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Last checked: 1 day ago
Closing date: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic
Duty station: Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
Contract type: FTA Local
Grade: Not specified
Applicant eligibility: Not explicit in source
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Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
Lao PDR has achieved impressive growth rates for two decades. Poverty rates declined significantly from 33.5 percent in 2002-2003 to 23.2 percent in 2012-2013 and 18.6 percent in 2018-2019. Lao PDR's Human Development Index value increased by 52.0 percent between 1990 and 2022, reflecting significant progress in life expectancy, expected years of schooling, mean years of schooling and GNI per capita. Sustained socio-economic progress enabled Lao PDR to meet the criteria for graduation from Least Developed Country status with graduation scheduled in November 2026. However, progress, while significant, also masks underlying development challenges which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following prolonged periods of currency depreciation and high inflation rates in the last three years, the Government has been able to stabilize the Lao Kip and inflation rates with tightened monetary policy measures. Lao PDR’s economy is also recovering, with projected GDP growth around 4 percent for 2025, mainly driven by services including tourism and logistics sectors. In 2023, Lao PDR’s Human Development Index score was 0.622, placing the country in the medium human development category. However, when adjusted for planetary pressures (carbon dioxide emissions per person -production-based-, and material footprint per capita), Lao PDR’s score falls to 0.580, reflecting the environmental cost of development gains.
To support Lao PDR’s vision of becoming a self-reliant economy – a central theme of the Tenth National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2026-2030, and its smooth graduation from Least Developed Country status, UNDP Lao PDR provides technical assistance and capacity building aimed at systems strengthening, including national planning and financing processes, trade promotion, and Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises ecosystems. As the global development financing landscape undergoes major disruption and transition, UNDP will support Lao PDR to test and scale innovative financing instruments and policies to achieve climate resilience and sustainable development. More importantly, UNDP will expand its work with the private sector, recognizing its role as a driver of inclusive growth, to help align private capital with national and global sustainable development goals, ensuring that private investments generate positive social and environmental impacts while yielding financial returns.
UNDP Country Office is currently designing its next country programme for Lao PDR which will cover the period 2027-2031. The next country programme will be aligned with UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Lao PDR 2027-2031, also under preparation.
UNDP focuses on expanding people’s choices for a fairer, sustainable future, as envisioned by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: a future where no country has to choose between human development and the health of the planet, where prosperity and sustainability advance together, leaving no one behind. UNDP helps to reduce poverty and create prosperity by expanding opportunities for people and businesses to access productive assets, decent jobs and livelihoods and to build human capital; and by enhancing protection from shocks, crises and multidimensional vulnerability, through risk reduction measures, access to essential services and social protection.
Prosperity for all must include enhancing women’s economic opportunities and overcoming barriers to their full economic participation, including limited access to property rights, financial services and equal pay.
The Human Resources (HR) unit provides support to Country Office (CO) management in ensuring that the office is appropriately staffed with high quality and engaged personnel who receive the guidance, feedback, and development they need to fully contribute to the CO’s agenda and Sustainable Development Goals. The HR team applies strategic human resource management policies, procedures, programs and solutions – that leverage both technology and analytics – to promote a strong people management culture and high performing, diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace.
Position Purpose
Under the overall guidance of the Operations Manager the HR Associate ensures execution of transparent and efficient HR services in the CO. The HR Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach and supports the maintenance of high staff morale.
The HR Associate may supervise and lead clerical and support staff in the HR Unit. The HR Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, and project teams in the CO, UNDP HQ OHR Business Partners, and staff in GSSC and other UN Agencies to exchange information and resolve complex HR-related issues.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure effective administration and implementation of HR strategies and policies.
Provide HR services to the UNDP CO and other UN agencies, including recruitment and staffing.
Ensure proper staff performance management, talent management and career development in CO.
Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: May supervise clerical and support staff in the HR unit.
Competencies
Core competencies:
People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Development
Business Management
HR
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Experience:
Required languages:
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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