Historique

The Lao PDR has the unwanted distinction of being the most heavily bombed country in the world. More than half a million US bombing missions were carried out between 1964 and 1973, dropping more than 2 million tons of explosive ordnance on the country. This included more than 270 million cluster sub-munitions, known as ‘bombies’. Significant land battles also contributed large quantities of unexploded heavy bombs, rockets, grenades, artillery munitions, mortars, anti-personnel landmines, and improvised explosive devices (IED). It is estimated that up to 30% of these items did not explode as intended  and remain active in and on the ground, limiting physical safely and hindering socio-economic development some forty years after the ceasefire.

Today, UXO constitutes an obstacle to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) as well as national plans to lift the country out of the list of “Least Developed Country” Status by 2020. In 2010, MDG 9 was adopted by the Lao PDR to “reduce the impact of UXO in Laos”.

 National efforts to address UXO contamination were initiated in the mid 1970s. Lao began receiving international assistance in the 1990s, initially through specialist Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) and then from the United Nations. In 1996, the Government, with the support of UNDP, established a national agency called UXO Lao. Eight years later a national strategic plan was adopted and the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) was established in 2004 to monitor its implementation and coordinate UXO activities in Lao PDR. The NRA became operational in 2006. In 2009, a revised strategy, Safe Path Forward II (2011-2020) was developed and now guides the sector. These two organizations are the national elements of an overall programme that has broad involvements from the Government of Lao PDR, International NGOs and civil society in the country.

The UXO programme supported by UNDP works in close alignment to the priorities of the UNDP Strategic Plan for 2014 - 2017 – particularly in the areas of resilience-building, poverty reduction and support to the MDG (where MDG 9’s goal of reducing the impact of UXO is a crosscutting goal) and subsequent Sustainable Development Goals.

 The NRA has a staff of more than forty and is led by a Director and two Deputy Directors. It has nine units including public relations and a Finance Unit. The NRA receives continued UNDP support through the “National Implementation Modality” (NIM) mechanism. UXO Lao is responsible for technical survey, roving tasks, area clearance, and community awareness activities in nine of the most heavily contaminated provinces in the country. It is the single largest programme (with a staff of around 1,200) that UNDP supports in the Lao PDR. 

The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) entered force on 1st August 2010 with Lao PDR as an initial signatory. Laos reinforced its commitment to the process by hosting the 1st Meeting of the States Parties in Vientiane in November 2010.

The NRA and UXO Lao intend on doing everything they can within the resources available to assist with this objective. UNDP will continue to assist the Government of Lao PDR to mobilise the resources required for this effort, and at the same time, to strengthen its oversight and operational roles. Part of the framework for this work will be formed by the Capacity Assessment (CA) undertaken by the NRA and UXO Lao, with support from UNDP, in 2014. This CA identified a number of agreed Action Points to aid the further development of both organisations. The CA also concluded that one TA team should provide sector wide support to both institutions.   

 In this context, the Chief Technical Advisor to the UXO Sector is required to provide technical guidance and assistance to the NRA, UXO Lao and the broader UXO sector. This will be done in conjunction with UNDP’s other technical advisors who support the NRA and UXO Lao and with the support of the UNDP UXO Unit.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Summary of Key Functions:

The day to day work of the Chief Technical Advisor to the UXO sector (CTA) will be guided by the Directors of the NRA and UXO Lao to ensure effective implementation of the projects and enhance national ownership and results. This work will be done in close collaboration with UNDP. The core activities identified below are drawn from Safe Path Forward II, the recently conducted institutional Capacity Assessment, and the broad framework of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM).

 The CTA’s performance assessment will be managed by the Deputy Resident Representative working in consultation with the UXO Lao stakeholders.

The CTA will provide high level advice and guidance and support development of the capacity of NRA and UXO Lao in the following areas:

• UXO sector coordination;
• Regulation and National Standards;
• International Cooperation and assistance;
• National Implementation Measures and domestic legislation;
• CCM related issues including conferences;
• Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Development;
• Quality of Programme/Operations;
• Support to effective monitoring and evaluation;
• Support to NRA and UXO Lao;
• This work will be undertaken with a strong emphasis on developing the overall capacity of the NRA and UXO Lao to deliver an effective UXO clearance programme.

UXO Sector coordination

• Advise on the overall coordination and direction of the UXO sector;
• Support UXO sector organisations in ensuring effective coordination and communication between UXO sector stakeholders;
• Advise on the development, implementation and monitoring of the National Strategic Plan (Safe Path Forward II) for UXO/mine Action, ensuring that the plan is in line with national development objectives and priorities - this should include ensuring that the NRA has the capacity to monitor the implementation of the Strategic Plan and that annual targets are met;
• Support the development of the NRA (office and board)’s capacity to exercise its mandate, in particular the secretariat function to the UXO Sector Working Group in close coordination with the Co-Chairs (NRA UNDP and the US Department of State), and Technical Working Groups (TWG); the implementation of accreditation and licensing procedures; the implementation of monitoring mechanisms; data collection and analysis; task prioritisation procedures, etc.;
• Provide high level management advice and support to the two National Programme Directors (NPD);
• Support UXO sector organisations in ensuring effective coordination and communication between sector stakeholders;
• With the collaboration with the two NPDs, assume responsibility for the coordination of the work of all international advisors deployed within the NRA and UXO Lao, to ensure that their inputs are in harmony with the policy and aims of overall programme and UNDP project.

Regulation and National Standards

• Ensure that the policies and procedures developed in the context of the programme are consistent with International Standards for Mine Action (IMAS), National Standards of Lao PDR and all other relevant policy statements of the United Nations;
• Develop and maintain Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) in accordance with National UXO Standards and legislation prepared by the NRA.

International Cooperation and assistance

• Advocate for the role of UXO/Mine Action in poverty reduction and socio-economic development and promote mainstreaming of UXO/Mine Action programming within the UN/UNDP through corporate planning tools such as the CCA, UNDAF, CPD, etc.;
• Liaise with other organisations and academic institutions specializing in UXO/Mine Action in support of 'best practices' review and development

National Implementation Measures and domestic legislation

• Ensure that the UXO Programme is integrated into broader poverty reduction and development initiatives.

CCM related issues including conferences

• Advise and provide support on International Treaties, especially the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty (MBT) as well as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Development

• Encourage liaison between the concerned Government Ministries, UN agencies, donors, operators, and any other concerned agency/organization regarding the ongoing development and implementation of an integrated UXO/mine action programme.
• Support resource mobilization efforts for the UXO/Mine Action sector in Lao PDR;
• Develop strategic partnerships with donors, UN and non-UN system organisations and NGOs, in order to ensure effective management and implementation of the UXO Sector;
• Advise government counterparts to actively and regularly participate and provide inputs in the UXO SWG and TWG meetings for effective coordination and policy dialogue;
• Provide advice and support to the NPDs and related national staff in the preparation of funding proposals and briefing documents for donors; organise donor briefings, and negotiate with multi- and bi- lateral agencies in cooperation with government counterparts, other sector advisors and the UNDP CO;
• Maintain regular contact with donors to the UXO projects and work with the UNDP RR and DRR, to address resource mobilisation issues and support resource mobilisation activities as they arise;
• Coordinate visiting donors, NGOs, journalists, UN missions and researchers;
• Assist the Government of Lao PDR with promoting international cooperation and assistance in the area of UXO/Mine Action.

Quality Management

• Support the NRA and UXO Lao to effectively utilise quality management capacities available to them.

Support to effective monitoring and evaluation

• Undertake periodic monitoring of the NRA project based on the approved project document, national strategy and AWP. Monitor the project activities from gender and social inclusion perspective and provide timely feedback to all staff and partner organisations;
• Undertake periodic field monitoring visits to UXO Lao and partner projects. Monitor the project activities from gender and social inclusion perspective and provide timely feedback to all staff and partner organisations. 

Support to NRA and UXO Lao

• Provide management advice and support the work of the NPD and senior management of NRA and UXO Lao in the further development of technical and administrative expertise and excellence in the organisation’s operations; Provide overall management and administrative guidance to ensure all the funds and resources for UXO Lao through UNDP are utilised in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations and provide necessary guidance and support to the UXO Lao management and national staff;
• Provide management advice to the NPD and act as liaison with other International UXO/Mine Action bodies, UN Agencies and International NGO’s and agencies when required;
• Advise on the consolidation and further development of the NRA and UXO Lao; development of the institutional capacities, regulations and rules and procedures for the UXO sector; clarification of role and responsibilities, etc.;
• Provide technical guidance and capacity development support to senior management on the preparation of strategic plan, results-based management work plans, budgets, monitoring, proposals, task allocations progress reports publications and procedures;
• Provide advice on personnel management and recruitment issues, as well as on all other matters relating to the operations of the NRA and UXO Lao.

Compétences

Corporate Competencies:

•  Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’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;
•  Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Work to achieve the strategic goals of UNDP and promotes the vision, mission and values of UNDP;
• Focus on results and client satisfaction;
• Recognise and respond appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others; contribute creative solutions to address challenging situations;
• Seek, apply and share knowledge and information;
• Demonstrate strong analytical and communication (written, verbal, and interpersonal) skills;
• Demonstrate strong inter-personal and negotiation skills;
• Demonstrate strong ability to work in harmony with staff members of different cultural backgrounds in a professional manner, especially in a mutually-supportive team environment;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of field-based and/or headquarters experience with progressive responsibilities;
• Demonstrable management, capacity building and development expertise;
• Extensive knowledge of UXO/Mine Action issues, with particular emphasis on policy, regulatory and treaty issues and a commitment to a community-oriented approach to UXO/Mine Action;
• Experience working in UXO/Mine Action programmes or countries;
• Extensive experience in programme/project management in developing countries - preferably in Southeast Asia;
• Experience in aid coordination, and donor relations, or advocacy is desirable;
• Experience working with the application of IMAS national standards and SOP including capacity building of national staff in such procedures;
• Knowledge of UNDP and UN system policies, programming and operational issues, as well as UN/UNDP experience is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of English is required;
• Willingness and ability to learn the Lao language is required in the absence of Lao language capacity.