Vacancy #: 7312 Unit: Lao PDR Programme Coordination Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Lao PDR Country Office, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic Reporting to: Species and PA Programme Coordinator Work percentage: 100% Grade: A3 Expected start date: 15 July 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (12 months with possibility of renewal) Closing date: 25 June 2025 BACKGROUND In 1969, Lao PDR's Ministry of Foreign Affairs became a state member of IUCN and in 1992 the IUCN Lao PDR Country Office was established in Vientiane. The IUCN Lao PDR Country Program assists biodiversity conservation through a range of policy support and field projects. The Species and Protected Area (SPA) Programme, one of Programmes under IUCN Lao PDR Country Office, focus on the balance between rural livelihood improvement and natural resource management. The Programme provides communities with education and solutions to these issues, ensuring both wildlife and protected areas are conserved, while villagers are prepared for any adverse impacts of natural resource modification and climate change.
Under the SPA Programme, IUCN Lao PDR, is currently implementing the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund Project which covers part of the Annamite Mountain range including two protected areas Hin Nam No (HNN) National Park and Yod Nam Mo โ Phou Samsoum NPA the main activities include biodiversity monitoring, management planning and capacity building activities, another goal is to develop and promote nature-based tourism. JOB DESCRIPTION Major Responsibilities
Based at the Country Program Office in Vientiane, with frequent travel to the provinces, the SPA Senior Technical Officer is responsible for leading coordination under the SPA program area of IUCN Lao PDR. In addition, this position serves as the part-time Communication Focal Point for the national office.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Communication and Outreach (70%)
โข Serve as the focal point for communication and outreach for IUCN Lao PDR.
โข Provide communications support to document project highlights and promote the work of IUCN Laos (e.g., videography, photography, social media content, story writing, publications, translations, and interpretation).
โข Support the Communication Officer in preparing communication materials, collecting photos/videos, and producing web stories, articles, or other social media content.
โข Maintain internal communication and outreach files for easy access and reference.
2. Program Coordination and Liaison (30%)
โข Coordinate with local partners and government stakeholders on biodiversity thematic field activities.
โข Assist Programme Officers in inter-programme coordination and information sharing.
โข Provide administrative and logistical support for program and project activities.
โข Specific Duties
โข Provide logistical support for programme/project activities such as meetings, field visits, events, and travel.
โข Organize and facilitate regular internal coordination meetings, including minuting and tracking follow-up actions.
โข Maintain and manage internal files and templates to ensure easy access and accurate record-keeping.
โข Assist in the coordination and documentation of contractual and procurement processes in compliance with IUCN and donor policies.
โข Review project invoices, expense claims, and partner reports to ensure accuracy and completeness before submitting to Finance.
โข Act as a liaison between programme/project teams and corporate services on all administrative and financial matters.
โข Support implementation of new project activities, ensuring alignment with IUCN standards and procedures.
โข Multi-task and prioritize workload in a dynamic working environment.
Institutional Responsibilities
โข Ensure field activities are conducted in compliance with health, safety, environmental, and cultural sensitivity standards, including the use and maintenance of medical kits for field trips.
โข Ensure full compliance with IUCN internal policies and guidelines throughout all aspects of project implementation.
โข Represent IUCN Lao PDR in internal and external meetings at the national level, as needed.
Other Duties
โข Support other projects or carry out additional tasks as requested by the IUCN Country Office. REQUIREMENTS โข Bachelor or equivalent degree preferably in communications, environmental management, biology, forestry or related fields.
โข A minimum of 3 years of experience in project administration and implementation, ideally within the non-profit or development sectors. This includes logistic support, organizing events, coordinating resources, managing schedules, and overseeing project activities to ensure smooth operations.
โข Proven experience working effectively in international teams and multidisciplinary groups, fostering collaboration and mutual understanding.
โข Willingness to frequently travel within the country, sometimes at short notice.
โข Excellent command of English is essential for both written and spoken communication. Strong interpretation and translation skills are required to facilitate clear communication between diverse teams and stakeholders, particularly in cross-cultural and multilingual contexts.
โข Computer literacy in MS Office packages and Media design software.
โข Excellent organizational and networking skills, team-oriented attitude, problem solving skills and ability to work independently.
โข Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines. APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the \"Apply\" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the worldโs largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve peopleโs well-being.
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