Disaster Management Authority (DMA)
External Circular Notice No. 2 of 2026
The Disaster Management Authority (DMA) invites applications from suitably qualified local candidates for the position of Director: Disaster Risk Financing.
Position Details
- Agency: Disaster Management Authority
- Position: Director: Disaster Risk Financing
- Grade: J
- Responsible to: Chief Executive
- Location: Maseru, Lesotho
Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the Chief Executive, the Director: Disaster Risk Financing is responsible for providing strategic leadership in the development, coordination and implementation of national disaster risk financing strategies that promote sustainable, predictable and risk-informed financing for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, anticipatory action, response and recovery.
The Director leads the establishment and management of disaster risk financing mechanisms, mobilises domestic and international resources, strengthens partnerships with government, development partners and the private sector, and integrates disaster risk financing into national planning and public financial management systems.
Main Duties
- Develop and implement the National Disaster Risk Financing Strategy in line with the National DRR Policy and national development priorities.
- Lead the establishment and operationalisation of sustainable disaster risk financing mechanisms, including contingency funds, emergency financing arrangements, forecast-based financing and other innovative financing instruments.
- Coordinate the integration of disaster risk financing into national planning, Medium-Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEF), sector plans and public investment programmes.
- Develop financing frameworks that prioritise prevention, mitigation, preparedness, anticipatory action and resilience-building investments.
- Lead resource mobilisation initiatives by developing funding proposals, investment cases and concept notes for bilateral and multilateral development partners, international financial institutions and climate financing mechanisms.
- Coordinate donor funding grants and financial partnerships to ensure compliance with donor requirements and national priorities.
- Develop partnerships with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Central Bank, insurance industry, financial institutions, private sector and international organisations to strengthen disaster risk financing.
- Promote disaster risk transfer mechanisms, including insurance, sovereign risk financing, catastrophe financing and public-private partnerships.
- Develop policies, operational guidelines and standard operating procedures for disaster risk financing.
- Conduct fiscal risk assessments arising from disasters and provide strategic advice to Government on disaster-related financial risks.
- Monitor national disaster risk financing gaps and recommend financing solutions for reducing disaster losses.
- Coordinate economic analysis of disaster impacts and financing requirements for preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction.
- Promote innovative financing approaches, including climate finance, resilience bonds, blended finance and resilience investment programmes.
- Coordinate the development and implementation of disaster recovery financing frameworks consistent with the Build Back Better principles.
Education and Experience
Applicants should meet one of the following requirements:
- Master’s degree in Economics / Disaster Risk Financing with at least five (5) years’ senior management experience; OR
- Honours degree in Economics / Disaster Risk Financing with at least seven (7) years’ progressively responsible experience; OR
- Bachelor’s degree in Economics / Disaster Risk Financing with ten (10) years’ progressively responsible experience.
Knowledge and Skills
- Thorough knowledge of Public Financial Management legislation and Government financial systems.
- Strong knowledge of disaster risk financing frameworks.
- Knowledge of climate finance mechanisms.
- Knowledge of sovereign risk financing instruments.
- Understanding of public investment planning.
- Knowledge of insurance and risk transfer mechanisms.
- Excellent strategic planning skills.
- Strong negotiation and partnership development skills.
- Excellent financial analysis and modelling skills.
- Proposal development and donor resource mobilisation skills.
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Computer literacy.
Other Competencies
- Strategic leadership
- Financial and economic analysis
- Policy formulation
- Negotiation and diplomacy
- Innovation and systems thinking
- Stakeholder management
- Resource mobilisation
- Results orientation
- Decision making
- Project management
Personal Attributes
- High integrity and accountability
- Strategic thinker
- Professional judgement
- High ethical standards
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Commitment to public service
- Adaptability and innovation
Responsibility
The incumbent will:
- Provide overall supervision and strategic direction to Divisional Heads and professional staff within the Directorate.
- Be responsible for the efficient utilisation, safeguarding and management of departmental assets and resources.
- Be responsible for planning, mobilisation, allocation, monitoring and effective management of departmental financial resources and oversight of disaster risk financing programmes.
- Ensure financing mechanisms support timely interventions that protect lives and livelihoods during disasters.
Errors in the position may result in significant financial losses, failure to mobilise resources, delayed disaster response, reduced donor confidence, increased national fiscal exposure and reputational damage to the Authority.
Working Conditions
- Frequent engagement with Government ministries, development partners, international financial institutions and the private sector.
- Occasional travel within Lesotho and internationally.
- High-pressure working environment during emergencies requiring rapid mobilisation of financial resources.
Application Requirements
Applications on the relevant forms of GP 104 for Serving Officers and GP 103 for First Appointment of Job Seekers, accompanied by duly certified copies of Educational Certificates and Transcripts (verified by CHE) and National Identity Document (ID), are to be hand delivered to:
The Human Resources Office
Disaster Management Authority
Red Cross Building
Nightingale Road – Leading to High Court
Closing Date
Wednesday, 28 October 2026
NB: Shortlisted candidates will undergo a compulsory psychometric assessment as per Public Service Regulations 2008.