerning Cabinet documents, processes, and practice within specified timeframes.
6. Develop and maintain effective working relationships and communications with internal and external stakeholders, including advising and consulting those participating in Cabinet processes to ensure their contribution to the effective functioning of the office of the Minister.
7. Undertake research and high-quality analysis in assigned portfolio areas and prepare briefs and reports to support the Minister in meeting commitments concerning the Government’s public policy program, delivery of state significant projects, and service delivery reform
8. Advice the Minister on strategies for compliance with relevant Cabinet conventions, including confidentiality, oversight, and archiving of meeting papers, receiving returns of Cabinet documents, and use of appropriate protocols for destruction.
9. Provide policy recommendations for optimizing economic development within the ICT, Science, and Information sectors for the Minister’s consideration.
10. Offer insights into international best practices and emerging trends in the specified domains within the Information, Communication, Science, Technology, and Innovation docket..
11. Advice and support resource mobilization strategies including proposing funding models and opportunities to support the growth and sustainability of the Ministry.
12. Advise the Minister on effective organizational structures and governance models to optimize efficiency and decision-making processes.
13. Advice and offer solutions to address challenges related to change management, and innovation, proposing strategies to navigate transitions and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
14. Collaborate closely with department heads to develop and implement initiatives that promote a culture of accountability and transparency.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Partnership management

• Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.