Background

The Lao PDR is, per capita, the most heavily bombed nation in the world. During the Indochina conflict in the 1960s and 1970s, it was the scene of extensive ground battles and intensive aerial bombardments. Records indicate that over two million tons of bombs were used, including more than 270 million sub-munitions from cluster munitions, and that up to 30% of them failed to explode. Some 40 years after the war ended unexploded ordnance (UXO) still poses a threat to Lao PDR. As well as causing deaths and injuries, UXO impacts on the lives of Lao people across the country by contributing to food insecurity in limiting safe access to potentially rich agricultural land. In addition, the cost of implementing development projects is increased in UXO contaminated areas when land needs to be cleared causing delays; and in some cases, stops projects entirely.

Today, UXO constitutes a significant obstacle to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as national plans to lift the country out of the list of Least Developed Countries by 2020. In 2010, a new MDG9 was adopted to “reduce the impact of UXO in Laos.”

UNDP Lao PDR supports two governmental institutions in the UXO Sector, i.e. UXO Lao, the national clearance operator; and the National Regulatory Authority in Mine/UXO Sector (NRA), a coordinator and regulator of the UXO sector. In terms of funding the UXO Unit is the largest portfolio in UNDP Lao PDR. Currently projects are funded by more than 10 different donors including the complexion of earmarked and un-earmarked contributions. The UXO Unit has started developing a new project beyond the end of the current project cycle in December 2015. Regular communication of results is closely linked to the resource mobilization strategy for the current and future project cycles.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The objective of the assignment is to support UXO Unit in UNDP Laos CO in improving donor reporting, external communication, and research/collect sector level development data and baselines for the formulation of new UNDP Lao UXO project document. Specific tasks include but are not limited to the following:
  • Under the direct supervision of UXO Portfolio Manager/Head of UXO Unit (Portfolio Manager), the incumbent supports the Unit in providing timely and high quality reports and proposals on the UXO projects. In doing so, she/he will contribute to partnerships development and Unit’s resource mobilization. She/he is also responsible for building capacity of UXO unit staff and project counterparts to improve quality of reporting;
  • Development and implementation of a donor strategy (partners, needs and priorities, perception of UNDP by its current and potential future partners, and projection of UNDP’ added value and potential role);
  • In close collaboration with UNDP Communication Unit, improve external communication;
  • Conduct research and collect sector level data on relevant sectors for the formulation of the new UXO Lao project document, enabling UXO Unit of UNDP to ensure the alignment of UXO project with key development indicators, baselines and targets;
  • Perform other duties as required.
Expected Deliverables during the six months period:
  • At least four donor reports finalized;
  • Draft tentative work plan for development of new project document beyond the end of current project cycle in December 2015;
  • Draft resource mobilization strategy;
  • Draft concept on standardization of funding proposals and donor reporting;
  • Review and update of relevant communication material;
  • Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to new project document.
For details of the scope of work, terms of reference, evaluation criteria and submission requirement s please visit the following link at UNDP Lao PDR Country Office website: http://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/operations/jobs/.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling UNDP’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Advisers/Technical Specialists must comply with national laws and are subject to UNDP’s Code of Conduct for the Advisers.
Functional Competencies:
  • Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
  • Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
  • Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;
  • Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualification:
  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in international affairs, development studies, political or social sciences or related field.
Professional Experience:
  • Minimum 2 years of relevant experience at the international level;
  • Some hands-on experience in the development context.

Language:

  • Fluent in written and spoken English.
 Note:
  • Request for clarification should be sent to the following email  account in writing: viratsamay.visonnavong@undp.org.