Women’s Empowerment and Small Grants Manager (ALLOWED)
Organization: Cord
Province: Vientiane Capital
Type of Position: Full-time
Contract Duration: 1 year with possibility to extend
Type of Organization: International NGO
Position Level: National
Application Deadline: August 8, 2025
Start Date: August 2025
Location: Based in Vientiane with frequent travel to Bokeo (Paktha, Pha Oudom), Savannakhet (Xonnabouly), and Champassak (Khong)
Salary: Based on relevant skills and experience

Job Title

Women’s Empowerment and Small Grants Manager (ALLOWED)

Reports to: ALLOWED Project Manager
Responsible for: No direct line management responsibilities

Key Internal Relationships

• Country Representative

• ALLOWED Project Manager

• Monitoring and Evaluation and Communications Officer

• Finance Officer

• Operations Officer

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Job Context

Cord is an international NGO with headquarters in the United Kingdom and a local team in Laos. With 50 years of experience in humanitarian and development work, Cord is committed to building strong relationships between government, civil society, and the private sector in conflict-affected contexts.

Cord has operated in Laos since 2011, supporting capacity building for civil society and government partners. The ALLOWED project (Access to Land – Lao Women’s Economic Development), funded by the EU, promotes women’s access to economic resources, land, participation in natural resource management, and empowerment through addressing gender norms.

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Job Purpose

The Women’s Empowerment and Small Grants Manager (WE&SGM) will lead the small grants component of the ALLOWED project. The role includes managing the grant process, building capacities of Women-Focused CSOs (WFOs) and Women Leader Cohorts (WLCs), and supporting the creation of Self Help Groups (SHGs). The manager will also support technical coaching, mentoring, and the implementation of business development and advocacy activities.

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Key Responsibilities

1. Sub-grant Management

• Oversee the small grants process, from application to selection and implementation

• Ensure compliance with donor regulations and reporting formats

• Support the identification and capacity building of grantees

• Conduct field monitoring and quality control of grantee projects

• Provide guidance to WFOs and WLCs during the grant cycle

2. Capacity Development Support

• Provide technical training, coaching, and mentoring to WFOs and WLCs

• Co-develop tailored capacity development strategies and coaching plans

• Support SHGs in designing business plans aligned with market needs

• Maintain strong support relationships with grantees

3. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support development and use of M&E tools

• Track grant performance and measure capacity development progress

4. Knowledge Management

• Maintain accurate records of grants, reports, and field activities

• Document lessons learned, best practices, and success stories

• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning among WFOs and WLCs

5. Other Duties

• Support project communications and visibility efforts

• Assist with M&E and program reporting

• Participate in team meetings, workshops, and training sessions

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Person Specification

Experience

• Minimum 5 years in small grants or project management

• Experience with capacity building and training civil society groups

• Financial management and SHG establishment experience

• Experience with multi-stakeholder coordination

• Knowledge of Lao civil society landscape and development context

Skills and Abilities

• Strong mentoring and facilitation skills

• Fluency in English (spoken and written)

• Excellent planning, communication, and team collaboration skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and report writing

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities

Knowledge and Education

• University degree in a relevant field

• Knowledge of Lao CSO operating environment

• Understanding of organizational development

• Fluency in Lao; knowledge of other ethnic languages is a plus

Attitudes and Values

• Commitment to Cord’s values and teamwork

• Support for inclusive, engaged civil society

• Sensitivity to gender, ethnicity, and diversity issues

• Professionalism, honesty, humility, and flexibility

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How to Apply

Submit your CV and cover letter to laosoffice@cord.org.uk by August 8, 2025.
This position is open to Lao Nationals only.