UNDP empowers public sector with training in policy, strategic planning

Landmark initiative equips government professionals with tools for evidence-based policymaking and inclusive development

MOSA MAOENG

LERIBE – In a stride towards enhancing national development efficacy, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, with robust support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has successfully concluded an intensive two-week training for senior public sector professionals.

The capacity-building workshop, held from August 11 to 22, was meticulously designed to fortify the skills of key officials in critical areas of policy formulation, strategic planning, and evidence-based analysis.

The training brought together 31 participants from a cross-section of key Ministries, including Justice and Law, Trade, Gender, Social Development and Finance itself. This diverse representation underscored a whole-of-government approach to strengthening the foundational skills required for achieving Lesotho’s national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For many participants, the training provided much-needed clarity and structure to their daily work. In an interview, Nkoe Majara, a Senior Economic Planner at the Ministry of Social Development, articulated a common sentiment, revealing that while policy formulation is a routine task, the underlying principles are not always fully grasped.

“We always formulate policies but most of the time, we do not fundamentally understand what we are doing, what a well-constructed policy should look like, or what essential details it must include,” Majara stated.

“This training has equipped us with that foundational knowledge. We have also learned the critical importance of collaborating with technical consultants to create robust and effective policies.”

Majara elaborated on the key takeaways, emphasizing the importance of a structured, inclusive process, highlighting that “we learned the concrete steps to take when formulating policies and strategies. A crucial lesson is the principle of leaving no one behind.

This means proactively engaging all responsible stakeholders from the outset. When everyone shares the same mandate and understanding, everything proceeds more smoothly.”

He also highlighted the often-underutilized role of the media in development planning.

“Including the media is a vital step. They play an indispensable role in communicating policies, fostering public dialogue, and holding institutions accountable, which is fundamental for national development.”

Furthermore, Majara noted a shift in thinking about national goal-setting: “We learned to craft shorter, more achievable visions. A longer, more complex vision can be difficult to communicate and realize, making it hard to articulate our country’s direction on the international stage.”

The training was positioned as a core component of UNDP’s strategic mandate in Lesotho. Speaking on behalf of the UNDP Resident Representative, Senior Economic Advisor, Souleman Boukar, connected the initiative to broader global efforts.

“This training is at the heart of UNDP’s strategic support, which aims to strengthen national capacities to reduce poverty and achieve the SDGs,” Boukar said.

“This means working closely with programme countries like Lesotho to assist them in developing strategies, policies, and structures that will have a deep, systemic impact on their development trajectory.”

Boukar provided a rich historical context, noting Lesotho’s deep-seated tradition in national planning, which dates back to its early years of independence. He observed that this tradition was interrupted during the era of structural adjustment programs (1981-2000) but has seen a vigorous resurgence over the past two decades.

“Planning has come back to the fore with initiatives like the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, coupled with a prospective approach that projects development over a long-term horizon,” Boukar explained.

“The management of public policies is now considered as an integrated cycle – a chain whose links include prospective analysis, planning, budgeting, control, monitoring, and evaluation. Each component is essential for success.”

He concluded by urging participants to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

“Learning must go hand in hand with application. The knowledge and skills acquired here will only bear fruit if they are effectively put into practice within your ministries.”

Echoing this sentiment, the Ministry of Finance’s Acting Deputy Principal Secretary, Mahlape Ramoseme, confirmed that the participants had engaged deeply with the entire public policy cycle.

“You have explored strategic planning frameworks and examined the vital role that evidence, analysis, and inclusivity play in shaping effective and sustainable policies,” she said.

“These are not abstract concepts but practical tools that, applied diligently, have the power to transform how we design, implement, and evaluate policies for our nation.”

Ramoseme revealed a key strategic design of the programme, it was structured as a Training of Trainers. This approach was chosen to maximize its impact and ensure sustainability beyond the two-week session.

“This means that each of us who participated is not only a beneficiary of this capacity-building exercise but also an ambassador of knowledge,” Ramoseme declared.

“You are entrusted with the responsibility to take the lessons, tools, and approaches acquired and cascade them within your respective institutions. You are now the catalysts for change within your departments.”

This multiplier effect is expected to build stronger, more cohesive teams, strengthen institutional memory and capacity, and ensure that expertise is disseminated widely, benefiting the many public servants engaged in policy work across the government.

Ramoseme concluded by reinforcing the core message of collaborative governance.

“No single institution, ministry, or department can succeed in isolation. The rich discussions we shared during this training reinforce a simple but powerful truth, the success of Lesotho’s national development agenda rests on our collective commitment.

It is only when we work together, guided by evidence and driven by a shared, achievable vision, that we can truly advance the development priorities of our country.”

The workshop stands as a testament to the strong partnership between government and the UNDP, marking a pivotal step towards a more planned, evidence-based, and inclusive future for the nation.