Background

National planning and socioeconomic context
Lao PDR is at an important stage of the national development planning process. 2020 marked the conclusion of the implementation of the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP 2016-2020) and the commencement of the next five-year plan (9th NSEDP 2021-2025). This transition has been dominated by the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainability and climate change, quality and inclusive growth, human capital, infrastructure development, financing for development, and the management of the transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, which Lao PDR hopes to achieve.
The world is currently facing serious outbreak of COVID-19, which is an immediate and long-term challenge for economic development for us to respond and recover. In Lao PDR, achievements and efforts to eradicate poverty and progress in the implementation of SDGs within the framework of the 8th and 9th NSEDP has been severely impacted. The country has only 10 years left for the fulfilment of SDGs by 2030, with the slogan “leaving no one behind”.
During the period covered by the 9th NSEDP, Lao PDR will also see windows of opportunity in terms of investments in human capital, regional integration, and fight against climate change and environmental degradation.
Simultaneously, access to the necessary development finance to accelerate progress is becoming increasingly challenging on the top of existing issues ranging from revenue shortfall to repeated shocks stretching coping capacity.

Lao PDR Round Table Process
The Lao PDR Round Table Process, the national important process led by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), offers a platform for government, Development Partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector to discuss development challenges and solutions.

13th High-Level Round Table Meeting (13th HL-RTM)
The National RTP Secretariat, within the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, oversees the preparations of and chairs the HL-RTM. The UN Resident Coordinator co-chairs.
The main focus of the 13th High Level Round Table Meeting is to finalise the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (9th NSEDP 2021-2025) and means of the implementation. Specially, it aims to provide a forum of genuine dialogue and highlighting of:
• The final assessment of 8th NSEDP’s key achievements, lessons learnt which subsequently inform fundamental and key priorities/goals of the 9th NSEDP;
• Policy adjustments and necessary measures as well as indicative resource requirements for the effective implementation of the 9th NSEDP; including preparation for the LDC graduation by 2024 and main findings of the 2021 SDG Voluntary National Review ; and
• The reflection of key achievements and lessons learnt during the past years of the country implementation of development cooperation and effectiveness principles and the ways forward.
Advanced drafts of the following implementation arrangements are also expected to be on the agenda:
• A High-Level Financing Strategy providing policy options to meet the financing needs of the 9th NSEDP, feeding on series of structured dialogues with relevant stakeholders, and various assessments of the macroeconomic and financial challenges the country is facing;
• A comprehensive and implementable Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, to track progress against the 9th NSEDP policy priorities;
• Indicative resource requirements for the effective implementation of the 9th NSEDP, through a final draft of the costing estimates of its outcomes and outputs;
• Elements of a draft strategy to prepare for LDC graduation by 2026;
• The main findings of the 2021 SDG Voluntary National Review.
• Recovery plan of Covid-19 outbreak.
• The many new Cooperation Frameworks of development partners, presenting how these contribute to the 9th NSEDP policy priorities. A review of development cooperation will also be presented and discussed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities
To help prepare for the 13th High-Level Round Table Meeting (13th HL-RTM), DIC/MPI formally requested support and strategic coordination from the UN, and support from a UNDP-funded consultant, which will be embedded in MPI.

SCOPE OF WORK:
Under the direct supervision of DIC, in close coordination with UNRCO, and UNDP Lao PDR, the consultant will be leading the successful preparation and completion of the RTM by:
1. Coordinating relevant stakeholders for the timely completion of all necessary technical preparation;
2. Coordinate necessary pre-RTM engagement, consultation, outreach, and advocacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Ensuring the timely completion of technical preparation, including at this stage:
• Update on progress:
o Main findings from the 2nd VNR, with DIO/MOFA
o Snapshot from 8th NSEDP achievements and challenges, with DOP/MPI

• 9th NSEDP:
o Full document, executive summary, and visualisations, with DOP/MPI
o Elements of a draft LDC graduation strategy, with UN and DIO
o High-Level Financing Strategy, including costing of the 9th NSEDP, Development Finance Assessment (DFA), prepared by DOP with technical support from UN
o M&E Framework, prepared by DOP with technical support from UN
o Recovery plan of COVID-19

• Development cooperation:
o Strategic frameworks and programmatic documents from development partners, such as the UNSDCF 2022-2026, with relevant development partners
o ODA Mobilization Strategy and other regulatory frameworks, with DIC
o Review of development cooperation, with the VDCAP Secretariat

• Sector Working Groups (SWGs) deliverables:
o Progress update on the implementation of the 2019 RTIM recommendations (Template for SWG reporting is provided as per Annex 1)
o Thematic studies carried out by SWGs (to be defined)
o Principles for the alignment of SWGs to the 9th NSEDP outcomes and outputs

2. Ensuring all necessary outreach and advocacy pre-RTM, including at this stage:
• Supporting the organisation of necessary consultations;
• Supporting the meetings of Chairs and Co-Chairs of the SWGs and SWGs consultations;
• Supporting the delivery of communications products, including the updating of the RTM website;
• Supporting the organization of the RTP retreat and field visits, as appropriate;
• Ensure the timely completion of logistical arrangements for the RTM.

Competencies

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity.
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• Self-development, initiative-taking.
• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork.
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control.
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making

Required Skills and Experience

EDUCATION:
• A minimum master’s degree in the field of Economic Development, Public Policy, Public Administration and Governance, and other related fields.

EXPERIENCE:
• At least 10 years of experience in development related activities, advisory role on effective development cooperation, politics, governance, and other related fields.
• Strong research experience on issues relating to development, foreign aid, policy economy, economic development, public policy, and other related fields.
• Experience in country level work rooted in public policy reforms in close collaboration with government.
• Excellent writing skills required, as demonstrated by previous research/analytical reports on relevant topics.
• Experience in managing multi-stakeholder engagement and politics desirable
• Ability to lead consultations with senior government officials required.
• Sound grasp of substantive policy issues in the public finance field.
• Prior experience with government, UNDP/UN agencies and other international organizations is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience in the Round Table Process, Sector Working Group mechanism, SDGs, partnership for effective development cooperation and other related matters.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:
• Lao national with excellent verbal and written English skills, and an ability to summarize and present information and communicate effectively in multi-cultural environment.