Background
The Government of Lesotho is implementing a Multisectoral Nutrition Project aimed at reducing malnutrition in all its forms, particularly stunting, wasting, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight. Nutrition is recognized as a key driver of human capital development, economic growth, and poverty reduction.
Malnutrition poses a significant challenge to Lesotho’s human capital development. The persistent high levels of childhood malnutrition threaten to undermine the country’s human and economic potential. Lesotho is ranked among the top 30 countries globally with the highest burden of stunting.
According to the Demographic and Health Survey (2023/24), the rate of stunting among children under five has increased from 33% in 2014 to 36% in 2024. The World Health Organization classifies this prevalence as being of “very high” public health significance.
Stunting rates are higher among:
- Children living in rural areas (38.8%) compared to urban areas (29.1%).
- Children from the poorest households (46.1%) compared to those from the richest households (24.2%).
The Government intends to develop a comprehensive Multisectoral Nutrition Project integrating interventions across:
- Health
- Agriculture
- Education
- Social Protection
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
- Environment
- Local Governance
The Government seeks to engage a qualified Nutrition Expert to support the preparation of the Lesotho Multisectoral Nutrition Project.
The successful candidate will support the Director of the Food and Nutrition Coordinating Office (FNCO) by providing leadership, coordination, and technical guidance on multisectoral nutrition programmes involving health, agriculture, education, social protection, WASH, and food systems.
Objective of the Assignment
The Nutrition Expert will be responsible for designing, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring integrated nutrition interventions across multiple sectors.
The successful candidate will work closely with government agencies, development partners, NGOs, and community stakeholders to strengthen nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific programmes while ensuring alignment with national nutrition policies and international standards.
Scope of Work
The Nutrition Expert will:
- Provide technical leadership in the design and implementation of multisectoral nutrition programmes.
- Develop strategies integrating nutrition into health, agriculture, education, social protection, WASH, and food security initiatives.
- Coordinate with government ministries, UN agencies, NGOs, and development partners.
- Support policy development and implementation of national nutrition strategies and action plans.
- Conduct nutrition assessments, situation analyses, and needs assessments.
- Develop annual work plans, budgets, and implementation frameworks.
- Strengthen nutrition surveillance, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems.
- Analyse nutrition data and prepare technical reports, policy briefs, and donor reports.
- Build the capacity of government staff, partners, and community workers through training and mentoring.
- Ensure programmes comply with donor requirements and international nutrition standards.
- Promote evidence-based decision-making through operational research and knowledge management.
- Represent the organisation in national technical working groups and coordination platforms.
- Support resource mobilisation through proposal development and technical input.
Key Performance Indicators
Performance will be measured through:
- Improved nutrition indicators in target populations.
- Timely implementation of nutrition activities.
- Quality and timely submission of technical reports.
- Increased partner coordination and collaboration.
- Capacity-building achievements.
- Compliance with donor and organisational requirements.
- Successful integration of nutrition into sectoral programmes.
Duration of Assignment
The consultancy is for a minimum period of five (5) months, depending on the scope of work and funding arrangements.
Reporting Arrangements
The Nutrition Expert will report to the Director, Food and Nutrition Coordinating Office (FNCO) under the Office of the Prime Minister and will work closely with the Project Preparation Team and relevant line ministries.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants must possess:
- An advanced degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Development Economics, Agriculture, or a related field.
- At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in nutrition programming.
- At least ten (10) years of experience in nutrition, food systems, or multisectoral development programmes.
- Experience managing multisectoral nutrition projects funded by organisations such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), USAID, or the European Union.
- Experience working with government ministries and local communities.
- Demonstrated experience in programme planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Experience in emergency nutrition or resilience programming will be an added advantage.
Required Competencies
Technical Skills
- Strong knowledge of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions.
- Knowledge of maternal, infant, young child, and adolescent nutrition.
- Understanding of food security, agriculture, social protection, and WASH programming.
- Proficiency in nutrition assessments and survey methodologies.
- Strong monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) skills.
- Data analysis using Excel, SPSS, STATA, or Power BI.
- Proposal writing and donor reporting.
- Budget planning and project management.
Core Competencies
- Strategic thinking.
- Leadership and team management.
- Stakeholder engagement and partnership building.
- Communication and presentation skills.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Report writing.
- Facilitation and training.
- Negotiation and advocacy.
- Cultural sensitivity.
- Results-oriented approach.
Duty Station
The successful candidate will be based in Lesotho, with travel to project sites and participating ministries as required.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
- A cover letter outlining their suitability for the position.
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Contact details of three (3) traceable referees.
Applications should be emailed with the subject:
Application for Nutrition Expert at Lesotho Multisectoral Nutrition Project – Preparation Phase (PPG)
Email: [email protected]
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted on or before 10 August 2026.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.