Background ย Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:ย we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a โleave no one behindโ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. ย UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Guided by the global UNDP Strategic Plan (2022 โ 2025)ย and UNDP Country Programme for Lao PDR (2022 โ 2026), UNDP in Lao PDR works closely with the line Ministries, mass organizations, civil society, development partners, and the private sector at both national and sub-national levels in pursuit of the national socio-economic development priorities defined in Lao PDRโs five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNDPโs work is strongly focused on the provision of policy advice and technical support to the Government of Lao PDR in the design and implementation of national legislation and strategies across four broad Priority Pillars โ (1) inclusive growth and reduced inequalities, (2) UXO clearance and risk education, (3) natural resources, climate change and disaster risk reduction, as well as (4) effective, responsive, and accountable governance.ย
UNDP has a long history working in Lao PDR. UNDPโs comparative advantage has been its ability to work closely with a very broad range of government and local-level institutions at all levels. The new UNDP country programme is aligned with the 9th NSEDP and is anchored in UNDPโs long-term partnership with the Government of more than three decades. The new programme builds on the achievements of the previous CPD that saw the incorporation of the SDGs into the national planning architecture. It will aim to support Lao PDR recover from the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue its transition from LDC status, with a particular emphasis on supporting inclusive growth and reducing inequality.
The UNDPโs programming on effective, responsive and accountable governance, inter alia, focuses on the provision of policy advice and technical support to the Government of Lao PDR to (1) enhance the rule of law, access to justice, and protection of human rights, (2) strengthen peopleโs participation in decision-making through increased access to information and political representation, (3) enhance public administration reform through institutional capacity-development and implementation of the Governmentโs decentralization policy (Sam Sang Directive).ย
Being the largest global development knowledge network with particular institutional expertise on governance, UNDP in Lao PDR co-chairs the Governance Sector Working Group (along with co-chairing the Public Sector Improvement Sub-Sector Working Group and Legal and Institutional Oversight Sub-Sector Working Group) of the Round Table Process, a national mechanism to coordinate the implementation of the NSEDPs and SDGs across the governmental institutions, development partners, CSOs and the private sector.ย
The Strengthening Capacity and Effectiveness of the Peopleโs Assemblies System in Laos (STEPS) Project is a five-year initiative (2022-2026) implemented by UNDP, together with the National and Provincial Peopleโs Assemblies, with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The overall goal of STEPS is to strengthen capacity of the legislature in Laos to effectively represent, engage and respond to citizenโs needs. The project will support the national and provincial assemblies (members, technical committees and staff) in enhancing their mandates and ability to revise and approve legislation, monitor implementation of the country socio-economic development plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), better analyze societal concerns and communicate with citizens, and enhance the overall accountability and transparency system.
The Project Coordination Officer will provide high quality coordination support to the National Assembly, Peopleโs Provincial Assemblies and UNDP STEPS project team members. The Officer will help support the coordination of activities across all results of the project and support the National Assembly and Peopleโs Provincial Assemblies. The Project Coordination Officer works in a UNDP STEPS Project team of international and local project staff. The Officer works closely with the National Assemblyโs International Cooperation and Project Management Secretariat (ICPMS) and Provincial Peopleโs Assemblies (PPAs). The post holder will split their time between the UNDP STEPS office in Vientiane and the ICPMS office in the National Assembly, approximately 2-3 days per week based on the work requirements of each period of the implementation. The Project Coordination Officer will be required to travel to the PPAs and events of the project on a regular basis. The Project Coordination Officer will support the Chief Technical Specialist and Project Manager of STEPS, who guide the delivery of the projectโs approach and results framework.ย
The Officer will also work in close collaboration with the UNDP Lao PDR Programme and Operations teams and maintain effective working relationships with the National Assembly and PPAs and other partners such as UN agencies.ย
The Project Coordination Officer for the National Assembly and Peopleโs Provincial Assemblies will work under direct supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist, with task supervision by the Project Manager. The officer will be required to closely coordinate with ICPMS staff and follow the guidance and protocol of ICPMS of the Head/Deputy Head of the ICPMS and the ICPMS Liaison Officers.
Duties and Responsibilities:Ensure effective coordination of key project activities.
Coordinate between National Assembly, Provincial Peopleโs Assemblies, ICPMS staff and UNDP STEPS project staff in line with the STEPS Projectโs workplan, project document and results framework. Support coordination of project activities as requested by the National Assembly or Provincial Peopleโs Assemblies in collaboration for the other Project Coordination Officer, ICPMS Liaison Officer and ICPMS staff. Support the Chief Technical Specialist (CTS) to identify key policy/programmatic gaps and opportunities. Collaborate with project staff and support international and national consultants for quality assurance and timely completion of tasks. Provide and facilitate high quality coordination between stakeholders and support the Chief Technical Specialist and consultants in activities, coordinating with the Head/Deputy of the ICPMS and ICPMS staff.Ensure effective project planning and implementation.
Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.
Support the M&E specialist in collection of data for the M&E framework targets and indicators. Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set; Support the preparation of donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements. Review and provide inputs to reports based on data from the coordination and implementation of activities.ยProvide relevant and timely technical and advisory support to project staff NA and PPAs on matters related to parliamentary project activities, in coordination with the ICPMS.
Provide advisory support to project staff on the workings and activities of the Parliament; Identify key issues for the Chief Technical Specialist for national and sub-national policy support and advisory regarding parliamentary development issues.Facilitate knowledge and capacity building and knowledge sharingย relevant to the assigned thematic area(s).
Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners. Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project Facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDPโs engagement in this area.ยThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies:Core competencies:
Achieve Results:ย LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline. Think Innovatively:ย LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.ย Learn Continuously:ย LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. Adapt with Agility:ย LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleย Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident. Engage and Partner:ย LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:ย
Business Direction and Strategyย ย ย ย ย ย ย
System Thinking:ย Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.Business Management ย ย ย ย ย ย
Partnerships Management:ย Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies. Project Management:ย Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. Monitoring:ย Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.2030 Agenda: Peaceย
Governance:ย Inclusion & Participation; Core Government Functions;ย Parliamentary Institutions Required Skills and Experience:Education: Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Development Studies or other relevant discipline is required. Orย A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the above-mentioned fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: Minimum of 2 years (with masterโs degree) or 4 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience in the areas of parliamentary affairs, local governance, and capacity development in Lao PDR. Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MSย Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, andย advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Experience and thorough understanding of the political, administrative, and institutional set up of the government. Experience working directly in the National Assembly of Lao PDR, as senior staff member. Experience in designing and delivering effective institutional strengthening programs in parliament.ย Experience and technical knowledge in governance and parliamentary strengthening Experience in providing advisory services to and advocating with senior public officials.
Required Languages:
English and Laoย Disclaimerย Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)ย ย Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.ย
ย UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications. ย Applicant information about UNDP rosters ย Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. ย Non-discrimination
ย UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.ย ย ย UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.ย ย Scam warning ย The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.