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

UNICEF has been working in Lao PDR continuously since 1973, one of the longest-serving international organizations in the country. We have been implementing one of UNICEF’s largest country programmes worldwide, working tirelessly to promote the rights of children and women and to bring basic services - education, health, nutrition, protection, water, sanitation and hygiene - to those who are most in need. In Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), UNICEF is promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child. Together with our partners, we are focusing and putting extra efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children throughout the country. As part of the People and Culture (P&C) team, the People and Culture Officer will contribute his/her technical acumen to support the implementation of P&C services that enhance the capacity of their clients to deliver on their business goals and objectives. In doing so, the incumbent demonstrates the ability to anticipate P&C-related needs and develop subsequent plans and solutions that align P&C management with business objectives.

Task Description

In close collaboration with the People and Culture team in Laos, and under the direct supervision of the People and Culture Officer, and the shared supervision of the Deputy Representative Operations and the People and Culture Manager for Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, the tasks and responsibilities of the UN Volunteer will include, but not be limited to: Business Partnering - Through research of policies and analysis of data, provide support to the P&C Business Partner in advising their clients on P&C-related needs and developing subsequent plans of action. - Under the supervisor’s guidance, provide accurate and timely advice to clients on P&C processes and policies, ensuring the highest level of client-orientation. - Support supervisor in proactively advising clients on the resolution of P&C issues by recommending equitable and transparent solutions that protects both the staff and organization’s interests in accordance with policies, regulations and procedures. - Research and compile data that conveys organizational progress towards gender equity and cultural diversity. Proactively identify recurring HR issues and recommend P&C solutions that protect both staff and organizational interests. Strategic People and Culture - Help supervisor liaise with the HQ Divisions, regional and country offices to support and contribute to corporate P&C strategy formulation and global implementation. - Research and provide data which helps inform the improvement of P&C systems, policies and processes. Keep abreast and research best and cutting edge practices in P&C management and contribute to the development of global policies, procedures and introduce innovation through sharing of best practices and knowledge learned. Support to Implementation of assigned People and Culture Services - Provide support to various or one specific P&C occupation (recruitment,, career development, performance management, data analytics, learning & development, etc.) to help their supervisors in implementing efficient client services that help either attract, retain and/or motivate staff of the highest caliber. - When assigned casework in the relevant area on either a routine or non-routine basis, analyze and synthesize issues and problems, and interpret established, formal guidelines to address and recommend solutions or further actions required. - Support initiatives promoting staff well‑being, inclusion, and psychological safety. - Contribute to internal communication efforts related to P&C initiatives (policy roll‑outs, new tools, staff updates). - Support People & Culture components of office culture transformation or change‑management initiatives. Learning and Capacity Development - In collaboration with business owners, support the design and delivery of learning plans for staff. - Contributes to the mapping of competencies for all staff included in the assigned client portfolio, assisting in the development of a comprehensive framework in support of the development of the talent pipeline. - Research on efficient and cost-effective learning products which enable staff to develop their skills and competencies. - Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders. - Provide orientation briefing to new staff. People and Culture Data Analytics - Collect, interpret and analyze P&C data to help inform decision making on HR processes and strategies. - Support the development and implementation of data collection systems to optimize data quality. - Coordinate with country offices and partners to provide assistance in their P&C information management. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: - Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take an active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); - Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; - Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; - Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; - Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; - Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Competencies and values

UNICEF Core Values (CRITAS): - Care - Respect - Integrity - Trust - Accountability - Sustainability UNICEF Competency Framework: - Builds and maintains partnerships - Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness - Innovates and embraces change - Drive to achieve results for impact - Manages ambiguity and complexity - Thinks and acts strategically - Works collaboratively with others

Living conditions and remarks

Location of the workplace: The workplace is located by the side of the Mekong River, 3km from the center of Vientiane Capital and easy to reach. Commute is either done by private car, taxis, motorcycles or bicycles. The UNV will be based within the Operations section of the UNICEF Lao PDR Office in the Capital City of Vientiane. The assignment will also require periodic travel to support programme implementation, monitoring missions and facilitate child protection activities in the provinces. All work-related travel supports to sub-national level, including air tickets, car rentals, security clearance and will be supported by UNICEF as per UNICEF rules. The UNICEF Lao PDR Office is a multi-cultural working environment with around 100 personnel working to protect and advance the rights of children. Other information Inclusivity statement United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status. 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