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: Staff holding UNDP temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts and Experts and Specialist UNVs with host entity UNDP;
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates.

Background

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), with support from UNDP, is advancing digital transformation to enhance transparency, efficiency, and credibility of electoral processes in Lesotho. Within this context, ICT plays a pivotal role in re-engineering electoral systems—modernizing voter registration, results management, and information exchange across electoral operations. The Electoral ICT function supports the IEC’s strategic objectives of strengthening institutional capacity, ensuring data security, and fostering innovation in the management of electoral processes.

The position operates under UNDP’s governance portfolio and contributes directly to the project’s outcomes of strengthening democratic institutions and processes. As elections increasingly depend on reliable digital infrastructure, this role ensures that technological interventions are secure, interoperable, and responsive to both operational and strategic needs of the IEC and its partners.

Position Purpose

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), with support from UNDP, is advancing digital transformation to enhance transparency, efficiency, and credibility of electoral processes in Lesotho. Within this context, ICT plays a pivotal role in re-engineering electoral systems—modernizing voter registration, results management, and information exchange across electoral operations. The Electoral ICT function supports the IEC’s strategic objectives of strengthening institutional capacity, ensuring data security, and fostering innovation in the management of electoral processes.

The position operates under UNDP’s governance portfolio and contributes directly to the project’s outcomes of strengthening democratic institutions and processes. As elections increasingly depend on reliable digital infrastructure, this role ensures that technological interventions are secure, interoperable, and responsive to both operational and strategic needs of the IEC and its partners.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Lead Strategic ICT Development for Electoral Processes

• Provide guidance on the design and implementation of ICT solutions that support electoral process re-engineering;
• Ensure digital transformation initiatives are aligned with electoral laws, IEC strategic frameworks, and Components of the project;
• Drive the modernization of electoral functions, including voter registration, results transmission, and data management systems;
• Collaborate with the Project Manager and Chief Technical Advisor to ensure ICT interventions contribute to strategic project outcomes;
• Conduct organization mapping to identify ICT needs and opportunities across electoral stakeholders beyond IEC;
• Broaden ICT strategy to include collaboration with civil society organizations, media, and other democratic institutions.

2. Assess and Strengthen ICT Infrastructure and Systems Integration

• Conduct technical assessments of IEC’s ICT infrastructure to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities for innovation;
• Lead efforts to integrate digital systems across IEC departments to improve operational efficiency and data interoperability;
• Develop and implement protocols for data security, system reliability, and business continuity in line with IEC and project standards;
• Ensure systems are scalable and adaptable to future electoral cycles, including the 2027/2028 election;
• Use insights from stakeholder engagement and diagnostics to inform infrastructure upgrades and integration;
• Identify systemic ICT issues and propose tailored solutions that enhance resilience and adaptability.

3. Enhance Institutional Capacity through Technical Training and Support

• Design and deliver structured training programs for IEC staff on new ICT systems, platforms, and digital tools;
• Develop and maintain user manuals, SOPs, and technical documentation to support system adoption and sustainability;
• Promote digital literacy and innovation within IEC through knowledge sharing, mentoring, and capacity-building initiatives;
• Provide ongoing technical support to IEC teams to ensure smooth implementation and operation of ICT systems;
• Facilitate learning through insights by documenting best practices and lessons learned from Electoral ICT implementation;
• Promote cross-organizational knowledge exchange to strengthen institutional capacity beyond IEC.

4. Monitor ICT Implementation and Contribute to Project Reporting

• Track and report on ICT-related activities, ensuring alignment with the Annual Work Plan (AWP), project document, and donor expectations;
• Provide regular updates and technical analysis to the Project Manager, and other project structures;
• Support the development and application of performance indicators and evaluation tools for ICT interventions;
• Contribute to third-party monitoring and evaluation processes by providing relevant data and insights;
• Analyze implementation data to generate insights that inform adaptive learning and continuous improvement;
• Share findings with broader stakeholders to support evidence-based decision-making.

5. Support Project Governance and Strategic Oversight

• Serve as a technical resource to the unit and ensure ICT components are well-represented in strategic discussions;
• Participate in quarterly project implementation meetings and biannual project board reviews, contributing to strategic direction and implementation oversight;
• Collaborate with national and international experts, implementing partners, and stakeholders to ensure ICT deliverables are coherent, timely, and impactful;
• Align ICT activities with donor reporting requirements, including contributions to EU financial and technical reports;
• Ensure electoral ICT strategies reflect innovations in digital governance and are inclusive of broader organizational networks.

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

Competencies

Cross-Functional and Technical competencies

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 Management

• Portfolio Management
  • Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity;
  • Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
• Working with Evidence and Data
  • Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.
• Digital Awareness and Literacy
  • Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.

Information Management & Technology

• User experience and business analyst
  • Capacity to translate efficiently users needs into IT requirements around human-centered design.
• Network, Communication and Infrastructure Management
  • Ability to develop/integrate/operate/manage IT network, communications, Cloud or on-premise infrastructure, and new technologies like IoT. Cisco CCIE CCNP or similar is desirable.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Information Systems, Information Management, Computer Science, Software Development or related field is required.  Certifications in CCNP, MSCA, MSCE or MCP are an asset;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the fields 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, Knowledge and Skills:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience that includes development and implementation of ICT strategies; web design and development of web-based office applications;
• Experience working with user-centered designs and conducting user research and testing is required; 
• Five  years of demonstrated experience working with the UN system, international organizations, or donor-funded projects is desired;
• Knowledge of electoral digital transformation and technology risks (e.g., cybersecurity, system integration, data privacy) is desired;
• Proven ability to conduct technical needs assessments, system gap analysis, and digital infrastructure mapping is desired;
• Experience applying digitization and digital design is desired;
• Experience with emerging technologies (cloud systems, IoT, biometrics, open-source platforms);
• Familiarity with digital governance frameworks and public sector digital transform is desired.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Sesotho and English language 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. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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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