Background

Guided by the global UNDP Strategic Plan (2022 – 2025) and UNDP Country Programme for Lao PDR (2022 – 2026), UNDP in Lao PDR works closely with the line Ministries, mass organizations, civil society, development partners, and the private sector at both national and sub-national levels in pursuit of the national socio-economic development priorities defined in Lao PDR’s five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UNDP’s work is strongly focused on the provision of policy advice and technical support to the Government of Lao PDR in the design and implementation of national legislation and strategies across four broad Priority Pillars – (1) inclusive growth and reduced inequalities, (2) UXO clearance and risk education, (3) natural resources, climate change and disaster risk reduction, as well as (4) effective, responsive, and accountable governance.

UNDP Inclusive Growth Unit (IGU)

The Inclusive Growth Unit at UNDP Lao PDR focuses on reducing poverty, inequality and promoting social inclusion and sustainable financing for equitable solutions. The focus is on sustainable, inclusive and green jobs creation, integrity-based business development, private sector involvement in Sustainable Development Goals achievement, transparent, efficient and inclusive service provision, and equal and equitable access to economic opportunities.

The Finance and Administrative Associate plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient operations, with a strong focus on financial management and programme delivery. Reporting to the Team Leader, key responsibilities include preparing, monitoring, and reporting budgets, tracking expenditures to ensure compliance with financial regulations, and supporting resource mobilization efforts aligned with the Country Programme Action Plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Finance and Administrative Associate for IGU will work under direct supervision of the Team Lead of the Programme Unit, UNDP Lao PDR Country Office. S/He will support all financial and internal control concerns on the project, such as budgeting, raising of vouchers, procurement, updating reporting templates, payments as well as ensuring the implementation of financial and internal controls on the project.

Key functions and responsibilities include:

• Support to the financial management and procurement of the projects/programme: Support the team in drafting projects’ annual work plans, progress reports, and final reports with financial data. Track and control program/project expenditures/disbursement rate against commitments. Support project management in the Quantum system. Process payments and provide timely financial reports.
• Provision of guidance on policies and procedures to implementing partners (IPs)/Responsible Partners (RPs): Update team and partners on changes in financial policies, rules, and procedures. Provide advice and guidance to NIM project personnel on applicable policies and procedures.
• Quality assurance (HACT, M&E): Support POs and IPs in day-to-day monitoring and implementation of project activities. Provide inputs to the auditing of projects and support assessments of technical and financial management capacity.
• Support resource mobilization efforts: Contribute to the planning and project formulation process, develop budgets, analyze tracked mobilized resources, and maintain donor reporting systems.
• Effective and efficient administrative and logistical support: Liaise closely with Finance Unit and Programme Support Unit for tracking overall expenditures. Support arranging appointments, organizing meetings/workshops, and staff travel/missions.
• Support to the communications and knowledge sharing: Draft meeting minutes and letters, translate and interpret basic documents from Lao into English and vice-versa, and maintain programme/project files in SharePoint.

Competencies

• Achieve Results: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.