BACKGROUND

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP Lao PDR:

Guided by the global UNDP Strategic Plan (2022 – 2025) and UNDP Country Programme for Lao PDR (2022 – 2026) UNDP in Lao PDR works closely with the line Ministries, mass organizations, civil society, development partners, and the private sector at both national and sub-national levels in pursuit of the national socio-economic development priorities defined in Lao PDR’s five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNDP’s work is strongly focused on the provision of policy advice and technical support to the Government of Lao PDR in the design and implementation of national legislation and strategies across four broad Priority Pillars – (1) inclusive growth and reduced inequalities, (2) UXO clearance and risk education, (3) natural resources, climate change and disaster risk reduction, as well as (4) effective, responsive, and accountable governance.

UNDP has a long history working in Lao PDR. UNDP’s comparative advantage has been its ability to work closely with a very broad range of government and local-level institutions at all levels. The new UNDP country programme is aligned with the 9th NSEDP and is anchored in UNDP’s long-term partnership with the Government of more than three decades. The new programme builds on the achievements of the previous CPD that saw the incorporation of the SDGs into the national planning architecture. It will aim to support Lao PDR recover from the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue its transition from LDC status, with a particular emphasis on supporting inclusive growth and reducing inequality.

UNDP Inclusive Growth Unit (IGU)

The Inclusive Growth Unit at UNDP Lao PDR focuses on reducing poverty, inequality and promoting social inclusion and sustainable financing for equitable solutions. The focus is on sustainable, inclusive and green jobs creation, integrity-based business development, private sector involvement in Sustainable Development Goals achievement, transparent, efficient and inclusive service provision, and equal and equitable access to economic opportunities. It also aims to strengthen policies and institutions that address barriers for the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the labor market, for a conducive business environment and for improved living standards. Additionally, the Unit aims to address the socioeconomic dimensions of recovery through policy and technical support, as well as promoting greater participation by communities and marginalized groups, while promoting innovation and best practices for green growth. UNDP is also focusing on supporting the Government to return to pre-COVID-19 levels of growth and regain momentum in consolidating economic transformation.

This is rooted in a theory of change stipulating that if there is improved macro-fiscal management, evidence-based and territorial development planning and prioritization of public investments in social and green sectors, the country will shift to a more inclusive and more environmentally responsible, climate-resilient development pathway. Resilient and gender-responsive social protection systems will protect people from falling back into poverty and ensure development progress, even if disasters and shocks hit. This translates into the CPD outcome: “by 2026, people, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized, will benefit from more inclusive, resilient, transformative, and sustainable socioeconomic and demographic opportunities to reduce poverty and inequalities”. It is also aligned with the 9th National Socioeconomic Development Plan (NSEDP, 2021 -2025), Vision 2030 and the 10-year Socio-Economic Development Strategy (2016-2025), which are central to the country’s economic restructuring and place great emphasis on economic diversification, innovation, skills and knowledge, green economy and resilience. These strategic plans also prioritize action on renewable natural resources, environmental pollution and waste management, along with environmental fiscal instruments and nature-based tourism that can drive economic growth and help create green jobs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES

The Programme Associate in the Inclusive Growth Unit plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient operations with a strong focus on financial management. Reporting to the Team Leader, this position emphasizes financial and budgeting skills essential for implementing the Country Programme Action Plan and supporting resource mobilization efforts.

Key responsibilities include preparing, monitoring, and reporting budgets while tracking expenditures to ensure compliance with financial regulations. The Programme Associate also provides comprehensive administrative support, organizing activities, and managing documentation to facilitate smooth programme implementation.

Additionally, the Programme Associate supports capacity-building initiatives and collaborates closely with operations and project staff, particularly the Programme Analysts and Project Management Unit (PMU), to enhance programme delivery. The Programme Associate also provides comprehensive administrative support, including events management and logistical support for activities and meetings, ensuring that all aspects are well-coordinated and executed.

The Programme Associate facilitates communication and knowledge sharing among project teams, project stakeholders, and the Country Office by ensuring that information is organized and accessible for decision-making. S/he must have a solid background in financial management, project management practices, and strong IT skills.

Provide administrative and logistical support to the management of programmes/projects.

• Provide administrative support in the preparation of programme work plans, budgets, and proposals on programme implementation arrangements.
• Provide technical guidance to implementing partners and responsible parties on routine delivery and reporting of programme supported activities and finances;
• Prepare information for the audit of programmes/ projects and support implementation of audit recommendations.
• Represent the PU in undertaking Spot Check Monitoring as required; and
• Support to arranging appointments, organizing meetings/workshops, and staff travel/mission, and following up on actions.

Provide administrative support to the financial management of the Programme Unit.

• Create projects in Quantum system, prepare budget revisions, revise project awards and status; and determine unutilized funds and the operational and financial close of a project;
• Provide administrative support in preparing and monitoring budgets and the finances of programmes/projects; including the finalization of FACE forms.
• Provide timely financial reports from systems to projects/programmes for verification.
• Undertake preliminary checks of project IPOA requests and advance settlements;
• Review NIM project financial reports and maintain the internal expenditures control system to ensure accurate recording and posting of transactions in Quantum.
• Take timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including those with budget check errors, match exceptions, or unapproved statuses;
• Create requisitions in Quantum for development projects and registers goods receipts; Conduct budget checks for requisitions, POs, and vouchers.

Support resource mobilization efforts of the Programme Unit.

• Analyze information on donors and track mobilized resources.
• Review of contributions agreement and follow-up of contributions (cost-sharing) agreements; and
• Maintain donor reporting system ensuring timely reporting to donors.

Support to the communications and knowledge sharing within the Programme and CO.

• Draft meeting minutes and letters as required.
• Translate and interpret basic documents from Lao into English and vice-versa;
• Maintain programme/project files and documents in SharePoint.
• Identify sources, gather and compile data and information for the preparation of documents, guidelines, speeches and position papers; and
• Updates and maintains the counterpart and partner contact lists.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: May supervise programme support staff.

COMPETENCIES

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
• Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness

• Effectiveness: Project Quality Assurance

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Secondary education is required. OR
• A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Accountancy and Finance or related fields will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• A minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative/management or programme experience is required at the national and/or international level.
• Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages is desired.
• Experience in supporting programme/ project team is desired.
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.
• Proven ability to review and edit documents and ability to produce meeting reports with key action is desired.
• Experience in supporting resource mobilization is desired.
• Experience in supporting financial management of projects is desired.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in the national language of the duty station (Lao) is required for local staff.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer:

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

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