Program Associate, Water

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Program Associate, Water will contribute to the delivery of key projects within the Water Unit of GGGI Lao PDR, as outlined above. The Associate will report to the Water Unit Lead (Senior Officer, Water Resources) and will provide technical, programmatic, administrative, finance and logistical support for project delivery, including the coordination, implementation and reporting of project activities. In addition, the Associate will support the coordination of technical assignments for specific project activities. The Associate will also contribute to resource mobilization activities, communications and knowledge production in cooperation with both internal and external stakeholders.

PURPOSE 

• Provide technical support in the preparation of key technical outputs and deliverables of unit projects, including both desk and field research and consultation activities, in the areas of urban development, wastewater management and nature-based solutions across both policy and infrastructure
• Support project teams of the Water Unit to develop and manage budget execution plans and schedules, workplans and associated project coordination activities in line with funding agreement and project commitments.
• Support organization and implementation of projects activities including policy consultation and validation meetings and workshops, capacity building programs based on yearly and biannual work programs and budget plans. 
• Administer and monitor procurement plans and requisition procedures in line with project implementation plans and funding agreements.
• Support infrastructure tendering and contractual processes. 
• Ensure adherence to GGGI policies across procurement, legal, HR and finance within the designated projects and in coordination with the GGGI Lao PDR Operations Enabling Unit. 

ENGAGEMENT 

• Support program activities with the preparation, organizing, or processing of meetings or workshops.
• Assist in the preparation of briefing materials, presentations and reports, concept notes and other project documentation as required. 
• Support in the preparation of internal coordination meetings including note taking, meeting summaries and other key activities.  
• Work closely with the Government of Lao PDR, especially Department of Habitat and Urban Planning, Vientiane Capital’s Department of Planning and Investment, and the Department of Water Supply, as well as other project stakeholders for timely project delivery. 
• Foster and support GGGI’s various relationships in the adaptation and climate change sectors in Lao PDR.
• Anticipate donor requirements and project requirements and ensure alignment of services to meet project needs.
• Assisting on English-Lao-English translation both verbal and document-based. 

DELIVERY 

• Contribute to the timely delivery of the unit projects activities in line with their logical frameworks. 
• Support Water Unit project reporting tasks, including monthly progress reports, annual and biannual reports and other project reporting responsibilities.
• Ensure project documentation is filed correctly within GGGI’s Sharepoint system, and in compliance with internal knowledge management principles. 
• Support the organization of relevant meetings, focus group discussions, workshops, and trainings with key stakeholders. 
• Prepare communication material in collaboration with the Communications Unit. 
• Support in identifying relevant information related to policy-driven issues, synthesis of best practices and lessons-learned directly linked to program goals. 
• Support in GGGI’s knowledge base, project and activity portfolio, best practices and lessons-learned to promote adoption, replication and upscaling. 

REQUIREMENTS   

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Undergraduate (bachelors) degree in environmental engineering, environmental management, environmental science, climate change, public policy, or another relevant field. 
• A graduate degree (masters) in one of the above fields will be a strong advantage. 
• Preferred 3-5 years of professional experience engaged on urban planning, environmental management, climate and/or sustainable development projects and activities.  
• Preferrable to have one year of experience undertaking one of the following work tasks: technical environmental analyses, such as surveys, policy reviews, environmental impact assessments and other technical analyses; community engagement and development; environmental impact assessment; wetland analysis and/or restoration; wastewater and/or urban infrastructure design, development and/or construction, etc. 
• Strong knowledge of resilience and climate change adaptation in sectors such as urban planning / development, integrated water resources management, ecosystem services management will be an advantage. 
• Previous experience executing stakeholder engagement activities, across the government, international development agencies and/or private sector. 
• Ability to support multiple projects, and familiarity with standard project management stages and activities. 
• Working fluency in English and Lao and ability to translate between the two languages as needed. 

FUNCTIONAL  

• Ability to apply related concepts in the adaptation contexts of Lao PDR. 
• Ability to communicate substantive issues to engage technical staff and leaders.  
• Ability to build and manage complex multi-stakeholder relationships at the technical level. 
• Ability to engage with government counterparts at relevant levels in a polite, professional and effective manner. 
• Able to communicate, listen to others, and contribute to an environment for open communication across cultures. 
• Proven communication skills and track record in stakeholders’ dialogue and engagement with the private sector. 
• Maintain a high degree of professional integrity at all times, both internally within GGGI and externally to GGGI’s partners and clients 

CORPORATE  

• Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values. 
• Promote the optimum use of public resources. 
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership. 
• Process and share information easily. 
• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily. 
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff. 
• Be able to lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenge. 

WORKING CONDITIONS  

The Program Associate, Water is an X6 grade level in GGGI’s national salary scale. Determination of base salary is subject to candidate’s experience, academic background and internal equity. GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision. This is a national position and does not include relocation benefits.  

GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members. 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The GGGI Lao PDR program has been expanding rapidly in the areas of climate change, green cities and green investment mobilization. Since 2018, GGGI has been implementing a range of Readiness and Preparatory Support Program projects focused on building national capacity and policy for green finance, capacity building, climate modelling, energy efficiency, electric mobility and climate policy. GGGI has also undertaken a range of activities and projects to support Lao PDR’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). In addition, since 2019, GGGI has been implementing sanitation and fecal sludge treatment solutions in Pakse, Lao PDR, across interventions spanning infrastructure, policy, financing, regulation and capacity development. The country office has workspaces in the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport at central level, as well as the Vientiane Capital and Champasak Province governments. 

GGGI Lao PDR’s Water Unit leads implementation of projects and outcomes related to water and wastewater policy and planning, water and wastewater infrastructure and technologies, and flood management and resilience at a national level. Key projects within the portfolio include Phase I of the KOICA-funded project “Wastewater and Solid Waste Treatment Capacity Building” through which GGGI is providing technical assistance for improved wastewater in Pakse City; Phase II of this project, also supported by KOICA, through which GGGI’s support in the wastewater sector will be extended to Kaysone, Savannakhet; and a new project “Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Adaptation” (NATURA), funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), aimed to increase the resilience of urban communities in Vientiane Capital through a range of interventions, including nature-based solutions, to improve urban wetland management for urban flood resilience. Along with project delivery, the Water Unit also engages in business development for the water and wastewater sectors, as well as water-related knowledge sharing and capacity development at the national and local levels. To support this work, GGGI is seeking a national Program Associate, Water with experience working in the urban public infrastructure and / or wastewater sectors to join GGGI to support the work of the Water Unit.