Round Table Process (RTP) Secretariat Coordinator

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The National Planning and Financing for Inclusive Development (NPFID) project is UNDP's flagship initiative in supporting the Government of Lao PDR in development policies. Its main objective is to harmonize different aspects of national development planning processes. Specifically, the project aims to improve coordination between the Ministry of Planning and Investment, responsible for planning, and the Ministry of Finance, responsible for financing. Additionally, the project strives to enhance the involvement of Sector Working Groups in the national development planning process to ensure a unified approach to defining priorities and implementing strategies.

Operating with a catalytic approach, the project's ultimate goal is to empower the government to operate independently, reducing dependence on external aid, especially as the country progresses towards graduating from its Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026. In line with this objective, the project is charting a new development path that prioritizes people, drawing insights from UNDP's human development reports and initiatives. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the project aims to mainstream human development considerations into national development plans, promoting a more inclusive and sustainable development approach. Furthermore, the project supports the alignment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation with the National Socio-Economic Development Plans (NSEDPs) and the establishement of conducive conditions to increase government’s public revenue for development through increased tax income and promoting quality private sector investments. 

The NPFID project plays a crucial role as an integrator in the formulation and implementation of national development strategies, aiming to strengthen the government's institutional capacity in both planning and executing development plans. The project has been pivotal in supporting the Mid-Term Review of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and is actively shaping the upcoming 10th NSEDP to be more attainable, with an integrated financing framework that aligns with the country's upcoming graduation from LDC. The project is currently supporting the operationalization of the 9th NSEDP Financing Strategy, with expectation that a similar framework will be integrated into the 10th NSEDP. 

Through various capacity-building activities, such as Results-based Management, research capacity building, and foresight capacity, the project aims to strengthen capacity of the government’s planning bodies on the necessary skills and tools to formulate development plans that are resilient, risk-informed, and shock-responsive. These capacity-building activities are essential for enhancing the effectiveness of development plans of the country.

The NPFID project represents the first project by UNDP to bring together three crucial ministries involved in development strategy formulation: the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This collaboration underscores the project's commitment to strengthening the government's capacity in planning and executing development initiatives, ultimately contributing to the country's sustainable development goals. 

Reporting line: The RTP Secretariat Coodinator will report to the National Project Director, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Planning and Investment; and under direct administrative supervision by Inclusive Growth Unit’s Team Leader, UNDP.

Duty station: Department of International Cooperatin, Ministry of Planning and Investment (DIC-MPI). 

3. Scope of Work 

The RTP Secretariat Coordinator will assist DIC-MPI as the RTP secretariat to perform its role and responsibility, including following tasks:

Facilitate and review Sector Working Group (SWG) work plans

• Facilitate and provide support to the formulation and review of SWG work plans.
• Ensure key developments and changes in development directions are communicated to SWGs and reflected in their work plans.
• Align SWGs' work plans with national priorities and sectoral development plans under National Developent Planning process, and the RTP process.
• Support the implementation of NSEDPs at the sectoral level through meaningful engagement with SWGs.
• Facilitate the seamless integration of SWG priorities and strategies into broader national development agendas in collaboration with DOP-MPI.
• Consolidate annual SWG progress report.
• Collect Sector and Sub-Sector Working Group meeting materials for RTP secretariat to upload on the RTM website.

Stakeholder engagement within SWGs

• Facilitate stakeholder engagement within each SWG, including attending Sector and Sub-Sector Working Group meeting, to ensure effective cooperation between the government counterpart and development partners. 
• Provide support to the RTP secretariat to enhance coordination between different actors within each SWG, particularly between chairs and co-chairs.
• Develop and implement action plans to leverage financial and technical support from development partners within each SWG.

Monitoring and evaluation

• Develop monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the progress of SWGs in achieving their work plans.
• Regularly assess the alignment of SWGs' activities with national priorities and development plans. 
• Provide feedback and recommendations for improvement to enhance the effectiveness of SWGs and the RTP mechanism.

Capacity building and knowledge sharing

• Organize capacity-building activities for SWG members to enhance their skills and knowledge in development coordination, including capacity building on preparation of the SWG’s workplan.
• Develop and promote knowledge sharing and best practices among SWGs to foster collaboration and innovation.
• Facilitate the dissemination of information and resources to support the implementation of SWGs' work plans.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

4.Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent liaises closely with the national authorities working in the thematic area of the project, the donor community, and other UNDP programmes and projects in the country. The incumbent works with the project experts and counterparts of the Government beneficiary institution(s), as well as engages with other national institutions, international organizations, and other relevant actors.

5.    Competencies

 6. Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Minimum Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Public Policy, Public Finance, Economics, Development Studies, International Development or field related to national development planning is required, or 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience 

• Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in supporting development planning, conducting research, formulating policies, and / or developing and managing complex projects in relation to national development planning, development coordination or public finance management.
• Familiar with the development context, processes, and challenges in Laos at both central and sub-national levels. 

Required skills 

• Experience with development planning and supporting stakeholder consultations. 
• Experience in fostering networks and partnerships and ability to provide coordination with government entities, UN agencies and other development partners. 
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. 

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Experience in providing policy and / or programme advice and leading policy dialogues and actionable development plans. 
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Language(s) 

• Fluency in English and Lao is required.