National Specialist - Development of LAC Strategic Plan
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a UN specialized agency dedicated to defeating hunger and ensuring food security globally. FAO operates in over 130 countries, supporting sustainable agriculture and rural development. In Lesotho, FAO is assisting the Lesotho Agricultural College (LAC) to become a Centre of Excellence. This involves developing a five-year Strategic Plan (2026–2031) and key policies to enhance its academic programmes and accreditation readiness.
Job Purpose
The National Specialist will support the Lesotho Agricultural College (LAC) management in developing its five-year Strategic Plan (2026–2031). This involves conducting essential analytical work, gathering input from various stakeholders, and drafting the strategic plan document. The role is crucial for guiding LAC's growth, research focus, and operational effectiveness, ensuring it aligns with national and international quality assurance standards and positions the college for accreditation.
Responsibilities
The incumbent will review institutional documents, conduct PESTLE and internal organizational assessments, and produce a Strategic Audit Report with a SWOT analysis. They will facilitate consultative workshops with Ministry, LAC staff, students, alumni, and external stakeholders to gather input and build consensus. The specialist will participate in goal-setting and strategy-formulation workshops to define strategic priorities. Responsibilities include preparing a draft Strategic Plan with a Costed Implementation Plan and M&E Framework, presenting it for validation, revising it based on feedback, and delivering a professionally formatted Final Strategic Plan and a Final Consultancy Report detailing the process and recommendations.
Work Experience
Requires ten years of demonstrated experience leading and facilitating strategic planning processes, preferably for higher education or public sector institutions, ideally within the agriculture or agribusiness sector.
Skills
Essential skills include strong knowledge of the national context, particularly food security, agriculture, and rural development. A solid understanding of the agriculture and higher education sectors, including funding, research metrics, governance, and ranking mechanisms, is crucial. Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder processes, excellent facilitation, communication, and report-writing skills are required. Proficiency in English and Sesotho is necessary.