Project Coordination Officer for National Assembly and People’s Provincial Assemblies

The Strengthening Capacity and Effectiveness of the People’s Assemblies System in Laos (STEPS) Project is a five-year initiative (2022-2026) implemented by UNDP, together with the National and Provincial People’s Assemblies, with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The overall goal of STEPS is to strengthen capacity of the legislature in Laos to effectively represent, engage and respond to citizen’s needs. The project will support the national and provincial assemblies (members, technical committees and staff) in enhancing their mandates and ability to revise and approve legislation, monitor implementation of the country socio-economic development plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), better analyse societal concerns and communicate with citizens, and enhance the overall accountability and transparency system.

The Project Coordination Officer will provide high quality coordination support to the National Assembly, People’s Provincial Assemblies and UNDP STEPS project team members. The Officer will help support the coordination of activities across all results of the project and support the National Assembly and People’s Provincial Assemblies. The Project Coordination Officer works in a UNDP STEPS Project team of international and local project staff. The Officer works closely with the National Assembly’s International Cooperation and Project Management Secretariat (ICPMS) and Provincial People’s Assemblies (PPAs). The post holder will split their time between the UNDP STEPS office in Vientiane and the ICPMS office in the National Assembly, approximately 2-3 days per week based on the work requirements of each period of the implementation. The Project Coordination Officer will be required to travel to the PPAs and events of the project on a regular basis. The Project Coordination Officer will support the Chief Technical Specialist and Project Manager of STEPS, who guide the delivery of the project’s approach and results framework. 

The Officer will also work in close collaboration with the UNDP Lao PDR Programme and Operations teams and maintain effective working relationships with the National Assembly and PPAs and other partners such as UN agencies. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Project Coordination Officer for the National Assembly and People’s Provincial Assemblies will work under direct supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist, with task supervision by the Project Manager. The officer will be required to closely coordinate with ICPMS staff and follow the guidance and protocol of ICPMS of the Head/Deputy Head of the ICPMS and the ICPMS Liaison Officers.
• Ensure effective coordination of key project activities.
• Coordinate between National Assembly, Provincial People’s Assemblies, ICPMS staff and UNDP STEPS project staff in line with the STEPS Project’s workplan, project document and results framework.
• Support coordination of project activities as requested by the National Assembly or Provincial People’s Assemblies in collaboration for the other Project Coordination Officer, ICPMS Liaison Officer and ICPMS staff.
• Support the Chief Technical Specialist (CTS) to identify key policy/programmatic gaps and opportunities.
• Collaborate with project staff and support international and national consultants for quality assurance and timely completion of tasks.
• Provide and facilitate high quality coordination between stakeholders and support the Chief Technical Specialist and consultants in activities, coordinating with the Head/Deputy of the ICPMS and ICPMS staff.

Ensure effective project planning and implementation.

• In accordance with the Project Document and in close coordination with the National Assembly, PPAs and Responsible Parties, support implementation of Annual Workplans.
• Support the Project Manager to review and monitor project budget and expenditure.
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with the National Assembly and Provincial People’s Assemblies and other development partners working with the National Assembly by involving ICPMS.
• Provide support to hosting events and facilitation of workshops.
• Provide high quality interpretation and translation in support of the project as needed.

Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.

• Support the M&E specialist in collection of data for the M&E framework targets and indicators.
• Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set;
• Support the preparation of donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements.
• Review and provide inputs to reports based on data from the coordination and implementation of activities.

Provide relevant and timely technical and advisory support to project staff NA and PPAs on matters related to parliamentary project activities, in coordination with the ICPMS.

• Provide advisory support to project staff on the workings and activities of the Parliament;
• Identify key issues for the Chief Technical Specialis for national and sub-national policy support and advisory regarding parliamentary development issues.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building and knowledge sharing  relevant to the assigned thematic area(s).

• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project
• Facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Development Studies or other relevant discipline is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in the areas of parliamentary affairs, local governance, and capacity development in Lao PDR
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
• Experience and thorough understanding of the political, administrative, and institutional set up of the government
• Experience working directly in the National Assembly of Lao PDR, as senior staff member
• Experience in designing and delivering effective institutional strengthening programs in parliament
• Experience and technical knowledge in governance and parliamentary strengthening.
• Experience in providing advisory services to and advocating with senior public officials

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in English and Lao is required

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/20615