Project Officer, Nature-Based Solutions

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Officer, Nature-based Solutions will be based in Vientiane and will lead the implementation of on-ground works and activities under the Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Adaptation (NATURA) project and will be primarily responsible for managing the delivery of ecosystem restoration works at the project site, but will also support the smooth implementation of any other NATURA project activities to support project intervention’s positive impact. The position requires an experienced project officer with technical expertise, and extensive experience in working with government partners and community groups in project implementation. Experience delivering wetland restoration and nature-based solutions in the field will be a considerable advantage.

The position will report directly to the Senior Officer, Water Resources (who is also the Project Manager of NATURA) and will ensure alignment of the NATURA project with relevant Government of Lao PDR policies and strategies, and work closely with the project’s government counterpart, the Department of Housing and Urban Planning (DHUP) as well as key partner departments of the Vientiane Capital Administration, village heads and community groups.

PURPOSE 

• Advance delivery and execution of key components of the NATURA project, under the guidance of the Project Manager, and ensure that execution is high-quality, on-schedule and to-budget.
• Provide technical expertise and advice on Lao PDR policy, planning and regulations relevant to water resource management, urban flood management and wetlands.
• Lead all project related communications and coordination with government project partners.
• Actively engage with local stakeholders, in government, private sector and community, to promote nature-based solutions as a key component in managing urban flood risks.
• Actively scope and participate in the technical design and delivery of ecosystem restoration works at the project site.

ENGAGEMENT 

• Lead communication, coordination and collaborative decision making with government counterparts from the Department of Housing and Urban Planning (DHUP), Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), and other project partners at central, district (Vientiane City) and village levels to support project implementation.
• Build strategic partnerships and collaborative working relationships with other stakeholders with a view to generating synergies with other projects and initiatives.
• Ensure full understanding, cooperation and an appropriate local fit between project activities and project beneficiaries, including government and communities.
• Ensure that project activities are consistent with relevant government of Lao PDR policies, plans and strategies.

DELIVERY 

• Assist in project planning, monitoring and evaluation, budget planning and contract management.
• Assist in developing detailed project and activity work-plans, concept notes and budgets based on agreed yearly workplans, and in consultation with government counterparts.
• Support project consultants and contractors supervision to ensure quality of work against established timeframes and standards.
• Assist in the drafting of project reports and knowledge products.
• Support PM in project delivery as a whole, in coordination with other team members and LAo country Program.
• Ensure that environmental and social safeguards are consistently applied as per the Environmental and Social Management plan during restauration works construction and O&M phases.

REQUIREMENTS 

• An advanced degree (master’s or graduate degree) in hydrology, integrated water resources management, environmental management or water resources engineering, or in related fields.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in a relevant field (i.e. water resource management, flood management, rural development and water resource infrastructure construction,  environmental or natural resource management, etc.)
• Experience in supporting public consultations, validation meetings and workshops.
• Understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation in the context of building community-based flood resilience.
• Experience in any of the following will be an advantage: wetlands restoration,  ecosystem-based adaptation , land-use planning and urban infrastructure design, and contract management.
• Experience with projects funded by international development partners will be a plus.
• Experience managing technical teams and consultants working on projects with a community-based development focus.
• Native Lao language skill and good command of English.

FUNCTIONAL 

• Good understanding of water resources management, wetlands and flood management, and related governance in Lao PDR.
• Strong communication skills (both written and oral), including experience preparing proposals and technical reports.
• Output oriented, demonstrating creativity and innovation. Highly organized and able to effectively and efficiently multi-task and prioritize.
• Comfortable working both in a team and independently.

CORPORATE 

• Understand and actively support GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
• Demonstrate outstanding stakeholder engagement, client relationship, communication, teamwork, and consensus building.
• Process and share information easily and be excellent at problem solving.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport and resolve conflict easily.
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.
• Work effectively with other teams of a high degree of cultural and professional diversity (cultural awareness)

WORKING CONDITIONS 

The Project Officer, Nature-based Solutions is an X8 National Staff Level in GGGI salary scale. Determination of base salary is subject to candidate’s experience, academic background and internal equity. GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision.

GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The GGGI Lao PDR program has been expanding rapidly in the areas of climate change, green cities and green investment mobilization. Since 2018, GGGI has been implementing a range of Readiness and Preparatory Support Program projects focused on building national capacity and policy for green finance, capacity building, climate modelling, energy efficiency, electric mobility and climate policy. GGGI has also undertaken a range of activities and projects to support Lao PDR’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). In addition, since 2019, GGGI has been implementing sanitation and fecal sludge treatment solutions in Pakse, Lao PDR, across interventions spanning infrastructure, policy, financing, regulation and capacity development. The country office has workspaces in the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport at central level, as well as the Vientiane Capital and Champasak Province governments.

GGGI Lao PDR’s Water Unit leads implementation of projects and outcomes related to water and wastewater policy and planning, water and wastewater infrastructure and technologies, and flood management and resilience at a national level. A key project within the Water Unit portfolio is the Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Adaptation (NATURA) project, funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), which aims to increase the resilience of urban communities in Vientiane Capital through a range of interventions, including nature-based solutions (NbS), to improve urban wetland management for urban flood resilience. Along with project delivery, the Water Unit also engages in business development for the water and wastewater sectors, as well as water-related knowledge sharing and capacity development at the national and local levels.

To support this work and implement the NATURA project, GGGI is seeking an experienced national project officer with technical expertise and experience in the delivery of water resources, nature-based adaptation and community-based climate resilience projects in Lao PDR.