Mission and objectives

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF’s mandate, mission and unique attributes provide a strategic advantage in promoting and supporting transformational change to achieve sustainable coverage at scale. After more than 45 years in Lao PDR, UNICEF Lao PDR UNICEF is one of the longest-serving international organizations in the country plays an important role in supporting the government, advocating for reform and leading coordination to scale-up results.

Context

Lao PDR has been facing major economic hardships, mainly due to protracted macroeconomic instability, and social sectors and services are severely affected. In 2024, the education budget was one of the lowest in recent years, being among the lowest in the world and in ASEAN countries. The negative impact of the economic hardships is clearly reflected in the recent alarming declines in school enrolment rates at all levels, and a significant increase in the number of out-of-school population both at the primary level (13.8% out-of-school) and lower secondary level (29.1% out-of-school). This in turn has led to fuelling the already-existing severe learning crisis and exacerbating inequalities in Lao PDR where children, particularly the most disadvantaged, including non-Lao speakers, lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills (only 11% [reading] and 32% [mathematics] of Grade 5 students have the minimum proficiency in 2024). Additionally, many adolescents are left behind lacking essential skills for work and life, including digital skills, green skills and 21st century skills. This UNV assignment is to support the planning and implementation of the UNICEF Lao PDR’s Education Programme to tackle those key challenges, as part of the UNICEF Country Programme 2022-2026 and the transition to the new Country Programme 2027-2031. The Country Programme 2022-2026 aims that by 2026, more children, including adolescents, especially the most disadvantaged, are better prepared for school and have improved learning outcomes and skills to achieve their full potential. UNICEF’s support covers Early Childhood Development (ECD)/Early Childhood Education (ECE), Primary Education and Secondary Education. UNICEF works for both upstream work (policies, curriculum, standards, system strengthening and evidence generation, etc) as well as the downstream work at provincial, district, school and community levels (teachers and education workforce capacity development, service delivery, demand creation and community empowerment etc,), strengthening the linkages at all levels and translating policies into actions. UNICEF promotes cross-sectoral approach and thereby support children and adolescents’ learning, upskilling and development holistically. UNICEF works with the Lao Government, particularly the MoES and in coordination with other line Ministries and government institutions, both at the national and sub-national (provincial and district) levels. UNICEF also engages various partners, including other UN agencies and bilateral and multilateral organizations, NGOs, civil society organizations (CSOs), academia and private sectors. On the ground, UNICEF partners with mass organizations (such as Lao Women’s Union, Lao Youth Union and Lao Front) and reaches out to schools and communities, including those in remote and most disadvantaged. The direct beneficiaries include school-aged children (ECE, primary and secondary education), their teachers, principals, education administrators, parents and caregivers.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of Chief of Education, UNICEF Lao PDR, the UNV will contribute to supporting the planning, implementation and coordination of the UNICEF’s Education Programme that enhances the capacity of the government, implementing partners and other duty bearers to enhance learning outcomes and skills development of children and adolescents. This would include engagement and empowerment of children and adolescents as well as parents and communities. In doing so, the UNV will work as part the Education team and in close coordination with other sections of UNICEF Lao PDR, in liaise with the government and other stakeholders. More specifically, the UNV will undertake the following key tasks (not limited to): • Support for Communication - Support communication and documentation of the progress and impact of Education Programme’s interventions, including those for donor reporting, fundraising and advocacy purposes. • Support in Monitoring &Evaluation (M&E), and Knowledge Management in Education - contribute to the government and UNICEF’s in-house capacity improvement in M&E, and knowledge generation and management. This includes (not limited to) assistance with education research, studies and evaluations. • Support for (Sub) Sector Coordination – Provide assistance to enhancing UNICEF’s capacity to contribute to improved coordination and effectiveness of the Education Sector Working Group (ESWG) mechanism, including Early Childhood Education (Focal Group 1), Basic Education Focal Group (Focal Group 2), Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and the UN Education Result Group, etc. • Other Tasks - Contribute to other Programme related tasks as appropriate, including (not limited to) inputs to annual reviews, MoES-UNICEF Rolling Work Plans, development of funding proposals, donor visits, annual reports, etc.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Building Trust • Commitment and Motivation • Communication • Creativity • Ethics and Integrity • Knowledge Sharing • Planning and Organising • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Technological Awareness • Self-management • Working in Teams

Living conditions and remarks

The UNICEF Lao PDR Office is a multi-cultural working environment with around 70 staff. The UNV will be based within the Education Section of the UNICEF Lao PDR Office in the Capital City of Vientiane. The assignment will also require field mission travels to support programme implementation, monitor and facilitate UNICEF-supported activities in the provinces. All work-related travels to sub-national level, including air tickets, car rentals, security clearance, will be supported by UNICEF as per UNICEF rules. There are several UNVs (international and national) working for UNICEF Lao PDR, including in the Education programme. UNV will also avail peer-support from those UNVs in the office as well as wider UNV networks in the country. Lao PDR is a family duty station and is safe (hardship level B). As part of the appointment process, the UNV is required to complete the B-SAFE training (online) and submit the certificate. The workplace (Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR) is located by the side of the Mekong River, 3km from the center of Vientiane Capital and easy to reach. Commuting is either done by private car, taxis, bicycles or on foot. There is a wide range options for accommodation, including apartments and individual houses. Rents vary from approximately USD500 per month for a small house or one bedroom apartment to USD1,500 per month for larger properties. Most of international staff’s children attend international schools with an academic system that is widely recognized abroad. International schools often include a kindergarten and pre-school classes (sometimes even a nursery) for younger children. Babysitters are commonly available. It is advisable to ask your embassy in Vientiane which schools your compatriots prefer for their children. The office extends the support to its maximum possible level to facilitate work for spouse and partners. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements: Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity’s policy UNV Beneficially: - Volunteer Living Allowance: USD 816,33 - Family Allowance - Entry Lumsum: USD 350/First entry - Exit Lumsum - Health & Life Insurance