UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and  territories,  working  with  national  counterparts  on  solutions  to  global  and  national  development  challenges. 
UNDP Laos is working towards supporting the achievement of the National 5-year development plan, the Livelihood and Poverty Reduction Unit supported the implementation of the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2016-2020, which overall objectives present in the meeting of the eligible criteria for graduation from Lease Developed Country (LDC) status. The unit is working together with the government of Lao PDR, especially Ministry Planning and Investment (MPI) on mainstreaming the new global development agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The livelihood and poverty reduction unit is working closely with MPI on the 9th NSEDP 2021-2025 in monitoring the progress on the implementation of the 9th NSEDP and tracking the SDGs indicators, capacity building on costing, financing, planning, report and ensuring stainable human development of the government officials of the Lao PDR. 2021 was the first year of the implantation of the 9th NSEDP that consist of a numbers of significant goals and objectives, taking into account of the Covid-19 pandemic into consideration and its impacts towards the country of Laos and takes lead in national development priorities for the next five years together with the government of Lao PDR.

The year 2022, is another important milestone to accelerate the national development implantation agenda of Lao PDR. This marks the second year of the 9th NSEDP implementation with several key documents including COVID recovery plan, financing strategy, LDC smooth transition strategy are being finalized. This contributes to the SDG localization challenges and 2022 is the year for preparing for the next country milestone year 2023 for the midterm-review of the 9th NSEDP and third VNR ahead of the LDC Triennial Review to be carried out in 2024. This is an important mission for the Livelihood and Poverty Reduction Unit to provide support on strengthening the national panning process at national, sub-national, and sectoral levels to taking into the direction of the Lao PDR’s development forward in the midst of current challenges that Laos is encountering

OBJECTIVES:

1. Provide support to national and sub-national level planning, and financing
2. Provide support to research and analysis on key social and economic development areas and the SDGs
3. Urban and rural livelihoods supports and development

      1. Provide support to national and sub-national level planning and financing

• Provision of quality policy advice services to the Government through UNDP support pro-gramme/projects and facilitation of knowledge building and management;
• Support national, sectoral, and sub-national planning process, including situation analysis, policy dialogue, and capacity development.

      2. Provide support to research and analysis on key social and economic development areas and the SDGs

• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing;
• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues;
• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;
• Support the implementation of socioeconomic and wealth ranking assessments to inform targeting, monitoring and facilitation of the engagement of projects;
• Preparation of briefs, background notes, speeches, talking points, presentation materials, etc. on critical sustainable development issues.

      3. Urban and rural livelihoods supports and development

• Timely monitor the progress of the overall programme implementation
• Assist with the development of the UNDP poverty and livelihoods program strategy;
• Assess, in coordination with the partners concerned, the opportunities for income-generating activities, and develop project proposals;
• Assist with the development of the UNDP poverty and livelihoods program strategy;
• Design and participate in necessary assessments with relevant private and public stakeholders, including COVID-19 and disaster impact assessments on local economies and surveys that help to inform interventions;
• Provide technical assistance on livelihoods and socio economical interventions;
• Provide field evidence to support the design of new programming;
• Explore partnerships with stakeholders to enhance economic inclusion of those most in need;
• Collaborate with economic development agencies, private sector, financial service providers and other stakeholders as needed;
• Participate in meetings with relevant stakeholders (government, UN, civil society, private sector);
• Prepare relevant reports as required.

•         Knowledge of integrated development programming including the graduation approach;

•         Inter-personal and communication skills with positive teamwork attitude;

•         Knowledge and experience in government administration and processes.

• Master’s Degree in Economics, International development, social sciences, international relations, human rights, socio-economic development, financial management, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Rural Development or related field.   
• Minimum 4 years of experience at the international and national levels in relevant areas of social-economic development, social economic research and policy and implementation support.
• Experience of working with government counterparts, national or international institutions, research institute in the field of economic and social development preferred.
• Excellent coordination skills, including demonstrated experience in liaising with government representatives and development partners.
• Advanced research and analytical skills.
• Experience in livelihood program design, proposal writing, project implementation;
• Private sector engagement and economic development experience;
• Good knowledge of the Core Humanitarian Standards or other accountability measures;

LANGUAGE

• Excellent English writing skills and ability to communicate technical information in an easy to understand, informative and collaborative manner

Requirements for submission of proposals 

All interested and qualified International or National Individual Consultants should apply online using the following links: 

UNDP Lao PDR Country Office website at https://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/jobs.html

In order to make your submission, please read the relevant documents available at the links below 

1. TOR (Annex I) 
2. IC General Terms and Conditions _ Annex II

Interested Individual Consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 

1. Technical Proposal 

            (i)  Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work; 

            (ii)  Providing any writing samples related to the scope of work

2. P11 Form  Education and work experience, including past experience in similar projects and contact references of at least 3 references for whom you have rendered preferably the similar services; 

3. Financial proposal:  Detailed financial proposal: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown against each deliverable. Please use this template OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY _ Annex III

Instructions for online submissions: 

• Step 1:  Please prepare all required documents electronically; 
• Step 2: Combine all documents in ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF however Word format can be also accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs using the links above; 
• Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully. 

Incomplete proposals or proposals received after the deadline will be rejected. 

Note:  Any request for clarification must be sent in writing before the submission deadline to the following emails: surith.sengsavang@undp.org