Project background

RECOFTC is implementing the “Enhancing Access to Benefits while Lowering Carbon Emissions” (EnABLE) project in Lao PDR, funded by a multi-donor trust fund administered by the World Bank. The project aims to enhance the inclusion of target populations, particularly women and ethnic groups living in selected remote villages, in receiving carbon and non-carbon benefits from the Lao PDR Emissions Reduction Programme and its Benefit Sharing Plan (BSP). The project will support and complement the ongoing World Bank-funded Governance, Forest Landscape and Livelihoods (GFLL) project, which is being implemented by the Department of Forestry (DoF), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). The project will run until December 2027.

RECOFTC Lao PDR invites applications for the position of Project Coordinator, to be based in Vientiane. The project duration is 28 months. The contract is issued on an annual basis, with the possibility of extension subject to annual performance assessment and includes a three-month probationary period. The appointment is expected to begin in August or September 2025.

The Project Coordinator will be employed full-time for the EnABLE project and report directly to the Country Director.

Specific tasks and duties

Management and oversight

Provide leadership and oversight for the development and implementation of annual workplans and budgets for the EnABLE project in Lao PDR
Provide support and contribute to the overall management and coordination of the project
Coordinate and deliver technical support to fulfil RECOFTC’s roles and responsibilities for EnABLE in Lao PDR
Work closely with relevant government entities at the central level, particularly the Department of Forestry (DoF), its Planning Division and the REDD+ Division, as well as at the local level with Provincial and District Agriculture and Forestry Offices (PAFO/DAFO) and target villages
Lead the design and implementation of EnABLE activities in close collaboration with government agencies implementing the REDD+ Emission Reduction Programme (ERP)
Provide technical support and input to the REDD+ Division’s implementation of the ERP and Benefit-Sharing Plan (BSP), with a focus on inclusion, gender and participatory planning
Support provincial teams in enabling target villages and community groups to participate in ERP benefit-sharing, specifically in the review, update and approval of Participatory Land-Use Plans, Village Forest Management Plans, recognition of land tenure and the development of work-budget plans for community-based enterprises, including alternative livelihood activities such as climate-smart agriculture and forest development
Support provincial teams in raising awareness of the BSP, ERP, GFLL and EnABLE initiatives in target villages located in the three ERP provinces
Organize and facilitate stakeholder consultations at national and subnational levels, as required
Support and facilitate ERP/BSP government implementing entities and other partners to ensure that a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is in place and fully operational for EnABLE activities, in coordination with the GFLL project and relevant local practices
Provide advice and recommendations to the Government of Lao PDR and the GFLL project on benefit-sharing mechanisms, GRM and related initiatives, to ensure good practices with local communities, enabling their participation in the project and securing appropriate benefits for them
Support the implementation of BSP activities by working with the Department of Forestry staff and consultants involved in implementing the BSP
Manage contracts for consultants and other service providers engaged by RECOFTC
Liaise with other RECOFTC teams, projects and initiatives to ensure project synergies and alignment within RECOFTC’s overall programme and management systems
Capacity development

Oversee and support the team, particularly the Capacity Building Officer, in capacity development activities, including conducting Capacity Development Needs Assessments, developing training curricula and materials, delivering training-of-trainers and organizing awareness-raising initiatives for key implementing agencies and partners including government organizations, non-profit associations NPAs), villagers and other BSP beneficiaries at national, provincial, district and village levels.
Ensure, reinforce and complement capacity-building and awareness-raising for REDD+ ERP implementation among key government agencies and partners, mass organizations such as the Lao Women’s Union (LWU) and the Lao Front for National Development (LFND) at the provincial and district levels, CSOs/NPAs and other BSP beneficiaries, particularly women and ethnic groups in remote areas across three provinces.
Reporting, monitoring and evaluation

Prepare project progress reports in accordance with World Bank requirements, including semi-annual, annual and final reports
Support RECOFTC’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team in the preparation of reports and project updates
Knowledge management

Facilitate and support the organization of learning exchange visits to villages that have undertaken similar activities
Collaborate with the communications team to develop suitable information, education and communication audiovisual products in Lao and local ethnic languages, where applicable, for awareness-raising and dissemination
Support the project team in documenting good practices and lessons learned for dissemination, including the preparation of case studies and policy briefs
Other responsibilities

Coordinate with the World Bank team to organize missions, meetings and related activities
Perform other tasks as assigned by the Country Director
Qualifications and experience

The Project Coordinator should have the following essential qualifications and experience:

Essential

A master’s degree in forestry, environmental or socioeconomic sciences, natural resource management, international development, or a related field
At least 10 years of experience implementing international development projects, with a focus on inclusive natural resource management, REDD+, carbon initiatives, village forestry, forest governance and landscape approaches
Extensive knowledge of and experience in participatory approaches to promote gender equality and social inclusion
Demonstrated experience in project management, including project planning and reporting, financial management, monitoring and partner coordination
Experience in coordinating and facilitating national multi-stakeholder platforms and networks
Experience collaborating with relevant ministries, sectoral working groups and international organizations, particularly at the national level
Strong team-building, leadership, networking and facilitation skills
A strong work ethic
Proficiency in written and spoken English, as well as fluency in Lao with a sound understanding of the country context
Willingness and ability to travel to field locations as required
Commitment to practicing and promoting RECOFTC’s core values
Proficiency in computer applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Desirable

Strong public relations skills
Effective training and facilitation skills, especially in participatory processes with adult learners
Strong analytical skills and strategic thinking
Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation and learning systems and principles
Familiarity with engagement, knowledge management and communication concepts, processes and technologies
Experience in fieldwork or project implementation in remote communities
Experience in the project's target areas will be an asset

Please send your resume/CV