LONG-TERM AGREEMENT (LTA) for Train Ticket Booking Services for UNICEF Lao PDR

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For every child, the right to support

UNICEF Lao PDR regularly arranges official travel for staff, consultants, partners, and visiting delegations within Lao PDR and occasionally to neighboring countries such as Thailand through railway connections.

In recent years, rail travel has become an increasingly important mode of transportation due to improved railway connectivity, cost efficiency, and reduced travel time for official missions and field visits. This includes travel through the Lao-China Railway system and connected routes to neighboring countries where applicable.

UNICEF Lao PDR currently experiences challenges in arranging train ticket bookings through existing travel agencies. Most of the contracted travel agencies are unable to provide train ticket booking services, while one agencies that can provide such services offer rates that are significantly higher than local market prices.

Additionally, booking train tickets directly through the railway application/platform is operationally challenging, particularly for large group travel such as donor visits, workshops, missions, and official delegations. Train tickets are often released only three days before departure, creating difficulties in securing seats for all travelers on the same train and in the same class category.

To support operational efficiency and ensure timely travel arrangements, UNICEF Lao PDR intends to establish a Long-Term Arrangement (LTA) with an individual service provider who can support train ticket purchasing and related coordination services for domestic and regional rail travel.

The LTA may also be used by other UN agencies in Lao PDR where applicable.

How can you make a difference?

The overall objective of this Long-Term Arrangement is to establish a reliable pool of train ticket booking services to support UNICEF Lao PDR official travel requirements in an efficient, timely, and cost-effective manner.

Specific objectives include:

• Facilitate train ticket bookings for UNICEF personnel and partners;

• Support urgent and short-notice travel requests;

• Coordinate group bookings and seating arrangements;

• Assist with travel to destinations within Lao PDR and neighboring countries connected by rail;

• Reduce administrative burden associated with railway application bookings;

• Ensure travelers receive confirmed tickets and travel information on time.

The consultant/service provider will:

• Purchase train tickets for official UNICEF travel within Lao PDR;
• Arrange railway tickets to neighboring countries, including Thailand, where applicable;
• Coordinate bookings for individual travelers and groups;
• Monitor ticket release schedules and secure tickets promptly once available;
• Ensure travelers are booked on the same train and class whenever possible;
• Provide ticket options, schedules, and fare information upon request;
• Support urgent and last-minute booking requests where feasible;
• Deliver electronic tickets and booking confirmations in a timely manner;
• Coordinate ticket changes, cancellations, or re-bookings as required;
• Communicate any travel disruptions, schedule changes, or operational issues promptly;
• Maintain confidentiality of traveler information and travel plans;
• Provide invoices and supporting documents for completed services.
• Maintain accurate records of all bookings and transactions and provide consolidated reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis, or as otherwise requested by UNICEF.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Qualifications:

• Completion of secondary education required;
• Additional training or certification in tourism, travel management, administration, or related fields is an asset.

Experience

• Minimum three years of experience in travel booking, ticketing, transportation coordination, or related services;
• Experience arranging railway travel within Lao PDR is required;
• Experience coordinating group bookings is highly desirable;
• Familiarity with Lao-China Railway booking systems and regional railway travel arrangements is an advantage.

Skills

• Strong organizational and coordination skills;
• Ability to manage urgent requests and short timelines;
• Good communication and customer service skills;
• Ability to work with online booking systems and applications;
• Attention to detail and accuracy in ticket issuance;
• Ability to communicate in Lao and basic English.

HOW TO APPLY

The application should contain the following documents:

1. 1. Cover letter explaining suitability for the assignment
   2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   3. At least two references or evidence of previous similar work
   4. Financial proposal indicating service fees as per the template above

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

•Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.

•UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the recruitment or contracting process.

•Female candidates and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: LTA ToR Template (Train Ticket Service) for VA.pdf

Financial Proposal Template to be filled by the consultant: Financial Proposal Template for Train Ticket LTA.docx

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, all eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.