Laos-EU Cooperation Facility

The Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is currently concluding the implementation of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2021–2025. Closely aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the objective has been to leverage the country’s full development potential to support a robust and sustainable graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026, while ensuring quality growth that is socially equitable and environmentally sound. In preparation for this transition, the Government is finalizing the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026–2030), which will outline strategies for sustaining progress and addressing emerging development challenges in the post-LDC context. To support development coordination and dialogue, the Government has institutionalized the Round Table Process (RTP) as a key national mechanism that brings together the Government, development partners, civil society, and the private sector. Coordinated by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the RTP ensures that development cooperation is aligned with national priorities, fosters transparency, and enhances mutual accountability. The European Joint Programming Strategy (EJPS) 2021–2027, also known as the "Team Europe Strategy" in the Lao PDR, active since January 2022, embodies the collective commitment of European partners country’s Agenda for Sustainable Development. The strategy focuses on three main priority areas: green and inclusive economy, human capital and good governance. The green and inclusive economy priority supports climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and rural development, natural resource management, private sector development, trade and tourism. Human capital efforts concentrate on strengthening education systems, including technical and vocational training, and healthcare services. The good governance pillar promotes local governance, public financial management, justice and the rule of law and citizen’s engagement.

Specific objective: The specific objective (Outcome) of this contract is to contribute to the achievement of the objectives and expected results defined in the Team Europe strategies for Lao PDR in alignment with the National Socio-Economic Development Plans (NSEDP) and their priority reforms.

Expected Outputs

Output 1: Defined and operationalised mechanisms for strategic dialogue and coordination of EU cooperation.

Output 2: Strengthened national institutional capacities to identify, formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate EU cooperation programmes, including in the context of Team Europe Initiatives and Global Gateway.

Output 3: Enhanced sectoral knowledge and improved capacity in key thematic areas - including gender, inclusion, the human rights-based approach - contributing to influence on the National Development Agenda by promoting these core EU values.

Output 4: Improved capacity of stakeholders, including private sector and wide range of CSOs, in definition, implementation and monitoring of the 10th NSEDP and subsequent sector reform plans;

Output 5: Enhanced Team Europe’s engagement with the Government of Lao PDR and other State and non-State stakeholders through the established Round Table Implementation Mechanism;

Output 6: Improved capacity on climate and biodiversity action, while explicitly contributing to Green Deal/Global Gateway “green and clean” objectives and principles.

• Master’s degree in the field relevant to this assignment (such as Public Administration, Political Sciences, Economics, International development) or Bachelor degree in the same field plus 4 years (880 Full-Time Equivalent, FTE) of relevant professional experience on top of the minimum number of years of general professional experience;

• Proficiency in English language oral and written (CEFR level C2) to be demonstrated by certificate or past relevant experience.

General professional experience :

• At least 10 years (2200 FTE) of work experience in the area of development cooperation and institutional capacity-building of state and non-state actors.

Specific professional experience :

• At least 5 years (1100 FTE) of working experience in project management including planning and identification of activities, budgeting and monitoring;

• At least 3 years (660 FTE) of working experience as a Team Leader in international development cooperation projects;

• Experience in producing high-quality written outputs (project formulation, policy briefs, evaluations, studies) in sectors relevant to this assignment. Evidenced by at least 3 client-facing deliverables in the past 2 years.

Assets :

• Previous professional experience with EU development co-operation projects and procedures;

• Previous professional experience in South East Asia.

Place of performance:

• Vientiane, People’s Democratic Republic of Laos : 60%;

• Home based : 40%.

• Bachelor degree in the field relevant to this assignment (such as Administration, Logistics/Procurement, Human Resource Management, Project/Event management) or vocational education in the same field plus 4 years (880 FTE) of relevant professional experience in addition to the minimum years of general professional experience;

• Proficiency in English oral and written (CEFR level C1) as well as in Lao language (CEFR level C2) to be demonstrated by certificate or past relevant experience.

General professional experience:

• A minimum of 5 years (1100 FTE) of professional experience in project management and coordination.

Specific professional experience:

• A minimum of 3 years (660 FTE) of professional experience in organising meetings and/or consultations and workshops in coordination with government and/or development partners and/or civil society;

• Experience in organising high-level events with diverse stakeholder groups, including government officials and/or development partners and/or civil society. Evidenced by at least 3 client-facing deliverables in the past 2 years.

Place of performance:

• Vientiane, People’s Democratic Republic of Laos : 100%.

Master degree in relevant technical area(s) or bachelor in the same field plus 4 (880 FTE) years of relevant professional experience;

• 10 years (2200 FTE) of working experience in relevant technical areas;

• Previous experience in developing countries;

• Excellent English expression both orally and in writing (CEFR level C2).

Fields of Expertise :

Aid Effectiveness, Monitoring and Evaluation, Green Economy, Climate Change, Environment, Sustainable Agriculture and Value Chains, Trade and Investment, Tourism, Education, Macro-Economics, Public Finance Management, Citizen’s Engagement, Gender and Human Rights.

Place of performance:

Vientiane, People’s Democratic Republic of Laos : 100%.

Bachelor degree in relevant technical area(s) or vocational education in the same areas plus 4 years (880 FTE) of relevant professional experience.

• A minimum of 3 years (660 FTE) of working experience in relevant technical areas;

• Previous working experience in ASEAN countries;

• Good English expression both orally and in writing (minimum CEFR level B1);

Excellent Lao expression both orally and in writing (CEFR level C2), when needed.

Fields of expertise:

Aid Effectiveness, Monitoring and Evaluation, Green Economy, Climate Change, Environment, Sustainable Agriculture and Value Chains, Trade and Investment, Tourism, Education, Macro-Economics, Public Finance Management, Citizen’s Engagement, Gender and Human Rights.

Place of performance:

Vientiane, People’s Democratic Republic of Laos : 100%.