National Project Coordinator, ILOChina Social Protection

Introduction

The social protection system in Lao PDR is still at a developing stage and remains relatively limited in terms of coverage and institutional recent years the government has made great efforts to expand social protection coverage. However a large proportion of the population is employed in the informal and agricultural sectors which makes comprehensive coverage challenging.

The Social Protection Project under the ILO/China Partnership Programme has focused on increasing coverage and access to social protection for workers in the informal economy in Lao PDR through enhanced institutional capacity and operational effectiveness and efficiency at all levels by strengthening of the policy design administrative governance and the digital transformation with support of South-South Cooperation.

In synergy with the ILO/China Partnership Programme the ILO will provide technical support to Lao PDR to further improve access to social protection coverage for workers in the informal economy.

The National Project Coordinator will work under direct supervision of the Project Manager of the ILO/China Partnership Programme. The NPC will assist the Project Manager in the day-to-day implementation of the project and in achieving its outputs and outcomes. He/she will work in close coordination with the ILO National Coordinator in Lao PDR ILO constituents other ILO projects operating in Lao PDR and other relevant stakeholders.

He/she will receive technical guidance and support from the Social Protection Specialist and other relevant Specialists of the Decent Work Team in Bangkok.

Description of Duties

Stakeholder Engagement and Cooperation

1. Identify and initiate engagement with related government and non-government organizations national partners and beneficiaries and collaborate with them on project planning and implementation in order to ensure effective coordination.
2. Liaise with other ILO projects and other donor-funded relevant initiatives in Lao PDR to develop synergies and increase projects effectiveness.

Project Implementation

3. Develop work plan and implementation strategies of the projects; provide substantive input and backstopping to the implementation of activities in accordance with the work plan with a view to ensuring timely delivery of projects activities and outputs.
4. Identify actual and potential problems propose solutions and action steps and follow up with relevant authorities to expedite implementation and meet targets.
5. Contribute with creative ideas for programme planning and development serve as national programme advisor to the Project Social Protection Specialist and draft portions of programme and budget proposals programme background objective and evaluation.
6. Administer resources from all available sources of funds prepare budget estimates and expenditure forecasts by analysing and monitoring situation of resources as compared to planned activities and making recommendations for remedial action.
7. Prepare the assignments and field missions of international staff as well as international and national consultants (i.e. setting up appointments with stakeholders organising interviews and focus group discussions performing interpretation and translation work).
8. Plan set up organize and facilitate trainings workshops seminars and meetings for project staff and consultants partners beneficiaries and with donors.
9. Prepare presentations for national and regional workshops and seminars.
10. Guide the projects support staff in carrying out their duties where required.

Monitoring

11. Monitor progress of projects activities by reviewing verifying and analysing work plans progress reports final reports and other data for clarity consistency and completeness.
12. Prepare briefs progress reports financial reports ad-hoc reports and statistical data on status of project activities.
Knowledge Management and Communication
13. Compile systematic information and materials on project activities. Identify best practices and lessons learnt for knowledge building and knowledge sharing; assist the implementation of the projects communication strategy.
14. Collect information/data of specific relevance for the project; analyse and format this data to be used to support communication activities and develop further the projects design.
15. Undertake the missions to project sites independently or accompanying others; Perform other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor(s).

Required qualifications

Education

University degree in economics and social sciences social security human resource management digital and information technology or other relevant fields.

Experience

At least two years of professional experience at the national level in the area of project management implementation monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies (e.g. Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Lao PDR and Lao Social Security Organization) in charge of policy making and with development partners would be an asset.

Technical requirements: Good knowledge of labour economics as well as economic developments poverty reduction and social policies. Knowledge of the policy making process.

Languages

Excellent English and Lao languages.

Competencies

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of programme and budget project administration and evaluation concepts and procedures and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in Lao PDR
• Knowledge of the offices financial rules and regulations
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise
• Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution and good drafting skills
• Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information
• Demonstrate collaborative and team work experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team as well as work on his/her own initiative
• Ability to work independently quickly precisely and take initiative and responsibility
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline
• Proficient in Microsoft Word Power Point Excel web-browsers and database applications
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.