Strengthening the migration-development nexus in Africa (National consultant for Lesotho)

The consultant shall, within the relevant timeframe, provide to the ECA SRO-NA with a) The preparation of an initial report (R1) stating a good understanding of the task by the consultant and detailing among others the work to be undertaken, the conceptual framework, the methodology, the work report and the chronogram of the activities. b) The country situation analysis report on the results of the assessment of the existing framework, available data and information on institutional, legal, financial aspects related to remittances and its contribution to sustainable development in Lesotho. The report will include (i) identified gaps and challenges of building an effective regulatory, investment, and institutional framework in addition to a relevant information system to better optimize the contribution of diasporas into development (ii) a proposed effective regulatory and institutional framework based on the country’s context and international experiences.(iii) suggested strategic tools/instruments and policy reforms that are tailored to the needs of Diaspora to channel remittances to investments in Lesotho. A report with all detailed information (R2) will be submitted by the consultant. c) A detailed roadmap (actions/ reforms/policies with timeframe...) to establish the identified framework and a clear action plan to better leverage diasporas’ investments and contribution to the development of Lesotho. A document with all detailed information will be submitted by the consultant (R3) d) Design and propose a final workshop (R4) to present and endorse the action plan.

LESOTHO

6 months

Background and rationale for support Diasporas contribute significantly to the sustainable development of both destination and origin countries, making diverse economic, social, and cultural contributions. They bring home significant remittances and skills from destination countries, providing significant benefits to home countries and as useful source of technological transfer, and innovative ideas for national development. Migrants also acquire financial resources for sole and joint investment to improve lives, make financial returns, or both. Despite their increasing importance, diaspora policies still receive less consideration than immigration policies. Whereas policymakers and researchers have dedicated more attention to States of origin, they have primarily focused on their role for the immigration policies of States of destination. The transnational engagement of States of origin with their citizens abroad for domestic purposes has received less attention. Migrants’ contributions to development have recently received growing recognition. At the global level, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) introduced the first explicit recognition of migrants’ contributions to inclusive growth and sustainable development and called for reducing remittance transaction costs through SDG 10.c which states, “by 2030, reduce to less than 3 percent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 percent.”. The 2018 Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), under objective 19, called for improving conditions for migrants to contribute to sustainable development in countries of origin, transit, and destination. It advocated adopting migration policies; integrating migration into development planning and sectoral policies at different levels; facilitating migrants’ contributions, including investments and entrepreneurship; investing in research on migrants’ non-financial contributions; and enabling their political participation. Remittances are a vital tool for development and have significant implications for economic growth through the increase of consumption, investment, and social spending (education, health, social security…). Remittances inflows have increased significantly in recent years and have become the main financial external inflow in African countries, surpassing other inflows that traditionally play an important role in these countries, such as official development assistance (ODA) and foreign direct investment (FDI). However, the positive contribution of international migrants, remittances in particular, is overlooked. And while countries have made some progress on capitalizing on migrants’ contribution to development, in African countries these efforts continue to be a missed opportunity. Understanding migrants’ positive contribution to their receiving countries and designing policies that protect and empower them is key for maximizing the benefits of migration. More broadly, in providing support to migrants, public policies are expected to create a "win-win" relationship benefiting the migrant, the country of origin, and the host country. Knowing the importance of remittances to economic development and to facilitate evidence-based policies and their implementation, Governments, the private sector, and NGOs need clear tools, framework and policies that help to better optimize the contribution of Diasporas in the development of their countries of origin. In this context, ECA is implementing a program on “Strengthening the migration-development nexus in Africa » from 2024 to 2028. The program supports six African Member States that have diverse migration patterns, strategic geographical location, significant migration flows, diverse diaspora, significant remittance inflows (in percentage of GDP), and proactive efforts from the government to leverage migration for development. The program’s objective is to strengthen the capacities of selected countries to integrate diaspora’ contribution into national development strategies to optimize the contribution of remittances that diaspora as workers in the formal sector send back to their country of origin for sustainable development. Scope and tasks of work Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Subregional Initiatives Section and the Economic Affairs Officer and the overall supervision of the Director of the North Africa Regional Office, the consultant will provide technical support to develop the adequate framework to better leverage the diasporas’ contribution to development in Lesotho. The consultant will: - Ensure the involvement of relevant stakeholders in the programme (Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Development Partners; private sector, civil society...), in collaboration with the established National Technical working group under the co-leadership of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations in Lesotho. - Prepare an initial report demonstrating a good understanding of the task by the consultant and detailing among others the work to be undertaken, the conceptual framework, the methodology, the work plan, the annotated plan of the report and the chronogram of the activities. - Assess the existing framework, available data and information on institutional, legal, financial aspects related to remittances and its contribution to sustainable development in Lesotho. This assessment will help to identify gaps and analyze challenges of building an effective regulatory, investment, and institutional framework in addition to a relevant information system to better optimize the contribution of diasporas into development. In addition, a review of Lesotho`s investment project viability to attract remittances will be done. This will help to identify challenges and opportunities for investment by Diaspora and will enable them to find value in channeling their money towards these investment projects. - Prepare a country situation analysis report based on the results of the above assessment with policy reforms and strategic tools/instruments, that are tailored to the needs of Diaspora to channel remittances to investments in Lesotho. - Develop and propose an effective regulatory and institutional framework based on the country’s context and international experiences. - Elaborate a detailed roadmap to establish the identified framework, strategic tools/instruments and propose a clear action plan to better leverage diasporas’ investments and contribution to the development of Lesotho (actions/ reforms/policies with timeframe, Monitoring & Evaluation matrix and coordination structure). - Provide the technical support needed to ensure the endorsement of the action plan. - Take part in national, regional and subregional discussions and workshops related to the programme, and act as a resource person in the work on diasporas’ economic contribution. - Develop and implement two (2) workshops: (1) at mid-term to discuss the preliminary results and (2) the final workshop to endorse findings and the roadmap. Anticipated Deliverables and Implementation schedule 2 days after signing the contract - The ECA and the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations in Lesotho organize a meeting with the Consultant / 3 weeks after signing the contract - The consultant submits to ECA and Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations an initial inception report (R1) detailing the conceptualization of the assignment that strongly demonstrates a clear understanding and interpretation of the objectives and tasks; and detailing among others the work to be undertaken, the conceptual framework, the methodology, the work plan, the annotated plan of the report and the chronogram of the activities. / 1,5 months after signing the contract - The consultant presents to the ECA and the National Technical Working Group the assessment of the existing framework, available data and information on institutional, legal, financial aspects related to remittances and its contribution to sustainable development in Lesotho. This exercise will include identified gaps and analyze the challenges of building an effective regulatory, investment, and institutional framework in addition to a relevant information system to better optimize the contribution of diasporas into development. / 3.5 months after signing the contract - The consultant submits the first draft (R2) of the country situation analysis report on the results of the assessment and the proposed effective regulatory and institutional framework based on the country’s context and international experiences. The report includes also needed policy reforms and strategic tools/instruments, that are tailored to the needs of Diaspora to channel remittances to investments in Lesotho. The consultant will contribute to the mid-term progress workshop and presents the first draft for comments. / 4 months after signing the contract - The consultant submits the final draft of the country situation analysis (R2) on the existing framework, available data and information on institutional, legal, financial aspects related to remittances and its contribution to sustainable development in Lesotho including the proposed framework (with needed policy reforms and strategic tools/instruments) after taking into consideration the received comments. / 5 months after signing the contract - The consultant submits the first draft of a detailed roadmap to establish the identified framework, strategic tool/instruments and propose a clear action plan to better leverage diasporas’ investments and contribution to the development of Lesotho (R3) / 6 months after signing the contract - The Consultant submits the final draft of the detailed roadmap with a clear action plan (actions/ reforms/policies with timeframe...) to better leverage diasporas’ investments and contribution to the development of Lesotho considering comments and recommendations from the review (R4) and developing and implementing a national workshop to endorse the action plan.

Advanced university degree (Masters' degree) in economics, international economics, Finances, Statistics, Development Economics, etc. or any related field is required. A PhD would be an advantage A minimum of five years of experience in economic research and analysis is required Experience in analytical policy research in economies, or macroeconomic analysis in Africa/ Southern Africa is an advantage

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this consultancy, Fluency in English is required. Fluency in French is desirable

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.