Strengthening the Migration–Development Nexus in Africa
National Consultant – Lesotho
Job Opening ID: 269519
Job Family: Economic Affairs
Category and Level: Consultants (CON)
Work Location: Lesotho
Department/Office: Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
Expected Duration: 6 months
Application Deadline: 28 December 2025
Result of Service
The consultant shall, within the relevant timeframe, provide to the ECA SRO-NA the following deliverables:
- R1: An initial inception report demonstrating a clear understanding of the assignment, including the work to be undertaken, conceptual framework, methodology, work plan, annotated report outline, and chronogram of activities.
- R2: A country situation analysis report on the assessment of the existing framework, available data, and institutional, legal, and financial aspects related to remittances and their contribution to sustainable development in Lesotho. This report will include:
- Identified gaps and challenges in building an effective regulatory, investment, and institutional framework, as well as relevant information systems;
- A proposed effective regulatory and institutional framework based on Lesotho’s context and international experience;
- Suggested strategic tools, instruments, and policy reforms tailored to the needs of the Diaspora to channel remittances into investments in Lesotho.
- R3: A detailed roadmap outlining actions, reforms, and policies with timelines, including a clear action plan to better leverage Diaspora investments and contributions to Lesotho’s development.
- R4: Design and proposal of a final national workshop to present and endorse the action plan.
Background and Rationale
Diasporas contribute significantly to sustainable development in both destination and origin countries through economic, social, and cultural contributions. Remittances have become the main external financial inflow in many African countries, surpassing official development assistance and foreign direct investment. Despite this, diaspora contributions remain underutilized due to gaps in regulatory, institutional, and policy frameworks.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes migrants’ contributions, including SDG 10.c on reducing remittance transaction costs. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (2018) further emphasizes enabling migrants’ contributions to development through policy integration, investment facilitation, and institutional support.
In this context, ECA is implementing the programme “Strengthening the Migration–Development Nexus in Africa” (2024–2028), supporting selected African countries, including Lesotho, to integrate diaspora contributions into national development strategies and optimize the developmental impact of remittances.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Subregional Initiatives Section and the Economic Affairs Officer, and the overall supervision of the Director of the North Africa Regional Office, the consultant will:
- Ensure the involvement of relevant stakeholders, including government ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, private sector, and civil society.
- Prepare an inception report outlining the conceptual framework, methodology, work plan, annotated report structure, and activity timeline.
- Assess the existing institutional, legal, financial, and data frameworks related to remittances and development in Lesotho.
- Identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities for optimizing diaspora investment and remittance flows.
- Review Lesotho’s investment project viability to attract diaspora remittances.
- Prepare a country situation analysis report with policy reforms and strategic tools tailored to diaspora needs.
- Develop and propose an effective regulatory and institutional framework based on national context and international experience.
- Elaborate a detailed roadmap with actions, reforms, policies, timelines, monitoring and evaluation matrix, and coordination structures.
- Provide technical support to ensure endorsement of the action plan.
- Participate in national, regional, and subregional meetings and workshops as a resource person.
- Develop and implement two workshops: a mid-term workshop and a final endorsement workshop.
Deliverables and Timeline
- 2 days after contract signature: Introductory meeting with ECA and relevant ministries
- 3 weeks: Submission of inception report (R1)
- 1.5 months: Presentation of assessment findings to ECA and National Technical Working Group
- 3.5 months: Submission of first draft of country situation analysis report (R2) and participation in mid-term workshop
- 4 months: Submission of final country situation analysis report (R2)
- 5 months: Submission of first draft of roadmap and action plan (R3)
- 6 months: Submission of final roadmap and implementation of national endorsement workshop (R4)
Qualifications and Skills
- Advanced university degree (Master’s) in Economics, International Economics, Finance, Statistics, Development Economics, or a related field (PhD is an advantage).
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in economic research and analysis.
- Experience in analytical policy research or macroeconomic analysis in Africa or Southern Africa is an advantage.
Languages
- Fluency in English is required.
- Fluency in French is desirable.
Additional Information
No fee is charged by the United Nations at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing, or training). The United Nations does not request information on applicants’ bank accounts.