Thematic Evaluation on role of UNDP in creating inclusive employment in Lesotho
The objective of this thematic evaluation is to assess the contribution of UNDP projects and programmes to the national objectives for creating inclusive employment in Lesotho, as outlined by the NSDP II, to measure the achievements, impact and role played by UNDP across different projects and partnerships and to inform the design, policy, and implementation strategies of future programmes in UNDP. This thematic evaluation covered the period between 2019 and 2021. It was conducted from August to October 2022, to provide a strategic direction and inputs to the preparation of the new programming cycle starting from 2024, the country analysis and establish programme niche areas in context of the forthcoming United National Development Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDF).
Summary of Findings
- Interventions are aligned to the NSDP II 2019-2023, UNDAF 2019-2023 and past programmess, are informed by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063, and guided by the UNDP Strategic Plan, 2018–2021.
- Evidence and feedback from stakeholders indicate that the UNDP has contributed in several ways in improving capacities to create job opportunities in Lesotho, though not satisfactorily as per the set targets and relevant approaches , resources and programme models were used to achieve the planned results. However, partners perceived HACT processes to have derailed implementation and payment of services rendered particularly under GVC and SSP.
- UNDP established mechanisms to ensure sustainability of interventions intended to create or catalyse employment and the selected implementing partners can to some extent continue to lead the interventions beyond interventions’ implementation cycle.
- Government is perceived as a poor exit strategy for these interventions, as it often does not have the capacity to sustain results when it is left as the main responsible party, as such the main focus should be on strengthening the community and the private sector to take over at the end of project to sustain results of interventions
- UNDP should systematically plan their partnership building with the view of achieving their objectives and priorities, document information and performance of the various partnerships and projects implemented.
Output 1.1.2 Marginalised groups, particularly the poor, women, people with disabilities and displaced are empowered to gain universal access to basic services and financial and non-financial assets to build productive capacities and benefit from sustainable livelihoods and jobs
Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
1.b Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions
5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
17.14 Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development
17.18 By 2020, enhance capacity-building support to developing countries, including for least developed countries and small island developing States, to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts
1: Others
Outcome 2: By 2023, government and private sector increase opportunities for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, improved food security, and decent work, especially for women, youth and PwDs