Consultancy for District Action Plans (DAPS) on Women/Youth Peace and Security at LCN

March 31, 2026

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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ACTION PLANS (DAPS) ON WOMEN/ YOUTH PEACE AND SECURITY (WPS/YPS)

1. Background and Context

The Kingdom of Lesotho continues to navigate peace and security challenges including political instability, community-level conflict, socio-economic inequality, youth unemployment, and persistent gender-based violence. Women and youth are disproportionately affected by insecurity, yet remain under-represented in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and security governance.

Peace and social cohesion remain fragile in Lesotho with high levels of community-level crime. In recent years, the rate of violent crime in Lesotho has been rising, based on data from weekly police media reports. According to police reports, there were 759 homicides between January and October 2022 and 641 robberies over the same period. The Global Study on Homicide, which ranks the murder rates of 202 countries and territories, puts Lesotho at number 10, and sixth in Africa. A recent World Population Review report states that Lesotho, with 46.5 murders for every 100,000 people, has the highest per capita homicide rate in Africa and the third-highest homicide rate in the world and these are happening in communities. Lesotho, therefore, needs a quantum leap into ensuring that this bleak situation is reversed.

Lesotho is signatory to multiple international, regional, and continental instruments on peace and security, including UDHR, ACHPR, African Union Agenda 2063 and the AU Silencing the Guns Initiative, SADC peace and security frameworks, Sustainable Development Goals, UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 (Women, Peace and Security) and 2250 (Youth, Peace and Security).

However, implementation of these commitments requires clear, coordinated, and adequately resourced approach. Commendably, the Government of Lesotho through the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development is in the process of developing the NAP on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS). The NAP is going to align with Lesotho’s national development priorities, peace and security frameworks, including the Extended National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP II), the National Peace Policy, the National Reforms Agenda, the Gender and Development Policy, the National Youth Policy and relevant justice, security, and social cohesion policies. It will also be aligned with UNDP’s Strategic Plan, the UNDP Governance and Peacebuilding portfolio in Lesotho, and Lesotho’s regional and international commitments, including, UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 (Women, Peace and Security) and 2250 (Youth, Peace and Security), as well as applicable international human rights instruments.

The Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development through its Gender and Youth Directorates, in collaboration with Lesotho Council of NGOs (LCN), therefore intends to develop District Action Plan (DAP) that will be aligned with the NAP on WPS and YPS.

The NAP and DAP will be guiding peace and security interventions at the national and district–level respectively.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to develop and or compile a comprehensive, results-based and implementable District Action Plan that align with UN Resolutions 1325 and 2250 on Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security that are aligned with the National Action Plan (NAP). The DAP will be supporting Community-Driven Violence Reduction and Sustainable Peace in Lesotho.

The DAP will also provide strategic direction, priority actions, coordination mechanisms, monitoring frameworks, resource mobilization and implementation modalities to strengthen community-based peacebuilding and violence prevention efforts nationwide.

3. Objectives of the Assignment

The specific objectives are to:

Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the findings and draft action plans from the district consultations with women and youth.
Compile the findings into one District Action Plan that follows the structure and pillars in the NAP.
Develop a costed implementation and resource mobilization framework.
Provide a practical framework for district-level implementation
Establish robust monitoring, evaluation, and accountability mechanisms

4. Scope of Work

The Consultant shall undertake the following tasks:

4.1 Desk Review and Situational Analysis

Conduct preliminary consultations with the Gender and Youth Directorates, UNDP, OHCHR, UN Women to develop a draft plan of consultancy activities.
Conduct a desk review of existing relevant international, continental, regional and national documents and legal framework.
Review the findings and plans from the consultations with women and youth groups.
Review the draft of the NAP from the Gender and Youth Directorates.
Develop a detailed inception report explaining:

Situational Analysis
Methodology
Detailed workplan and timelines
Stakeholder engagement strategies
Risk analysis plan

Support in presenting the consultation report to National Steering Committee with specific guidance on how findings will feed into the DAPs.

4.2 Development of the District Action Plan

The DAP shall include (as per the NAP):

Draft the District Action Plan on Women and Youth Peace and Security which will include a concise context analysis of the peace and security situation in the country in relation to the women and youth, peace and security agenda, clear resource mobilization framework, implementation, monitoring, and reporting structure and mechanisms.
Draft a logical framework with clear interventions, SMART indicators, targets, baseline, responsible institutions and costing of DAP (Budget)
Submit the draft DAP for review and inputs to the MGYSD, UNDP, UN WOMEN, OHCHR and LCN.

4.3 Validation and Finalisation

Develop concept notes and agenda for the DAP validation workshops in the Specific districts.
Facilitate validation workshops and input feedback into draft DAP.
Submit final DAP for approval

Deliverables:

A detailed Inception Report with work plan for the consultancy including schedule of activities, a tentative plan for meetings with key WPS and YPS stakeholders at the National level
Consultation Materials (concept note, agenda, presentations and final reports with key priorities and recommendations)
Draft DAP includes narrative section and logical framework.
Validation workshop report
Final DAP on UNSCR 1325, 2250 and subsequent resolutions

5. Duration

The assignment is expected to be completed within 6 weeks.

6. Institutional Arrangements

The consultant will report administratively to the Technical Working Group comprised of the Gender and Youth Directorates from Government of Lesotho line Ministry (MGYSD) and Lesotho Council of NGOs.

The consultant will submit regular written progress reports and participate in coordination and review meetings as required. All deliverables will be subject to joint review and approval by the Technical Working Group.

7. Qualifications and Experience

7.1 Academic Qualifications

Advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in:
Law
Peace and Conflict Studies
International Relations
Development Studies
Gender Studies
Political Science
or related field

7.2 Professional Experience

Minimum 5–7 years’ experience in peace and security policy development
Demonstrated experience developing National Action Plans, policies, or strategies
Proven expertise in:
Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security
Gender and youth transformative mainstreaming
Stakeholder consultations and participatory processes
Experience working with government institutions and development partners
Strong policy drafting and analytical skills

7.3 Desirable Experience

Knowledge of Lesotho’s governance and peace and security landscape
Experience with AU, UN, or SADC frameworks
Legal or legislative drafting experience
Monitoring and evaluation expertise
Experience working in Lesotho or the Southern African region is an added advantage.

7.4 Competencies

Strategic and systems thinking
Stakeholder engagement and facilitation
Political and cultural sensitivity
Strong coordination and communication skills
Results-based planning and MEAL expertise

7.5 Ethical Considerations

The consultant must adhere to LCN ethical standards and procedures, including confidentiality, informed consent, safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), conflict sensitivity, and a strict do-no-harm approach. All data collection and consultations must be gender-responsive, Women and youth-inclusive, and sensitive to local political and social dynamics.

8. Application Process

Interested consultants are required to submit the following on or before the 14^th of April 2026 to [email protected], with the subject “DAP Consultancy Application”:

A technical proposal demonstrating understanding of the assignment, detailed methodology, stakeholder engagement approach, workplan, and risk mitigation measures
A financial proposal (LSL) with a clear budget breakdown and justification, inclusive of professional fees and reimbursable costs
Updated curriculum vitae of the consultant.
At least two samples of similar assignments (national strategies, action plans, or peacebuilding frameworks)
A signed declaration of availability, impartiality, and absence of conflict of interest
Proposals must demonstrate commitment to LCN’s principles of transparency, accountability, value for money, gender equality, human rights, and conflict sensitivity.

8.1 Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with donor procurement standards using the following criteria:
Technical approach, methodology, and workplan (40%)
Relevant experience and qualifications of the consultant (30%)
Demonstrated understanding of Lesotho’s peace, security, and governance context (20%)
Cost-effectiveness and value for money (10%)

Only shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews or presentations.