Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Guided by the global UNDP Strategic Plan (2022 – 2025) and the UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) 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 the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNDP has a long history working in Lao PDR. UNDP's comparative advantage has been its ability to work closely with a broad range of government and local institutions at all levels. UNDP's work is focused on the provision of policy advice and technical support in the design and implementation of national legislation and strategies across three broad priority pillars (1) inclusive growth and reduced inequalities, including UXO clearance and risk education, (2) natural resources, climate change and disaster risk reduction, and (3) effective, responsive, and accountable governance.

The UNDP country programme is aligned with the 9th NSEDP and aims to support Lao PDR to recover from the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure a smooth transition from Least Developed Country status, with a particular emphasis on supporting inclusive growth and reducing inequality.

The current project is a full-sized project (FSP) under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) FARM Programme that has the long term goal of reducing the use of harmful agrochemicals and promoting environmentally sound management of hazardous pesticides and agricultural wastes. As a contribution to the long term goal of the integrated programme, the Lao PDR project's objective is to reduce the use of harmful agrochemicals by incentivizing farmers to adopt sustainable crop management practices, improving access to low/non-chemical pest control alternatives, and improving access to financing for environmentally sound management of hazardous pesticides and agricultural wastes (including plastics) in Lao PDR. It will operationalize the integrated management of pesticide use and agricultural waste in Lao PDR to generate multiple benefits including reduction in releases of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), improved soil and water quality, enhanced biodiversity, safer food systems and stronger competitiveness of Lao agricultural exports. The project recognizes that smallholder farmers, who account for the majority of agricultural production, face limited access to safer alternatives, low awareness of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and constrained access to finance for sustainable production. To achieve the objective, the GEF alternative aims to (i) strengthen the regulatory, policy and investment framework for agrochemicals across their lifecycle; (ii) ensure that relevant agencies and actors have adequate capacities to manage agrochemicals and promote alternatives; and (iii) advocate science-based approaches and use of traditional and good practice knowledge systems to promote sustainable agriculture and farmer livelihoods. The project objective will be achieved through the following four interlinked components:

Component 1: Strengthen regulatory, policy and investment frameworks
Component 2: Improve access to finance aligned with demonstration and promotion of sustainable alternatives and agricultural practices for income raising
Component 3: Effective knowledge management platforms and capacities built in agrochemical waste management and disposal methods
Component 4: Monitoring and Evaluation

Duties and Responsibilities

The position will have a lead technical responsibility under the overall guidance of the Director General of the Department of Agriculture (DOA), who serves as the National Project Director, and the supervision of the FARM Project coordinator and the Head of the Natural Resources Management, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Reduction Unit.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Strategic guidance, rigorous analysis and advice to the Government of Lao PDR to effectively consider, develop and implement sustainable agriculture, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), agrochemical lifecycle management, agricultural waste management and green finance.

Provide technical input and policy advice and supervise implementation of project activities with a special attention on planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and quality control of project outputs;
Advise the Government and UNDP on the linkages with other major programmes or projects of other agencies, organizations or departments and UN agencies.
Advisory and support in drafting and review of strategic and technical documents on sustainable agriculture, IPM/GAP, agrochemicals and chemicals/waste management, environmental and social safeguards, agricultural finance and value chains, such as policy papers or other analytical products in collaboration with other technical staff and consultants and Government counterparts.
Ensure the development of cross-project linkages with other relevant UN and development partner projects (FAO, World Bank, IFAD, ASEAN initiatives) for maximizing impact.
Facilitate information sharing and dialogue within the donor community and prepare briefs and policy papers related to the context and focus of the project.
Assist the Government in information sharing/knowledge management in the themes related to the scope of the project.
Provide other advice and support as may be required by the Government and UNDP as is to be expected in a dynamic process of project implementation and changing circumstances.
Systematically record the results of the project and provide substantive contribution to the UNDP/GEF annual reports as well as knowledge products.

Provision of technical advice, capacity building, institutional support, project management and implementation support to the Government to ensure effective and timely delivery of the project.

Advise, support the relevant parties to develop a realistic annual and quarterly workplans and a corresponding budget plan with clearly stated milestones contributing to the achievement of target outcomes and outputs defined in the project document.
Ensure the participation and involvement of relevant stakeholders in project activities at national, provincial and district levels in the project planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
Support implementation of project activities to ensure delivery of resources and results according to planned targets, activities, and prepare the budget plan at the national, provincial and district levels.
Ensure the development of linkages across the project outcomes and outputs, as well as advise and update the National Project Director and UNDP on the project progress on a regular basis.
Advise, support and implement Annual Project Reviews, annual audits, mid-term evaluation and final evaluation of the Project in collaboration with the project team and consultants.
Support recruitment of competent national and international experts that are needed by different outcomes/components of the project.
Organize and oversee consultant input, develop detailed Terms of References for national and international consultants and contractors in collaboration with Project Manager, National Project Director, UNDP and support in procurement of goods, organization of training sessions, seminars, etc.
Liaise with all consultants and project teams to ensure that the planned deliverables are completed in timely manner within the contract period.
Support and be involved in organizing and facilitating project meetings, workshops etc. with relevant substantive inputs.
Identify and develop synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.
Closely work with the Project Manager and M&E Officer to provide capacity development for key government staff at the national, provincial and district levels to support better informed and planned implementation of sustainable agriculture, IPM/GAP, agrochemicals management and green finance.
Closely work with the Project Manager and M&E Officer to track and verify GEF Core Indicators (including indicators on POPs/HHPs avoided, beneficiaries reached, and area under improved practices) and other tools as required by GEF.
Ensure results of all training activities and workshop feeds into the progress reports with an emphasis on results-orientation.
Support DOA and UNDP in closing projects operationally in accordance with rules and regulations of UNDP and the Government.
Undertake technical oversight daily including monitoring technical aspects of project activities.
Support on developing initial concept note to mobilize funds in scaling up the project.

Support resource mobilization and provide leadership on sustainable agriculture, IPM/GAP, agrochemicals management, green finance and agricultural value chains within the government network, UN and strengthen partnerships/coordination with key stakeholders for better coordinated support for integrated sustainable development.

Support the government and the UNDP in strengthening partnership/coordination with key stakeholders, particularly the donors/development partners, financial institutions (Agricultural Promotion Bank, Lao Development Bank, commercial banks), private sector, and the Government to identify opportunities, formulate joint initiative with maximum impacts and efficiency, minimize duplication of efforts and reduce transaction costs in the area of sustainable agriculture, IPM/GAP, agrochemicals management, green finance and agricultural value chains.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area.

Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.
Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
Promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.
Performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and the organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The National Technical Specialist will work under the supervision and work closely with the Team Lead for Natural Resource Management, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, UNDP in Lao PDR and the Project Management Unit (PMU) as well as the key government counterparts. Below is the project organizational structure depicting the reporting lines for this position.

This position will be located at the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), Vientiane Capital, with frequent travel to project pilot sites in Xiengkhouang, Luang Namtha, Oudomxay and Vientiane Capital provinces.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking:

Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking:

Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Direction & Strategy: Effective Decision Making:

Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

Business Direction & Strategy: Negotiation and Influence:

Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.

Business Management: Project Management:

Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Management: Risk Management:

Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.

2030 Agenda: Planet Chemicals & Waste Hub:

Chemicals and Waste: Persistent Organic Pollutants

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in Agriculture, Agronomy, Plant Protection, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Management and Planning, Sustainable Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Sustainable Development, and/or relevant field of studies is required or,
A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.

Experience:

Minimum 5 (with master's degree) or 7 years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant working experience within sustainable agriculture, IPM/GAP, agrochemicals management, chemicals and waste management, environmental management, agricultural economics, and/or relevant field of studies.

Required Skills:

At least 5 years of proven experience in project management, in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
Experience with project planning and consulting.
Experience in fostering networks and partnerships.
Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired Skills:

Prior experience in similar positions in UNDP/GEF programme/projects.
Demonstrated track record of experience in developing and providing sound policy advice, strategic planning, organizational guidance and critical analysis in relation to sustainable agriculture, IPM/GAP, agrochemicals management, chemicals and waste management, environmental management, agricultural economics, and/or relevant field of studies.
Experience with community-based agriculture, smallholder farming systems and pesticide lifecycle management.
Experience in developing and/or reviewing environmental law, policy, guidelines, and strategies.
Experience with the Stockholm Convention, FAO/WHO International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management, FAO Pesticide Registration Toolkit, and SAICM.
Experience with UNDP Project and Programme and NIM with Country Office Support to National Implementation.
Previous work experience in Southeast Asia or developing countries

Required language(s): Fluency in Lao and English is a required.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

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National Technical Specialist [Open to internal and external applicants]