Zonal Government Relations Advisor

Position:                           Zonal Government Relations Advisor

Location:                          Savannakhet Province

Opening date:                  October 8, 2014

Application deadline:      October 21, 2014                                            

Major Responsibilities:

As a leader with field-facing responsibilities, the Zonal Government Relations Coordinator supports WV Lao PDR’s strategic goal to bring change in the lives of children in Laos, particularly to increase the number of children and mothers that are healthy and well nourished; to increase the number of children that are well educated; to strengthen the ability of parents and caregivers to provide well for and protect their children.  Specific responsibilities include the following.

·   Build strong transforming partnerships with the Lao Government at Provincial and District levels such that government authorities properly understand WVL’s child focused programming and goals for sustained improvements to child well-being; to ensure proper understanding of WVL’s mechanisms, procedures, methodologies, and goals for sustained improvements to child well-being. (2.2.1 and 2.3.2)

·   Work with appropriate government authorities to establish mechanisms to enable the self-reliance and participation of communities. (2.4.2)

·   Participate in government-hosted meetings pertinent to WVL operations to understand the government’s own applicable policies, regulations, and laws.  Ensure implications for WVL business processes are understood, and disseminate to Zone and ADP staff as required.

·   Ensure ADPs are maintaining and improving ADP adherence for minimum requirements  for gov't relationships (DRDO meetings, budgets,  reports, monthly plans, quarterly plans, bi-annual plans, etc.) and report on progress through PPM.

·   Coordinate with PRDO, NO, ADPs on the preparation and the implementation of PIMC and DIMC six monthly and annual meeting 

·   In conjunction with WVL NO Advocacy Coordinator, assist with efforts to bring about changes to government policies that have benefits for well-being of children.  (2.3.3)

·   Advise National GRA and ZM of new relevant local Lao laws or regulations and agree on WVL response with direction from National GRA.

·   Assist in design of new programs to ensure that government policies and local district plans are considered and properly included.  Support the MOU approval process for all projects and programmes

·   Manage written external communications with Provincial government departments and assist ADP in the district level.

·   Maintain good working partnership with PRDO through regular meetings (formal or informal) to provide status updates on activity implementation and discuss challenges.

·   Prepare the ADP manager to effectively liaise with all district authorities (e.g. District Governors, DPCC chairmen, DRDO) Ensure that WV and gov't partners follow agreed protocols, strengthen relationship with key contacts and organize events.

·   Review all reports, budgets and financials reports to government for appropriate content and format prior to final approval of reports and submittal to appropriate provincial and district authorities.

·   Prepare the zonal manager to negotiate with Provincial and District government authorities on challenging issues and find appropriate solutions to challenges. 

·   Take the lead in preparing, organizing and following up (minutes) Provincial and Zonal gov't meetings, workshops with government authorities, such PPCC meeting.

·   Assist ADP managers and zonal staff with preparation of monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual plans to submit to DRDO and PRDO, as requested.

·   Participate zonal-level government learning session as required to understand governments’ policies, regulations, related laws and disseminated those to Zone and ADP staff regularly.

·   Build capacity of ADP staff in negotiations with government (4.5.2)

·   Help ADP exercise greater influence for the well-being of children by fostering increased commitment to child well-being at Provincial and District levels. (2.3.2)

·   In conjunction with WVL NO Advocacy Coordinator, assist with efforts to bring about changes to government policies that have benefits for well-being of children.  (2.3.3)

·   Build partnerships with local NGOs and Lao civil society organizations based on shared objectives for children and assigned by Zonal Manager.  (2.2.3)

·   Ensure Zone-specific program information requested by WVL NO is provided in a timely manner 

Education, knowledge and skills

·   Bachelor’s degree (Communications, Development Studies or similar field)

·   Ability to negotiate with government officials

·   Good understanding of Lao government structure and main government policies related to development.

·   Knowledge of development work, including program logic, theory of change, and community empowerment

·   Strong sense of urgency and commitment to excellence

·   Excellent communications skills, both written and oral in English and Lao.

·   Strong analytical skills

·   Ability to train others, ability to provide technical guidance and support to ADP staff

·   Work experience in government

·   Demonstrates customer services orientation to ADPs, models servant leadership.

Experiences:

·   Minimum of three years in demonstrated competency in providing management level support

·   Experience supporting development activities in NGO context

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application that includes a cover letter and comprehensive CV in English, including details of 3 professional referees. Applicants should state which position (s) they are interested in Please send your application to World Vision Lao PDR, Box 312, Vientiane or Tel: 021 452 100 or 020 22220981.

Email address: Siriphone_niradsay@wvi.org

All applications will be treated confidentially and only short-listed candidates will be notified