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 three positions of Provincial Project Coordinator, with one position based in each of the following provinces: Luangprabang, Oudomxay and Xayaboury provinces. 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 Provincial Project Coordinator will be employed full-time for the EnABLE project and will report directly to the Project Coordinator and the Country Director.

Specific tasks and duties

Management and oversight

At the provincial level, support the development and implementation of EnABLE’s annual provincial workplans and budgets
Provide support and contribute to project management, leading coordination activities within the province
Coordinate and provide technical support for fulfilling roles and responsibilities for EnABLE at the provincial level
Coordinate and work closely with relevant government entities at the provincial level, particularly the Provincial and District Agriculture and Forestry Offices (PAFO/DAFO) and target villages
Contribute to and support the design and implementation of EnABLE activities in close collaboration with government agencies responsible for the REDD+ Emission Reduction Programme (ERP), including PAFO/DAFO at provincial and district levels
Provide technical support and input to local government, including PAFO and DAFO, for implementing ERP and the Benefit Sharing Plan (BSP) with a focus on inclusion, gender and participatory planning
Support the local government teams in enabling target villages and community groups to participate in the ERP and the BSP, particularly in the review, update and approval of Participatory Land Use Plans, Village Forest Management Plans, recognition of land tenure, and development of work-budget plans for community-based enterprises (CBEs), including alternative livelihood activities such as climate-smart agriculture and forest development
Support local government teams in conducting awareness-raising activities on the BSP, ERP, Governance, Forest Landscape and Livelihoods (GFLL) and EnABLE initiatives in target villages at the provincial level
Support all social and environmental safeguard activities, including data collection and providing input in the preparation of draft safeguard reports
Responsible for value chain analysis and other related livelihood development activities
Support the organization and conduct of relevant stakeholder consultations at the provincial level as needed
Provide support and facilitation to ERP/BSP government implementing entities and other partners to ensure that a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is in place and functional for EnABLE activities at the provincial level
Provide support and recommendations to the Government of Lao PDR and the GFLL project regarding benefit-sharing schemes, the GRM and other relevant work, to ensure good practices with local communities and enable their participation and access to appropriate benefits
Support the implementation of BSP activities by working with PAFO/DAFO staff and consultants involved in the BSP
Liaise with other RECOFTC teams, projects and initiatives to ensure project synergies and alignment within RECOFTC’s overall programme and management systems
Capacity development

Take the lead in conducting a Capacity Development Needs Assessment (CDNA) for key implementing agencies and partners in the province, including government organizations, non-profit associations, villagers and other BSP beneficiaries
Contribute to the development of training curricula and materials based on the results of the CDNA
Support, reinforce and complement REDD+ ERP capacity-building and awareness-raising initiatives for key implementing government agencies and partners, mass organizations such as the Lao Women’s Union and the Lao Front for National Development at the provincial and district levels, civil society organizations, non-profit associations and other BSP beneficiaries, with particular focus on women and ethnic groups in remote areas of the province
Co-lead the delivery of training-of-trainers (ToT) based on a “training for action” approach and provide field mentoring and coaching for trained staff conducting training in villages and related village activities in the province
Reporting, monitoring and evaluation

Support the preparation of project progress reports following World Bank requirements, including semi-annual, annual and final reports
Lead the monitoring, evaluation and learning activities for the project and ensure the required data collection for RECOFTC annual reports within the province
Support the conduct of the annual external audit
Knowledge management and communication

Organize and facilitate learning exchange visits to other villages that have undertaken similar activities
Support the development of suitable information, education and communication audio-visual materials (in Lao and relevant local ethnic languages, where applicable) for awareness-raising and dissemination
Document good practices and lessons learned and support their dissemination, including through case studies and policy briefs within the province
Other responsibilities

Perform other tasks as assigned by the Country Director
Qualifications and experience

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

Essential

Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental or socio-economic sciences, natural resource management, international development, or a related field
A minimum of five years’ 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
Experience in project management, including project planning and reporting, financial management, monitoring, evaluation 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 and provincial levels
Familiarity with fieldwork and project implementation in remote communities, as well as knowledge and experience of the project's target areas
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 fostering 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

Please send your resume/CV