National Technical Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Project is an initiative aimed at enhancing the institutional capacity of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to design, implement, and finance low emissions and climate-resilient projects. This project is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the National Designated Authority (NDA), specifically the Department of Planning and Finance (DPC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE). The GCF project has several objectives, including capacity building, strategic frameworks, pipeline development, and knowledge sharing, all aimed at supporting the country’s climate action commitments. The Project Management Unit (PMU) is responsible for the daily execution of the project, ensuring alignment with FAO's technical guidance and the directives of the NDA.

Job Overview:
The National Technical Assistant plays a crucial role in providing operational, coordination, administrative, and technical support to the PMU and NDA. This position is essential for the smooth implementation of the GCF Readiness project, which involves daily project operations, data collection, and the use of the Climate Finance Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (CFMRV) system. The assistant will strengthen coordination across various ministries and ensure compliance with FAO and Government of Lao regulations. The role requires a proactive approach to support project activities, facilitate communication among stakeholders, and maintain accurate documentation and reporting processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Technical Assistant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: providing daily administrative and technical assistance to the PMU and national technical officers; supporting the preparation and execution of annual work plans, budgets, and procurement processes in accordance with FAO procedures; organizing and documenting meetings, trainings, and workshops; maintaining orderly project files and documentation; serving as the operational link between the PMU, NDA, MAE/DPC, line ministries, FAO, and project stakeholders; facilitating information flow across institutions; supporting logistical arrangements for field missions and stakeholder engagements; assisting in the preparation of progress, technical, and financial reports; collecting and organizing data from ministries and stakeholders; documenting lessons learned and maintaining updated information management systems; assisting ministries in collecting climate finance data; providing translation services; and supporting knowledge management and dissemination of project outputs.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree (Bachelor's) in fields such as economics, international relations, natural resources management, climate change, environmental science, development studies, public administration, or a related area. Additionally, a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in project support and implementation is required, which includes administrative and technical support, work planning, budget tracking, procurement support, and meeting/workshop organization. A working knowledge of English is also mandatory, and candidates must be nationals of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as economics, international relations, natural resources management, climate change, environmental science, development studies, or public administration. It is essential that the degree is obtained from an institution accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in project support and implementation. This experience should encompass a range of activities including administrative and technical support, work planning, budget tracking, procurement support, and the organization of meetings and workshops. Proven experience working with government institutions or development programs/projects in Lao PDR is highly valued.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, with a working knowledge required. Additionally, proficiency in Lao is essential for translation tasks and effective communication within the local context. Knowledge of other languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates should be aware that the appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearances. The FAO only considers higher educational qualifications from institutions recognized in the WHED. For further employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.