Program Associate

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.

Source: https://careers.gggi.org/vacancy/program-associate-water-559521.html