Laos Country RepresentativeJuly 2020
Welcome from Cord CEOAndy Pask
Thanks for taking the time to read about whatit means to join the Cord family
The Laos Country Representative is a key leadership role in our organisation and provides a rewarding opportunity for someone looking to
advance development in Laos
Cord has a long and proud history of working with communities worldwide to build their
capacity for peace
The focus of our global strategy is on transforming dysfunctional relationships between
those in power and citizens (like you or I) into those that create peaceful and inclusive societies where everyone can live free from fear and with
the freedom to flourish
Our current country portfolio focuses on 5 highly sensitive contexts - Burundi, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar & Vietnam
We work with a wide range of civil society groups and powerholders (authorities, multi-national businesses, faith leaders) in order to develop more constructive engagement
This leads to real transformative change such as:- survivors of sexual violence accessing justice- stigmatised groups gaining access to healthcare- indigenous peoples regaining rights to their land- religious and ethnic minorities gaining freedom
to express their beliefs
We have been present in Laos since 2011 and havea long term strategy to deliver transformationalchange
We play a leading role in supporting thecapacity development of Lao civil society and keypowerholders to support the development of LaoPDR for the benefit of all citizens
This is an exciting and strategic leadership role within Cord
You will be leading a brilliant team of staff who have many years of experience and expertisein this area
We are looking for someone to provide inspirational leadership and vision for the team, someonewho is passionate about Cord’s values and the work that we do and can model those values tothose we work with
This role would suit someone who has representational and influencing skills and can engageeffectively with a diverse range of stakeholder including programme participants, Laos government, sector partners and prospective donors
You will need a deep understanding of the complex relationships between civil society and government and the key role that they both plan in Lao national development – and you will needto be well informed, curious, and passionate about it.
To deliver well in this senior role within Cord you will need lots of interdiciplanry skills
You will be a pragmatic enabler and team player
If you like what you read and are passionate about real and lasting change, come and join us and be part of the Cord story,
Andy Pask - Cord CEO
Our Vision...is of a world where all people live in the fullness of peace; having the freedom to flourish and live free from fear
Our Mission...is to transform dysfunctionalrelationships between individuals and communities and those holding power into positive and thriving relationships built on mutual dependency and trust
For over fifty years we have been committed to healthy, thriving, collaborative relationships that support peace
Our ValuesWe are compassionate and we find within ourselves a deep concern for our fellow human beings who are not flourishing
We value everyone and recognise that every human being is created unique and special We therefore place great value on every human life being worthy of dignity and respect with fundamental rights that should be protected
We are interdependent and know that communities and societies work best when strong and healthy interdependent relationships are formed
We explore root causes of conflict, pushing through superficial and visible effects to understand hidden drivers and how we can address them in the most sustainable way
The Role - Laos Country RepresentativeLocationVientiane, Lao PDR
Contract24 months with potential to renew
SalaryDependent on experience
Benefits33 days annual leave (including public holidays)
Reports toCEO
Responsible forProgramme Manager, Senior Finance Officer, Finance & Admin Assistant
Internal relationshipsLaos programme team, Programme Development Team (UK), FinanceManager (UK), Fundraising Manager (UK),other country leaders
External relationshipsLocal government partners and nationallevel representatives, donors and potential funders, INGO & CSO partners, INGOs/CSWG/network members
The Country Representative is the senior leader responsible for oversight and management of the Cord Laos programme and operation. They provide inspirational leadership and visionfor the team, being someone who is passionate about Cord’s values and the work that we doand who can model those values to the team and those we work with.They are responsible and accountable for implementing Cord’s strategy in Lao PDR and for the coaching and support of colleagues and partners, ensuring that the programme is well-run from both afinancial and programmatic perspective, adequately resourced and delivers successfuloutcomes that can be communicated with key stakeholders.
They have representational and influencing skills, and can engage effectively with a diverserange of stakeholders. They create new leads for funding, build donor relationships andco-develop proposals. They bring a deep understanding of the complex relationships between civil society and government and the key role that both play in Lao national development. They are a strong advocate of local capacity development and are passionate about the development of Lao civil society organisations.They are broadly informed, with a high level of intellectual curiosity and the capacity to encourage others to explore new terrain.
They are an interdisciplinary and creative thinker who can be innovative as well as pragmatic. They are an open-minded, confident professional who enjoys exploring issues with diverse stakeholders to develop and implement innovative solutions. They are a team player and anenabler and facilitator, with the strength of character and conviction to represent Laosprofessionally to a range of stakeholders as well as with Cord’s global leadership team.
Role Overview
Key ResponsibilitiesCountry Programme LeadershipLead on the contextualisation and implementation of Cord’s strategy in Lao PDR
Provide inspiration, encouragement, direction & leadership to the Cord Laos team
Lead on Cord’s values & culture by personally modelling these to the Cord team & externally
Represent Cord Laos with authority and professionalism both externally and internally, in official protocol, key networks and in media
Manage the work of senior staff staff including conducting annual performance reviews and providing regular development supervision, holding them accountable to achieving programmatic goals
Ensure HR efficiency and quality output, manage the team structure strategically to meet resourcing needs, identify development opportunities and capacity gaps
Provide internal leadership and input to Cord’s strategic priorities as part of the country leaders team
Programme DevelopmentLead on programme development including new project design & partnership development
Lead and support proposal development(including narrative and budget) with relevant staff and partners, in a way that builds capacity in this area
Develop and maintain relationships with key donors to secure new programme funding
Take responsibility for the financial feasibility of the programme and ensure financial sustainability
In collaboration with the Programme Development group, implement a diversified and sustainable funding strategy
Provide leadership and operational oversightof programme implementation
Lead identifying key issues related toorganizational development, capacity buildingand learning processes locally
Guide the documentation and dissemination oflearning to the wider development community
Provide leadership and operational oversight ofprogramme implementation
Take the lead in identifying key issues relatedto organizational development, capacitybuilding and learning processes in the local context
Guide the documentation and dissemination oflearning to the wider development community
Key ResponsibilitiesProgrammes Oversight
Lead on the local implementation of Cord’s Organisational monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (OMEAL) approach to ensure there is clear evidence of the impact of Cord’s work
Ensure that all programmatic and financial reporting is accurate, on time, and adheres to the requirements of donors, the Government of Lao PDR, Donors, Cord regionally and globally and other stakeholders
Oversea Cord’s financial operations in Laos andensure:-Monthly financial reporting to the UK-Procedures are followed-Cash planning and timely fund requests-Processes provide good financial control-Ensure effective budget management, quality donor contract management and reporting
Prepare the annual country budget, maintain a 3 year budget horizon, input to proposal budgets to ensure project and organisational costs are well planned for
Ensure compliance to the terms of donor andpartner contracts
Run a financial operation with a high degree of financial control, ensuring diligent review ofdocumentation, completion of routine internalaudit functions and undertake occasional spotchecks
Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial & Operations Management
Actively engage with the Leadership Team andProgramme Development Group about programme and operational resource needs
Ensure compliance to local laws
In consultation with the Leadership Team, beresponsible for the following areas of Cord’soperation in Laos:-Health and Safety, security and safeguarding-Facilities management of the Laos office-IT systems and knowledge management goodpractice-Good human resource management practices-Policy development for Laos operatingprocedures
Post-graduate qualification in a relevant field ofstudy
Extensive of the contemporary socio-politicalcontext of Laos
Familiarity with international developmentactors, their mode of operation and their policyinstruments
Understanding of collaborative processes,principles of relationship management andpartnership formation
About YouKnowledge Experience
Experience managing multi-national teams in an international development setting or a minimum of 3 years in a senior programmemanagement role
Experience in managing complex multi-donorfunded programmes
Extensive experience in: peace-building, capacity development, internationaldevelopment, organisational developmentand/or business development
Experience in supporting civil society,preferably in Lao
Ability to develop, and follow through HR,administrative, logistical and financial systemswith staff
Financial management skills, proven ability todevelop and manage budgets, and maintaingood financial control
Proven ability at writing donor proposals andreports
Demonstrated communication, leadership andinfluencing skills
Demonstrated capacity to develop and promoteshared values, a common perspective, respectand trust
Ability to enhance staff capacity and coachstaff in cross-cultural context
About YouSkills
Comparable knowledge,experience & skills to the
above are also welcomed andaccepted
You’ll need...Positive attitude and ability to engender support
Flexibility and adaptability, with calmness in the face of changing circumstances
Knowledge of and sensitivity to Lao culture
Patience and persistence to develop relationships with a range of stakeholders
Commitment to reflection and personal/professional learning
Willingness actively to support an active engaged civil society
Commitment to Cord’s mission and values
Willingness to undertake travel within Laos as well as occasional international travel
Interested?To apply please send an application form to [email protected]
Recruitment TimelineApplications will be reviewed on anongoing basis and interviews will beorganised according to availability
As such, the application window mayclose prior to the date below if a suitablecandidate is appointed
The application deadline is:Sunday 23rd August 2020 – 23:59 GMT
Next Steps