Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background / Office/Unit/Project Description

Lesotho is a Parliamentary and Constitutional Monarchy with the King as head of state. The country has a bicameral Parliament consisting of two houses, the National Assembly with 120 members who are elected by a mixed member proportional (MMP) system and a Senate with 33 members, 22 of whom are hereditary principal chiefs while 11 are appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister. The country’s Government is led by the Prime Minister who holds executive power and heads a cabinet. National elections are conducted every five years.

On 7 October 2022, Lesotho held its 11th legislative polls to elect 120 members of its National Assembly. These were the first elections observed by an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM), whose deployment and consequent recommendations were welcomed by political stakeholders in Lesotho, including the government. Despite a generally peaceful election, there were a number of shortcomings evidenced in observer reports such as: legal uncertainties and lack of clarity on election procedures, inaccuracies in the voter registry, interference in media, uneven playing field among parties and candidates, abuse of state resources, voter apathy and decrease of voter turnout, errors in announcement of results, and unclear procedures for election dispute resolution. Critical election operations such as voter registration and voter education were hampered by significant delays in issuing of funding to the IEC.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of Lesotho is an independent body charged with the management of elections and referenda with its functions set out in Section 66 of the Constitution and elaborated in Section 135 of the National Assembly Electoral Act. Though the IEC is a well-established institution with proven capacity to organize and administer elections, ongoing national reforms which touch on electoral management will require restructuring of its systems and process within a context of highly contested elections.

The project is articulated around the following four broad based outcome areas derived from SDG 16: It seeks to enhance the 1. Capacity of the institutions involved in the elections such as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC),2. Deployment of Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), 3. Support to Local Government Election Dialogue, and 4. Capacity strengthening of the media, civil society and the interdenominational bodies led by the Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) Furthermore, through its Peace pillar, it supports efforts to limit opportunities for electoral violence through prevention, mitigation.

UNDP is seeking a Project Analyst to support the implementation of the project in collaboration with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the Ministry of Home Affairs, and relevant civil society organizations, while coordinating closely with UN partners. Reporting to the Project Manager, the Analyst will provide technical, analytical, and coordination support across key project components, including strengthening IEC’s institutional capacity, facilitating timely provision of national IDs, and enhancing coordination between IEC and Home Affairs. The role requires strong analytical and research skills, reporting and documentation abilities, stakeholder engagement and coordination skills, as well as the capacity to support planning, monitoring, and delivery of project activities to ensure timely and high-quality results.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Coordinate effective Project planning and implementation

• Support development and execution of Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and detailed implementation schedules;
• Assist in coordinating activities with IEC, Ministry of Home Affairs, and civil society partners;
• Monitor progress of project components including voter education, ID issuance, and stakeholder engagement;
• Ensure implementation activities are in alignment with UNDP policy and programme management procedure and all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective.

Monitor and report progress in implementing project activities and achieving the target sets

• Review the results framework and update the indicators , baselines and targets assigned portfolio;
• Conduct research and analysis on electoral processes, legal frameworks, and governance issue;
• Identify, analyze and take adequate measures to mange emerging issues, problems and risks;
• Draft corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule of UNDP and donor requirements;
• Support UNDP recruitment and on-boarding of consultants and implementing partners.

Establish partnerships and open channels of communication

• Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and participation of key stakeholders in assigned portfolio;
• Develop and maintain stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify stakeholder needs and how best to leverage their participation and/or strengthen their engagement. Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint initiatives;
• Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building , knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to assigned thematic area(s)

• Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia;
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners;
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area;
• Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.

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

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously
LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination
LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross Functional and technical competencies

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

Business Direction & Strategy: – System Thinking

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Development: – Knowledge Facilitation

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Business Management:- Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Management:- Partnerships Management

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Management:- Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Management:- Monitoring

• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and project performance and results

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Governance, Political Science, International Relations or related field; OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Minimum years of relevant work experience

• Applicants with master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in project management, electoral assistance, or democratic governance or related field.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
• Experience working with electoral management bodies, government institutions, civil society, or international organizations;
• Knowledge of electoral systems in developing countries;
• Experience in project coordination, and implementation;
• Good networking abilities and partnership development;
• Strong analytical and writing skills, with a proven ability to produce high-quality reports and publications;
• Experience in developing and implementing M&E frameworks and tools;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Sesotho is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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