Programme Manager - Lesotho

Context

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – International IDEA – is an Inter- Governmental Organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. The Institute acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing global comparative knowledge resources and tools, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests, specifically in electoral processes, constitution building processes, political participation and representation, democracy and climate change, and democracy and digitalization.

International IDEA is managing a four-year EU Delegation Lesotho funded project to ‘Support to inclusive political participation and representation in Lesotho’. The undertaking aims to address recommendations from international Election Observer Mission (EOM) 2022 reports especially the EU election observer mission that highlighted the importance of implementing civic education campaigns as a continuous effort rather than limiting them to the months leading up to elections and the AU election observer mission that recommended political parties and other actors to undertake actions to promote gender equality and participation of persons with disabilities. To note, the project builds on previous EU-funded such as the Participatory Initiative for Social Accountability (PISA II).

The Programme Manager will be responsible for implementation of the project’s goals and realization of the intended impacts in line with the EU and International IDEA policies. With a proven track record of project management within the area of democracy and governance support, with a strong focus on project planning and implementation, and importantly inclusion in political processes, the Programme Manager will oversee the execution of project delivery, ensuring close communication and coordination with co-implementing partners and the donor. The position also provides direction and ensures cohesion of the project partners on aspects of programming and compliance with IDEA’s and donor requirements. The Programme Manager will work in close collaboration with the Head of Programmes and Senior Advisor – Elections in the Africa and West Asia Regional Office, and with colleagues in Global Programmes at Headquarters.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Support the planning, implementation, quality assurance, and monitoring and reporting of all project activities as identified in the Project Document and annual workplans, ensuring compliance with donor and International IDEA regulations and coherence of the overall project;
2. Provides strategic guidance to the team for the management, facilitation and support to the work of the project boundary partners;
3. Supports management of the overall design, development and production of the project’s knowledge resources and tools such as online digital resource/repository, e-learning tools, databases, parliamentary primers, thematic briefs and publications; conceptualizes and provides technical expertise;
4. Assesses and analyses political developments to inform adaptive programming;
5. Is accountable for project finances and grant management, and ensures that financial planning supports the delivery of project results and demonstrates value for money;
6. Tracks performance linked to disbursement of funds to partners and grantees;
7. Maintains regular communication with the donor and provides timely project-related progressive reports;
8. Ensures consistent liaison, consultation and engagement with key project partners and stakeholders;
9. Ensures that a rights-based approach and a gender and diversity perspective are integrated in project planning and implementation of activities;
10. Liaises and works in cooperation and coordination with other areas of work within International IDES’s Regional Office and IDEA’s Global programmes, as well as with the donor, boundary partners and other relevant partners and stakeholders;
11. Manages the overall project risk assessment and management, actively manages risks and regularly updates the risk management strategy in line with International IDEA policies and procedures;
12. Documents lessons learned, stories, case studies and evidence related to the delivery of project results, linking to the broader policy engagement communication, publicity and visibility efforts both locally and internationally;
13. Manages and empowers a team of technical staff, fostering a spirit of collaboration, support and team cohesion and encourages their professional development, particularly in the areas of documentation and reporting;
14. Represents International IDEA at relevant coordination meetings.

General Profile

• Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through academic achievements, excellent skills including managerial skills and relevant experience in their field;
• Manages assigned projects throughout the project life cycle, i.e. from strategic planning and project design, funding and budgeting to project assessment and accountability; leads meetings and discussions, supervises publications and input from external providers;
• Has contributed to publications on their relevant subject; is recognized as a knowledge resource in his/her broad professional community;
• Has the intellectual leadership to integrate innovation into his/her field of expertise;
• Directly manages a team of contributors to the project, including staff members and consultants;
• Fosters team-based activities in his/her unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute;
• Acts as a model and mentor for colleagues;
• Is expected to travel to any geographical area involved in his/her projects;
• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
• Acts in accordance with International IDEA’s Core Values; Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;
• Integrates a gender and inclusion perspective in all activities.

Reporting line

• Director, Africa and West Asia Region

Education and Experience

• Post graduate degree in Social Science, Political Science, Development Studies or other relevant discipline;
• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in project management, coordination, strategic and advisory experience in the field of democracy and governance support, with a focus on political participation and representation, in developing country contexts, preferably in Africa;
• At least three (3) years’ experience in management positions;
• Proven experience of project coordination and management during all stages of the project cycle in developing country contexts, including experience with flexible and adaptive project delivery is essential;
• Experience working with major development partners and government institutions including election management bodies in Lesotho and Africa in general is essential;
• Experience with EU funded projects and requirements, as well as familiarity with their processes and systems is essential;
• Fluency in written and oral in English is required. Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region would be an asset.

Terms of Contract:

• Local Post.
• Fixed term appointment with an initial duration of two  (2) years.
• Salary LSL 59 968 gross per month.

Please note as this is a local post, International IDEA will bear no costs relating to the relocation of the selected candidate to the duty station. This position is open to those legally authorized to live and work in Lesotho for the duration of the contract. International IDEA is not able to support work permit applications. 

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted online no later than 23:59 (CET) 16 March 2025. 
• Please note that all applications must be made in English.

Selection Process:

• Evaluation of qualified candidates will include a written test assessment and up to two (2) interviews.
• Candidates selected to proceed to the next stage of the process will be contacted once all applications have been carefully reviewed.
• All candidates will be notified of the status of their application via email once the process has been finalized.

International IDEA is an equal-opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.