Job Vacancy Announcement
Project Officer (PO)
Department: Program
Location: Phongsaly Province
Reports to: Project Manager (PM)
Position Type: Full-time Employee
Contract: Fixed-term (1 year, with possible extension up to 4 years project period)
About CARE International in Lao PDR
CARE International is a global INGO working to end poverty and achieve social justice, with a special focus on empowering women and girls, who often face the greatest inequalities in access to social and economic rights.
In 2024, CARE worked in over 100 countries, reaching 200 million people, and supported more than 52 million participants to promote lasting change, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
CARE International in Lao PDR has been active since 1992, improving the lives of vulnerable groups in both rural and urban areas, particularly among ethnic minority communities. CARE works in close partnership with community members, government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector. CARE currently implements projects in Vientiane Capital, Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, Sekong, Salavan, and Luang Prabang.
Through its “Marginalized Women and Girls” program, CARE empowers women and girls to exercise their rights, take leadership roles, and benefit from socio-economic justice. Program priorities include women’s health, economic empowerment, and resilience to climate change.
Job Summary / About the Role
The Project Officer (PO) will be responsible for ensuring accountability, strong government relationships, and high-quality project implementation in Phongsaly Province under the MekongElevate Project.
Key responsibilities include:
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Leading and coordinating project activities, ensuring alignment with project workplans and budgets.
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Managing project implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
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Building and maintaining strong partnerships with government agencies, CSOs, and local communities.
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Collaborating closely with CARE’s Luang Prabang office, project partners, and regional CARE offices (Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia).
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Potentially supervising community facilitators or volunteers.
This position is based in Phongsaly Province with frequent travel to remote project sites.
Qualifications and Experience
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Minimum university degree in agriculture, rural development, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
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At least 5 years of relevant experience in project coordination and management in development or humanitarian programming.
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Strong organizational and time management skills.
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Proven experience in capacity building, project implementation, and coordination.
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Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with government, CSOs, and other stakeholders.
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Ability to work effectively in a team and address project-related challenges.
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Willingness and ability to live and work in remote areas, with frequent travel.
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Good communication skills in Lao and English; knowledge of an ethnic language is an advantage.
Application Process
Qualified candidates should submit:
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A CV
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A cover letter (clearly stating the position title applied for)
Apply online via this link: 👉 Application Form
📌 Application deadline: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
(Recruitment is ongoing and will close once a suitable candidate is found. Early applications are strongly encouraged.)
The full Job Description (TOR) is available at: https://directoryofngos.org/ingo-jobs/
Important Notes
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Equal Opportunity: CARE is an equal opportunity employer. Women, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
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Safeguarding: CARE Laos has a zero tolerance policy toward sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, or child abuse. All staff must adhere to CARE’s Safeguarding Policy.
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Reference Checks: CARE Laos participates in the Inter-agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS). By applying, candidates consent to reference checks from previous employers regarding misconduct history.
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Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Documents submitted will not be returned.
