Administrative Assistant for Country Partnership formulation Programme

​Requisition ID: 7873
Grade: ISA -G5
Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic
Duty Station: Vientiane
Category: Local Support Personnel
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 48 working days over a period
Application deadline: 09-Sep-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
UNIDO welcomes applications from qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to applicants and employees with disabilities to support full participation in the recruitment process and in the performance of their duties.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies to a greater or lesser extent to all SDGs.

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) is UNIDO’s core strategic document. As the Organization moves from the 2022–2025 cycle to the 2026–2029 MTPF, it sets a renewed vision to support Member States shape their industries for development. The new priorities include renewable and clean energy, sustainable access and climate action, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, and fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains. Cross-cutting priorities focus on industrial and economic policy advice, skills development, fostering digitalization and artificial intelligence, gender equality and the empowerment of women, supporting youth, promoting cleaner production and circular economy, and leveraging private sector investment and development finance.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for UNIDO's relations with Member States and all external partners, including through the Policymaking Organs. It plays a central role for interaction and collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors; oversees the regional bureaus as well as the network of established field offices, liaison offices and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices; and supports the implementation of particularly complex projects, programmes and special assignments, thus also fulfilling an important role in safeguarding their quality and the reputation of the Organization.

Under the supervision of the Managing Director of GLO, the Division of Field and Liaison Strategy (GLO/FLS) provides strategic guidance on the set-up, operation and performance of the field structure and UNIDO's liaison offices with a view to further optimizing UNIDO's field operations, outreach to development partners and Member States, global networks and overall coherence of its service delivery in the context of the UNDS and related reform efforts. The Division also supports the work of GLO/RFO in developing regional strategies and country programmes (including Programmes for Country Partnerships - PCPs), ensuring alignment with key strategic documents of the Organization and the priorities of the Director General, as well as related results-oriented implementation plans.

The Division of Regional Bureaus and Field Offices (GLO/RFO) coordinates the field representation and interventions of UNIDO in Member States and regions. Within this context, the Division is responsible for determining programmatic priorities for UNIDO's services and ensuring that UNIDO responds to the specific needs and requirements of Member States and development partners at the country and regional levels. It facilitates, upon guidance of GLO/FLS, the development of regional strategies, country programmes (including Programmes for Country Partnership, PCPs) and monitors their implementation. The Division encompasses all the UNIDO field offices and the five Regional Bureaus: Africa (GLO/RFO/AFR), also hosting the IDDA III Secretariat; Arab Region (GLO/RFO/ARB); Asia and the Pacific (GLO/RFO/ASP); Europe and Central Asia (GLO/RFO/EUR); and Latin American and the Caribbean (GLO/RFO/LAC).

PROJECT CONTEXT

This position is located under the UNIDO Country Office in Lao PDR (GLO/RFO/ASP/LAO).

Since the start of its operations in Lao PDR in 2003, UNIDO projects have focused on enhancing food safety; increasing industrial competition/green industry transformation; digital economy advisory, implementing cleaner industrial production; applying rural energy for productive uses; and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through improved energy efficiency. Furthermore, UNIDO assistance included the facilitation of national counterparts to participate in global and regional activities on poverty reduction, trade capacity building, energy and environmental management. Thus far, the programme portfolio has 3 ongoing projects with total value of $1 million, including projects in green industry transformation, digital economy and PCP Lao PDR formulation.

UNIDO Lao PDR is now in the processing of formulating a new Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) to support the government in promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development and economic diversification.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the UNIDO Sub-regional office Representative, and working with technical colleagues and the project team, the incumbent applies basic theoretical knowledge and administrative skills in supporting and in acquiring a broad understanding of the interrelated administrative and programme/project functions contributing to technical cooperation activities in a particular sector, geographical area or programme/project. The incumbent shall carry out following main duties:

Main Duties

Concrete/

Measurable Outputs to Be Achieved

Expected Duration

Task 1: Information/data collection and coordination

• Compile general background information from readily available sources, on economic and social factors for an assigned sector, area, country or programme/project: design and draft supporting flow charts, schedules, graphs and tables;

Coordinate with substantive and support units to collect and verify documents and data, and prepare basic information needed for planning and negotiation in line with the agenda or the supervisor’s instructions. Review project documents for clarity, consistency and completeness.

• Support to the Background Research Report
• Document Collection and Verification Support file

11 working days

Task 2: Development of Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and inputs incorporation

• Work closely with the lead consultant and UNIDO Country Representative in Lao PDR to assist in fine tuning PCP document by incorporating comments of counterparts, DPs, UN colleagues and technical colleagues, and reviewing the Lao translation.
• Support the preparation of the monitoring and evaluation plan and assist in compiling partner information for the PCP, by coordinating inputs, gathering basic data, and ensuring documents are complete and aligned with the supervisor’s guidance.

• Stakeholder Consultation and Comments Compilation
• Support the PCP Results Framework and M&E Plan.
• Reviewed Lao Translation of PCP Document.

12 working days

Task 3: PCP Partnership, Communications and Pipeline Development

• Assist in liaising with counterparts to help organize national consultation and validation meetings, and support the logistical arrangements for the signing of the PCP, in coordination with the supervisor’s guidance.To promote PCP visibility, finalize the design of communication materials including standees, factsheets, and others as required.

Support the identification of potential areas for intervention and assist in compiling information for the development of project concepts in line with PCP priorities, by gathering data, coordinating inputs, and preparing basic documentation under the supervisor’s guidance.

• PCP Validation, Endorsement and Visibility Inputs
• PCP Project Pipeline and Concept Development Inputs

10 working days

Task 4: PCP Programme Coordination and Administration

• Assist in collecting and organizing relevant data and background information, and support the preparation of draft concept notes as well as the formulation of the PCP document, by compiling inputs and ensuring information is complete and aligned with the supervisor’s guidance.Provide administrative and organizational support for other coordination meetings, events, study tours, training programmes, workshops, etc. Process all payments through relevant accounts and liaise with UNIDO Office Operation Assistant and UNIDO HQ to clear all payments in a timely manner.

• PCP Formulation and Concept Development Inputs
• Coordination, Events and Financial Administration Support

9 working days

Task 5: Draft report and other ad-hoc assignments

• Assist in drafting reports and carrying out ad‑hoc assignments and basic research activities, as well as support other tasks requested by the UCR.

• Reports and Technical Support Package

6 working days

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Completed higher secondary education (high school diploma or equivalent), is required. Formal administrative/secretarial/clerical training or equivalent, is desirable.

Credit towards total working experience may be considered on a year by-year- basis, up to maximum of four years, for a higher degree education (including first university degree or equivalent diploma and/or master’s degree), in a relevant field to the post.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of eight (8) years of work experience in the related fields of the post, is required.

• Experience in office procedures and practices, preferably within the UN system or in a multicultural environment, is desirable.

• Experience in project administration, accounting and finance, providing support to managerial/professional staff and using administrative skills to assist in the execution of project development and implementation of work, is desirable.

• Experience and proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet, is required.

• Experience with SAP or similar ERP software is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Lao is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

CORE VALUES AND BEHAVIORS

Core Values

EXCELLENCE – Deliver high-quality results; continuously improve performance.

INTEGRITY – Uphold ethical standards; act transparently and responsibly.

INCLUSION – Promote respect, diversity, and fairness.

HUMILITY – Show self-awareness; value others’ contributions.

HUMANITY – Act with compassion; align work with sustainable development.

Core Behaviors

CONNECT & COLLABORATE – Build trust through effective communication and teamwork; share knowledge and embrace diversity.

ANALYSE & PLAN – Use data and evidence to inform decision-making; plan proactively and prioritize effectively.

DELIVER RESULTS WITH POSITIVE IMPACT – Take ownership and deliver high-quality outputs; align work with UNIDO’s mission and objectives.

LEARN AND DEVELOP – Continuously develop skills and capabilities; seek feedback and share knowledge with others.

ADAPT AND INNOVATE – Respond flexibly to change; embrace innovation and new approaches.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.
All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org
NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.
Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org