National Consultant _ Project Assistant Lao Women Union (Lao nationality only) [Re-advertise of post No. 97621]

Lao PDR has the youngest population among countries in the Southeast Asian region, with approximately 60% below 25 years of age. Meanwhile, economic growth in Lao PDR has been significant (at around 6-7%) for several years in a row. Yet, education level and training of young people are unable to keep pace with the booming demand for high-skilled labor, resulting in a gap which is inimical to the country’s economic advancement. In addition, youth often lack participation in the national development planning decision-making process due to barriers such as limited opportunities for social and economic engagement. In this regard, enhancing national policies and youth-related programmes which could provide proper socio-economic opportunities to young people to reach their potentials are much needed so that the country will greatly benefit from its large young working population.
LWU is delivering a project supported by UNDP and the Russia Embassy in Lao PDR to address the above challenges by delivering three major components:
(i) Support the implementation of the strategic interventions from the implementation plan of National Youth and Adolescent Policy and the improvement of youth-related provincial regulations in the selected provinces;
(ii) Empower rural youth economically through inclusive and equitable quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), with special focus on ethnic groups and young girls, in the selected provinces and;
(iii) Enhance youth participation in socio-economic decision making. The overall aim of the project is to create an enabling environment for youth to realize their potential and to undertake important and fulfilling socio-economic roles under the framework of comprehensive national youth policy.
In line with these efforts, LWU is seeking an experienced Project Assistant (PA) to support with the planning and implementation of project activities. Such support includes various logistical and administration tasks as well as monitoring and evaluation of activities.

Support with Project Implementation
Huaphanh province
• Support with the implementation of project initiatives with Huaphanh TVET center and LWU;
• Conduct field visits to project sites for the provision of hands-on support and quality assurance;
• Ensure professional administrative and logistics support is given to the projects; • Represent LWU at meetings, technical sessions, project events, ceremonies and functions;
• Facilitate technical trainings and deliver technical presentations during events and other engagements;
• Be orientated to LWU and UNDP operating policies; • Network and develop functional relationships within LWU, UNDP, Government agencies, UN agencies, donors, NGOs, and other key stake holders;
• Facilitate or participate in workshops, webinars, and meetings as necessary;
• Work in partnership with NDMO and UNDP for the timely submission of periodic, accurate, and professional (narrative and financial) progress reports to management and other stakeholders as required;
• Support with the preparation of program documentation, assessments and studies as required.
• Prepare and send the field visit report to the project management team
Saysomboun and Saravan provinces
Another arm of the project implementation is conducted in the 2 provinces (6 districts). However, unlike the component above, the modality of the implementation was mainly undertaken by provincial and district LWU. This role has the responsibilities to:
• Monitor the implementation of project initiatives with the provincial and district LWU to ensure that the project activities are implemented as planned;
• Work in partnership with the central LWU, provincial and district LWU for the timely submission of periodic, accurate, and professional narrative and financial progress reports (quarterly and annual) to management and other stakeholders as required;
• Support with the preparation of program documentation, assessments and studies as required.
• Prepare and send the field visit report to the project management team

FINAL PRODUCTS
1. Monthly timesheet
– Support with the implementation of project initiatives with LWU
2. Implementation Plan
– Monthly Monitoring progress for each activity under output 2.2 of the youth project
3. Quarterly report
– Result of project implementation
– Next quarterly plan (activities and estimated budget)
4. Annual report 2021
– Result of project implementation
– Annual monitoring result (narrative and budget)
– Next annual plan (activities and estimated budget)
5. Project’s final report
– Result of project implementation
– Monitoring result of output 2.2
– Present summarizing key information in Power Point presentation

• Function in a team environment and shares knowledge and experience;
• Excellent verbal and writing skills (English preferred).
• Aability to take initiative;
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct;
• Flexible to changing working conditions and willing and able to travel for work purposes;
• Able to prioritize and meet deadlines;
• Excellent analytical thinking skills;

• A college degree or bachelor degree preferably from a reputable accredited university in business management, finance, social science, economics, development studies, and/or relevant field is required;
• At least 1 year of professional experience working in the fields of administration, finance, project or office management;
• Experience collaborating with government agencies, international organizations, and community leaders a plus;
• Experience with basic office finance and administration work;
• Knowledge on gender, youth, socio economics, protection a plus