Int’l Consultant – Developing Foresight Capacity for the GoL.

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Introduction

Country: Lao PDR

Description of the Assignment:  

The consultant will work under the guidance of the Economic and Fiscal Policy Department (EFPD) and the Project Management Unit of the International Finance Cooperation Department (IFCD), Ministry of Finance (MoF), in close coordination with UNDP. Building on the existing foresight methodology and the outcomes of the September 2025 training, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Task 1. International Best Practices and Case Study Compilation

• Conduct targeted research to identify and compile relevant international case studies on the application of strategic foresight in government planning, with the aim of informing the adoption of foresight approaches in development planning in the Lao PDR.
• Select case studies that are contextually relevant to Lao PDR’s development context and priorities, including economic diversification, climate change adaptation, and LDC graduation transition planning.
• For each selected case study, provide a written summary of the approach, the methodologies used (e.g., scenario planning, horizon scanning), institutional arrangements, key lessons learned, and success factors.
• Prepare a briefing note for the EFPD synthesizing these findings and outlining practical implications for strengthening foresight practices in Lao PDR.

Task 2. Mentoring and Development of Teaching Resources for National Scale-Up

• Provide EFPD staff with a step-by-step guide on how to independently deliver foresight training, including session plans, training slides, facilitation guidance, and key talking points, building on the existing ToT Guide.
• Develop a suite of standardized and context-specific training materials tailored to the Lao PDR context for use in future capacity-building activities. Materials should include presentation slides, practical exercises, case study handouts, and workshop templates.
• Provide direct mentoring support to a designated core team of trainers within the EFPD. This will include co-facilitating at least one pilot training session for another ministry, where feasible, providing facilitation feedback, and supporting the adaption of training materials for their audience.
• Establish a knowledge repository containing finalized training materials, case studies, tools, and methodologies for institutional use within EFPD.
• Develop a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework to support EFPD in assessing the effectiveness and impact of future foresight training programmes.

Tasks 3: Consolidation, Institutionalization, and Scaling of AI Foresight Platform

–    Collaborate closely with the Foresight AI Consultant throughout the assignment, with a specific focus on AI utilization, networking, and stakeholder engagement.

–    Develop and document Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support transition to full government ownership where required.

–    Support resource mobilization efforts for platform expansion and sustainability, including the development of concept notes, proposals, and strategic partnerships building on the current achievements of the projects.

–    Facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues on AI and human development, engaging government, private sector, civil society, development partners, and academia, where feasible.

–    Facilitate and/or support regional knowledge exchange initiatives to share lessons learned, good practices, and experiences related to AI foresight and digital governance.

Provide technical inputs on responsible and inclusive Foresight AI governance, consideration and analysis of gender-differentiated impacts and broader social inclusion dimensions.

Period of assignment/services: 25 working days

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Documents :

Negotiation Document(s)
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