Background

UNDP is the UN global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. It works with individual countries on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. UNDP Lesotho supports Lesotho’s development priorities laid out in the National Strategic Development Plan. The focus areas for democratic Governance; Environment and Energy; Poverty Reduction and economic Growth, with Gender Mainstreaming and HIV/AIDS as cross cutting areas.

The Government of Lesotho launched a Lesotho Data for Sustainable Development with support from EU and UNDP. This project is aimed at assisting the Government in the collection, analysis and dissemination of development data and building institutional and technical capacities for monitoring and evaluation of development programs and effective pubic management systems. The data project is being implemented by the Ministry of Development Planning, through the Department of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Bureau of Statistics (BOS). The project has three inter-linked components, namely, i) definition of systematic tools for measuring development programs; ii) promotion of literacy and innovation for data collection, dissemination and use; and iii) strengthening national leadership, institutional and technical capacities for effective coordination and sectoral engagement.

The project is currently implementing a capacity building response following a preliminary phase where necessary evidence was gathered through a rigorous stakeholders-engagement. The consultative process involved a National Level Diagnosis Workshop, Cluster Level Data Gap Analysis, User Assessment and interviews at institutional level.  Importantly, this exercise was pivotal in establishing some data gaps and institutional challenges related to performing statistical and M&E functions across the entire National Statistical System (NSS) and National Monitoring and Evaluation System (NMES).  Among several challenges identified, the assessment established that the Agriculture and Food Security Statistics Division of the BOS cannot adequately conduct the quarterly based commercial farming survey called Horticulture Production Survey (HPS) due to limitation in expertise in this area. The HPS is intended to provide vegetable and fruit production statistics. The HPS being a new survey faces myriad challenges from methodology design; data collection till analysis thus compromising data quality. The entire survey cycle is confronted with challenges associated with limited expertise in this regard within the responsible Division. Thus, necessitating staff capacity enhancement.

It is against this background that on behalf of the Ministry of Development Planning, UNDP is seeking a reputable horticulture statistics specialist to provide technical expertise to the Agriculture and Food Security Statistics Division of the BOS in conducting the HPS and improving Horticulture Statistics in Lesotho. The expert will be expected to design the Horticulture Production Survey; review the survey sample design; review survey instruments and data collection and review data processing and analysis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Based on the above objectives, the Specialist is expected to undertake the following key tasks:

  • Design Survey Methodology for the HPS which is aligned to best international practices in Horticulture Statistics
  • Develop a sampling methodology and accompanying sample framework
  • Determine appropriate sample size for the survey
  • Design data collection tools that adhere to international standards
  • Develop a data collection manual with clear instructions for data collectors
  • Provide technical oversight on data processing, data analysis and report writing
  • Draft An exit report at the end of the assignment with clear recommendations to advance vegetable and fruits data given Lesotho’s context

The assignment should be informed by and be aligned to the National Vision 2020, National Action Plan for Food Security (NAPFS), Agricultural Sector Strategy (ASS), National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) and National Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. Inclusive of the Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063.

Competencies

  • Strong organizational and detail-oriented skills
  • Ability to deliver under tight deadlines
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Excellent communication skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • The Specialist must possess at least a recognized Master Degree in the fields of Agricultural Statistics/Agricultural Economics/Statistics or related fields.

Experience

  • A minimum of 10 years professional experience preferably practical experience with Crop Statistics Data analysis or related services;
  • Prior experience of Horticulture Survey Design and implementation preferably for National Statistics Offices
  • Proficiency in statistical packages;
  • Understanding of the link between development frameworks and the indicators provided by agricultural census data
  • Appreciation of SADC development context will be an advantage;
  • Knowledge and understanding of the Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics; Sustainable Development Agenda; Agenda 2063, and National Strategic Development Plan preferred.

Language:

  • Fluent in English.

Submit the following:

  • Confirmation of Interest and Availability  -  Template available in the below link;
  • P11 - Template available in the below link;
  • Methodology - approach to work.

Link to detailed TORs and Templates: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=47172

Submision Email: ls.procurement@undp.org.