International Consultant – Coordination of Integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The main purpose of this consultancy is to provide the Ministry of Development Planning (MoDP) with technical support to establish a national coordination mechanism for the prioritization, implementation and monitoring of and reporting on SDGs; and support the liaison between the MoDP and UNCT & other partners.

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Justification/Background 

In September 2015, the UN member states including Lesotho committed to the new Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) calling to transform our world by eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; leaving no one behind, and significantly reducing inequalities; putting sustainable development at the core of global, national and local policies, and accelerating the shift to low-carbon, climate-resilient development pathways; building a renewed global partnership for sustainable development, based on multistakeholders partnerships that can leverage needed capacities and resources and achieve impact at scale; and  accelerating a data revolution and improving capacity to measure sustainable development.

In order to achieve the goals, the Government of Lesotho is committed to nationalize the new global development agenda. The Government indicated its readiness to support the integration of SDGs into the National Strategic Development Plan and policies. The Government has also committed to conduct the Voluntary national review (VNR) in 2019 as one of the 15 countries in Africa, for the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2019. It is, therefore, an utmost importance for the Government to strengthen coordination mechanisms across ministries and levels of Government for the prioritization, implementation and monitoring of and reporting on SDGs; and establish liaison with development partners and private sectors those who are committed to support the Government. These will be important in the data collection, policy analysis and review of implementation modalities for development of the VNR and to support ongoing implementation and oversight on the SDGs.

UN Country Team (UNCT) in Lesotho, following its mandate and spirit of partnership, is strongly committed to support the Government in implementation and monitoring of and reporting on SDGs. The UN thus has established a UN SDG task team to provide the Government with UN joint support for the implementation of SDGs. Therefore, UNCT in Lesotho, wants to recruit an international Consultant (SDG Coordinator) to support the Government to establish a governance/ coordination structure; to maintain liaison between the Ministry of Development Planning, the lead Ministry of the Government for SDG coordination, and UNCT; and to provide technical support for the development of the Lesotho Voluntary National Review (VNR) report.  UNICEF, on behalf of the UNCT, will administer the recruitment process of the Consultant as the organization, at HQ level, has already committed to support the Government to

participate in the voluntary national reviews (VNR) which is due in 2019. The TOR serves the purpose of the recruitment of the Consultant.

Purpose

The main purpose of the Consultant is to provide the Ministry of Development Planning (MoDP) with technical support to strengthen a national coordination mechanism for the prioritization, implementation and monitoring of and reporting on SDGs, with specific focus to development of the VNR for Lesotho. The consultant will also act as a liaison between the MoDP and UNCT & other partners on the national processes for implementation of SDGs.

Duties and responsibilities

• Strengthen SDGs coordination mechanism;
• Prepare Terms of References for different committees;
• Prepare a SDGs partnership strategy;
• Orient different committees on VNR process; and support them in drafting their respective part of the report;
• Draft and finalize the VNR report upon consultation with relevant stakeholders; and
• Periodically update UNCT on the progress of the VNR

Description of deliverables and payment schedule

Based on the above duties and responsibilities, the Consultant upon discussion with the Supervisor and the Principal Secretary of the MoDP will prepare and agree on monthly plans, specifying key activities and deliverables from duties and responsibilities mention above.

Work relationships:

• The Consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Development Planning, UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) and UNICEF Representative; and will report to the UNICEF Country Representative and UNRC.
• The Consultant will report to UNICEF Country Representative and UNRC.
• The Consultant will work with the relevant Official of the MoDP, SDG Coordination Committee, Bureau of Statistics (BOS), other line Ministries, UNCT, UN Resident Coordinator Office, UNDP, UNSDG Task team, UN M&E team and other officials.

Payment schedule:  Payment will be made as per the planed delivery of deliverables as mentioned above.  UNICEF and UNCT will jointly fund this consultancy.

Required qualifications, technical background and experience

• Advanced University degree in Economics, Development Management/ a related technical field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in development management coordination;
• Proven experience in working with Government, liaison between Government and UN, and coordination of development programmes including SDGs;
• Proven experience in writing MDGs/SDGs/Development Plan progress report
• Experience in planning and monitoring of development programmes;
• Experience in working with multiple partners and Ministries;
• Skills in organizing meetings and facilitation of trainings and workshop;
• Strong analytical and report writing skills;
• Excellent presentation skills; and
• Experience in working in a team.

Conditions

• The Consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF General Terms and Conditions for individuals;
• The work of the Consultant is office based;
• The Consultant will perform the work using own computer;
• The Consultant will be based in the MoDP to work closely with the Principal Secretary;
• The Consultant payment is Lump sum inclusive of travel (a two-way travel) and living allowance; and
• The Consultant will be authorized to access UNICEF LCO/UN transport to travel outside Maseru;

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement on  https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=520067. Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above. Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (including administration and logistics).

Applications submitted without a financial proposal will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.