KINGDOM OF LESOTHO
LESOTHO LOWLANDS WATER DEVELOPMENT AND SANITATION PROJECT – ADDITIONAL FINANCING
Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for Youth Apprenticeship
Sector: Water and Sanitation
Project ID No.: P-LS-E00-009
1. Background
The Kingdom of Lesotho has received additional financing from the African Development Bank in various currencies towards the cost of the Lesotho Lowlands Water Development and Sanitation Project Phase III. Part of the proceeds of this loan will be applied to eligible payments under youth apprenticeship contracts.
2. Objective
The objectives of engaging youth apprentices are to:
- Build job-ready competencies in priority WASH functions, including design, construction supervision, HSE safeguards, monitoring and evaluation, legal, procurement, financial management and compliance.
- Generate verifiable outputs that contribute to project deliverables, including datasets, drawings, reports and oversight logs.
- Support practical workplace learning through attachment to the Project and relevant water-sector institutions.
- Support the programme objective of achieving at least 70% job placement within six months after completion, as stated in the original EOI.
3. Description of the Assignment
The Youth Apprenticeship Programme will provide practical training and supervised workplace exposure to suitably qualified candidates in the following areas:
- Civil/Construction Engineering.
- Water and Wastewater.
- Electromechanical/Instrumentation Engineering.
- Community Liaison.
- Environmental Management.
- Procurement.
- Accounting/Financial Management.
- Legal Services.
One apprentice will be selected for each area and will undertake assigned duties under the supervision of the relevant Discipline Mentor, reporting administratively to the Project Manager.
4. Key Tasks and Responsibilities
The candidates will be expected to perform, among others, the following tasks:
- Conduct data collection in the specified project areas using data-collection tools developed by the Project.
- Present raw data to the Project Engineer and the Social and Environmental Manager.
- Assist in monitoring civil works construction.
- Assist in promoting water, sanitation and hygiene activities.
- Assist in topographic surveys and preliminary designs.
- Assist in supervision of civil works construction activities.
- Assist in navigating land rights, water rights, environmental regulations and contract law, areas often overlooked yet critical for project success.
- Contribute to accurate budgeting, auditing and value-for-money tracking.
- Assist with procurement and contract administration, construction supervision protocols, measurement and BOQ basics, change control, quality assurance, office administration and other activities assigned from time to time.
- Comply with ethics, anti-corruption requirements, the code of conduct, professional communication, report writing and teamwork.
- Undertake other reasonable work-related tasks assigned by the relevant mentor.
5. Invitation and Selection
The Lesotho Lowlands Water Development and Sanitation Project Phase III now invites eligible Basotho candidates to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested applicants must provide information to demonstrate their qualifications and competencies for the assignment in the following areas:
- Civil/Construction Engineering.
- Water and Wastewater.
- Electromechanical/Instrumentation Engineering.
- Community Liaison.
- Environmental Management.
- Procurement.
- Accounting/Financial Management.
- Legal Services.
The minimum requirements are:
- Relevant degree for the role.
- Graduation within the last three (3) years is preferred.
- Basic digital literacy and willingness to work in field/site conditions.
- Commitment to the programme’s ethics, safety and inclusion requirements.
- Highly motivated, self-driven and eager to learn new skills.
- Fluency in oral and written English.
- 35 years of age or below.
Eligible applications will be screened against the minimum requirements in the Terms of Reference. Shortlisting and selection will consider academic fit, relevant skills, motivation and other approved programme considerations, followed by structured technical and behavioural interviews.
Where quantitative evaluation criteria are applied, the approved scoring and weighting shall be communicated and applied consistently to all eligible applicants.
The selection process shall be undertaken in accordance with the applicable African Development Bank requirements, the Financing Agreement and the Project’s approved recruitment arrangements.
6. Duration and Duty Station
The apprenticeship is expected to be for a period of eighteen (18) months, subject to the approved project arrangements and individual apprenticeship/employment contracts.
Duty Station: The Project offices in Maseru and Botha-Bothe, with travel to other locations as required for assignment delivery.
7. Terms of Reference and Submission
The detailed Terms of Reference for the individual apprenticeship positions form part of this recruitment package and set out the position-specific qualifications, responsibilities and expected outputs.
The full Terms of Reference can be obtained at the address below.
Interested candidates should submit their applications, which will include:
- A signed application/cover letter indicating the position applied for.
- A detailed and updated Curriculum Vitae.
- Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates.
- Any other supporting information required to demonstrate compliance with the minimum requirements.
Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.
How to Apply
Applications must be delivered or submitted electronically to the address below no later than 2 November 2026 at 16:30.
Applications should clearly indicate the position applied for.
Project Manager
Lesotho Lowlands Water Development and Sanitation Project Phase III
LNDC Development House, Block D, Level 9
Constitution Road, Maseru 100
Lesotho
Email: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]
Closing Date
2 November 2026 at 16:30