Monday, June 18, 2012

MFWG-Vacancy


Position: Microfinance Training & Capacity Building Expert (Lao Consultant )
Work Location: Based in MFWG Office in Vientiane
Starting Date: 6 August 2012 (for a total of 25 days)

The Microfinance Working Group for the Lao PDR (MFWG) was establishe in May 2007 to promote the development of a sustainable microfinance sector that operates in line with international standards and that contributes to poverty reduction in the long term. As the national Microfinance Industry Network, the
MFWG brings together microfinance practitioners and other relevant stakeholders to share experience and information about the sector with the goal to improve sector coordination, transparency, sustainability and quality of microfinance services. The MFWG provides services in the following core areas: Knowledge management/ research & representation, policy advocacy and capacity building/training. The network is now expanding its capacity building and training services in order to strengthen the expertise of MFI staff and Boards and therefore plans to engage a local training and capacity building expert. S/he will work with and report to the MFWG Board of Directors and Management Team.

1. Duties & Responsibilities
Support a research study on ‘The Establishment of a Microfinance Management Certificate Course’ together with an international training expert. Specific tasks include:
• Undertake a thorough desk review of relevant microfinance literature, research and existing Lao training materials
• Identify key training contents for a Microfinance Management Certificate Course and support the drafting of a curriculum design
• Assess possibility of integrating existing Lao microfinance training materials into the course curriculum
• Establish a course budget (including external funding requirements) and assess feasibility of financial sustainability of such a course
• Establish an admission and grading system for trainees and a certification system for trainers
• Organize meetings with key microfinance stakeholders based in Lao PDR
• Provide technical input and support where required during the research and to the final report
• Provide oral and written translation from Lao into English and vice versa
• Be the liaison person in charge of any follow up work related to the research outcome and identified next steps with regards the establishment of the course
2. Qualifications and Skill Requirements:
• At least a Master’s Degree in economics, finance, accounting or related business degree
• Solid microfinance expertise and understanding of Lao microfinance sector and its challenges
• At least 5 years training experience in microfinance and knowledge of policies affecting microfinance institutions
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of participatory training methods
• Experience in individual coaching of MFIs in Lao PDR
• Able to establish excellent working relationships with different microfinance stakeholders (microfinance practitioners, donors, bi/multi-lateral agencies,

(I)NGOs, service providers, policy makers, Government authorities/line ministries, etc.)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (English & Lao)
• Strong negotiation, advocacy and consensus-building skills
• Strong interpersonal, networking skills
• Ability and willingness to work in a team and to motivate people
• Computer literacy
3. How to apply?
Interested candidates are invited to submit a covering letter explaining how you meet the requirements together with a comprehensive CV that include at least two professional referees from different institutions (names and contact details) who are familiar with the candidate’s qualifications and work experience. Women are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should submit their applications online
to mfwglaopdr@gmail.com not later than 18 June 2012. All application documents will be treated confidentially and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. For more information on MFWG please refer to our website: www.mfwglaopdr.org

Plan International - Vacancy


Plan International is growing! We are looking for Lao National who has enthusiastic, dedicated development professionals interested in long term careers with a major international children’s NGO. Plan, one of the World’s largest children’s INGOs, works with children and poor communities in 48 developing countries. In Laos, Plan works in two poorest and one poor District in Bokeo Province, in basic education, early childhood development, health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, and promotion of children’s rights. Plan has no religious or political aims or affiliations. Visit www.plan-international.org for more information. Plan is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from women, members of ethnic groups and people with disabilities. Plan offers competitive salaries and long-term employment opportunities for all posts.

DATA ENCODER/TRANSLATOR (02 Positions), Houixay, Bokeo Province
Responsibilities will include

• Data entry to sponsorship system database
• Operation and management of sponsorship database system
• Track and update all Sponsorship correspondence both in system and in hard copy
• Maintain and update hard copy files and folders
• Produce database system reports
• Translation of documents from English to Lao, and from Lao to English
• Photo editing Skills, qualifications, experience
• Very fluent written and spoken English and Lao essential
• Demonstrated ability to translate documents quickly and accurately from Lao to English and English to Lao
• High quality computer skills in MS Word and Excel and understand computer hardware and software
functions
• Excellent attention to detail
• Fluency in an ethnic group language an advantage
• Must be willing and able to travel to and stay in remote villages from time to time

DISTRICT EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE and DEVELOPMENT (ECCD) COORDINATOR, Pha Oudom District, Bokeo Province.
Responsibilities include

• Organize District level implementation of the ECCD Program with District Education and Sports Bureau
partners
• Develop work plans with DESB partners and monitor activities
• Build professional relationship with government agencies and other development partners in the District
• Prepare budgets and monitor expenditures
• Collect and analyze information on the situation of infants and young children
• Help build the capacity of local Interns
• Contribute to development of future Program strategy
• Prepare progress reports on a timely basis, including Plan internal reports, reports to donors and reports to the Ministry of Education.

Skills, experience, qualifications
• University degree or demonstrated ability at this level essential, preferably in an education-related discipline
• At least three years post qualification experience, preferably in an education project or rural community development project
• Understanding of and commitment to child-centred, active teaching and learning
• Experience in networking with government agencies and other aid agencies
• Experience in budget preparation, monitoring and management
• Planning, monitoring and evaluation
• Clear written and verbal communication both Lao and English
• Fluency in other ethnic languages of Bokeo Province will be a major advantage
• Willing to travel to and stay in remote areas frequently

DISTRICT EDUCATION COORDINATOR, Pak Tha District, Bokeo Province
Responsibilities will include

• Organize District level implementation of the Basic Education Program with District Education and
Sports Bureau partners
• Develop work plans with DESB partners and monitor activities
• Build professional relationship with government agencies and other development partners in the District
• Prepare budgets and monitor expenditures
• Analyze Education Management Information System data on primary schools, collect additional information if needed
• Help build the capacity of local Interns
• Contribute to the development of future Program strategy

Skills, qualifications, experience
• University degree or demonstrated ability at this level essential, preferably in an education-related discipline
• At least three years post qualification experience, preferably in an education project or rural community
development project
• Understanding of and commitment to child-centred, active teaching and learning
• Experience in networking with government agencies and other aid agencies
• Experience in budget preparation, monitoring and management
• Planning, monitoring and evaluation
• Clear written and verbal communication both Lao and English
• Fluency in other ethnic languages of Bokeo Province will be a major advantage
• Willing to travel to and stay in remote areas frequently

FIELD FINANCE-ADMIN OFFICER/COMMUNITY TRAINER, Mueng District, Bokeo Province
Responsibilities will include

• Maintain daily book keeping records
• Follow up daily expenses
• Make payments, including per diems and costs for training courses
• Reconcile weekly and monthly cash and bank balances in the account and submit to Country Finance Manager for validation
• Assist in monitoring to ensure that all payment requests are in compliance with approved budgets, account codes
• Assist in preparing monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports and financial statements in the required formats
• Coordinate with financial audits
• Train partner organization staff and school and village committee members on procedures to manage grants from Plan, including procurement, record keeping, and reporting, with follow-up support, in line with Plan’s Community Managed Project procedures
• Follow up all on cash advances by Plan Laos to communities and partners

Skills, qualifications, experience
• Degree level education or equivalent demonstrated ability essential (strong preference for Business Administration or related discipline)
• Excellent computer skills (including Word and Excel) essential
• Fluent written and spoken English and Lao essential
• Good communications and training skills essential
• Ability to work effectively as member of a team essential
• Ability to liaise and negotiate effectively with government, suppliers, service providers and other agencies essential
• Ability to manage own time and to set and meet priorities and deadlines without close supervision essential
• Experience in a rural development INGO an advantage
• Fluency in one or more of the ethnic group languages of Bokeo a major advantage
• Commitment to gender equity and to the rights of the child
• Willingness to travel to and stay in remote villages frequently

DISTRICT SPONSORSHIP COMMUNICATION ASSISTANT, Mueng District, Bokeo Province
Responsibilities will include

• Maintain all data, files and records of sponsorship communication.
• Manage all sponsorship products.
• Maintain SC and sponsorship files according to agreed standard
• Ensure timely and quality sponsorship communications production.
• Receive & distribute sponsorship communication from Program Unit to Intern.
• Coordinate accurate and timely production and collection of Enrolment and all communications items with District Coordinators (DC) and TCDWs.
• Collect/receive Sponsorship communications items from the field and verify all communication items produced/from the field to ensure that they meet sponsorship requirements.
• Raise awareness about Sponsorship. Conduct trainings/refreshers for TCDW, village development volunteers and communities.
• Support and provide necessary information to district coordinator for preparing Project outline regarding
Building Relationship/sponsorship communication & facilitate in its implementation & monitoring.

Skills, qualifications, experience
• Basic English
• Basic Computer Skills
• Organizational and Communications skills.
• Fluency in an ethnic group language an advantage
• Must be willing and able to travel to and stay in remote villages from time to time

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT, Vientiane
Responsibilities will include

• Design and production of attractive, user-friendly reports and information materials for Plan supporters
outside Laos, including written reports, photos, video and others
• Design, testing and production of child-friendly information for children and communities on health,
education, hygiene etc and on children’s rights in general
• Write and disseminate press releases relating to Plan projects and initiatives
• Update website with current information, stories, and news.
• Gather communications and marketing resources and ensure monthly pitching and posting in Plan
communications databases (Media Bank)
• Assist with the coordination, logistics and hosting of donor/media trips to Plan Laos projects
• Translate and edit written materials from English to Lao and Lao to English
• Serve as an interpreter and translator on necessary occasions
• Assist with internal communication projects most particularly in the regular internal e-news publications
and information updates
• Perform other tasks as required by Communications Manager.
• Assist in Plan’s campaign and events.

Skills, qualifications, experience
• Fluent and engaging written and spoken English essential
• Experience in journalism, PR or corporate communications a major advantage
• Fluency in Lao essential
• Excellent computer skills a major advantage, including social media, web based communication and
desktop publishing
• Skills in photography, design and/or video a major advantage
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills
• Ability to communicate comfortably with government officials and Plan representatives at all levels
• Willingness to learn and quick to adapt to a dynamic work environment.
• Willingness to travel in remote areas

Monday, June 11, 2012

CRS-Manager & Accountant

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is looking for two positions: a senior Lao national staff to serve as a Program Manager, and an Accountant.

1. The Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing the quality implementation of CRS programs in
the education, health, and UXO sectors. Responsibilities include:
- Oversee programming unit, ensuring timely implementation of project activities
- Budgetary oversight of program spending
- Supervisory responsibility
- Lead program growth and project start-up activities, including conducting assessments
- Develop and support implementation of project M&E systems
- Ensure excellent cooperation and coordination with CRS partners and donors

Required qualifications:
- Minimum 10 years working in the development sector, preferably in the education and/or health sectors
- Strong representation, presentation, and communication skills
- Strong English (verbal and written) and computer skills
- Strong familiarity with and networks in Khammouane and Savannakhet province
- Previous experience overseeing school feeding programs highly preferred
- At least 5 years of supervisory experience
- Familiarity working with all levels of the Lao government
- Ability to problem solve; strong analytic skills
- Comfortable traveling to and staying in remote areas, as necessary
- Able to travel 80% of the time and work with minimum supervision

2. A n Accountant is required to support the finance department with basic functions.
Specific Tasks Include:
• Prepare disbursement vouchers, verify accuracy of the supporting documents according to agreement and
appropriate fund/ project.
• Maintain proper finance document and project agreements.
• Verify correctness of account codes and T codes in all supporting documents
• Assist on Prepare Cash Flow for Vientiane Office operation
• Prepare monthly Sun template, verify correctness of account codes
• Perform banking when needed
• Monitor staff advances; Support partner advances and liquidations; support partners with financial systems
Required qualifications:
• University degree or equivalent experience in accounting.
• Three years experience in a similar position.
• Previous professional experience in payroll preparation and benefits administration (preferably at least two years)
• Familiarity with Lao labor and tax laws.
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel), Sun System a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proven ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Strong English communication and writing skills

Application Deadline: June 15, 2012
Submit CV and cover letter, including salary expectation to: Mr. Phetdavone Keosomphoumy, Administration Officer,
Phetdavone.Keosomphoumy@crs.org, Tel/Fax: 021 351 066. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.