Laos Country RepresentativeJuly 2020

Welcome from Cord CEOAndy Pask

Thanks for taking the time to read about whatit means to join the Cord family

The Laos Country Representative is a key leadership role in our organisation and provides a rewarding opportunity for someone looking to

advance development in Laos

Cord has a long and proud history of working with communities worldwide to build their

capacity for peace

The focus of our global strategy is on transforming dysfunctional relationships between

those in power and citizens (like you or I) into those that create peaceful and inclusive societies where everyone can live free from fear and with

the freedom to flourish

Our current country portfolio focuses on 5 highly sensitive contexts - Burundi, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar & Vietnam

We work with a wide range of civil society groups and powerholders (authorities, multi-national businesses, faith leaders) in order to develop more constructive engagement

This leads to real transformative change such as:- survivors of sexual violence accessing justice- stigmatised groups gaining access to healthcare- indigenous peoples regaining rights to their land- religious and ethnic minorities gaining freedom

to express their beliefs

We have been present in Laos since 2011 and havea long term strategy to deliver transformationalchange

We play a leading role in supporting thecapacity development of Lao civil society and keypowerholders to support the development of LaoPDR for the benefit of all citizens

This is an exciting and strategic leadership role within Cord

You will be leading a brilliant team of staff who have many years of experience and expertisein this area

We are looking for someone to provide inspirational leadership and vision for the team, someonewho is passionate about Cord’s values and the work that we do and can model those values tothose we work with

This role would suit someone who has representational and influencing skills and can engageeffectively with a diverse range of stakeholder including programme participants, Laos government, sector partners and prospective donors

You will need a deep understanding of the complex relationships between civil society and government and the key role that they both plan in Lao national development – and you will needto be well informed, curious, and passionate about it.

To deliver well in this senior role within Cord you will need lots of interdiciplanry skills

You will be a pragmatic enabler and team player

If you like what you read and are passionate about real and lasting change, come and join us and be part of the Cord story,

Andy Pask - Cord CEO

Our Vision...is of a world where all people live in the fullness of peace; having the freedom to flourish and live free from fear

Our Mission...is to transform dysfunctionalrelationships between individuals and communities and those holding power into positive and thriving relationships built on mutual dependency and trust

For over fifty years we have been committed to healthy, thriving, collaborative relationships that support peace

Our ValuesWe are compassionate and we find within ourselves a deep concern for our fellow human beings who are not flourishing

We value everyone and recognise that every human being is created unique and special We therefore place great value on every human life being worthy of dignity and respect with fundamental rights that should be protected

We are interdependent and know that communities and societies work best when strong and healthy interdependent relationships are formed

We explore root causes of conflict, pushing through superficial and visible effects to understand hidden drivers and how we can address them in the most sustainable way

The Role - Laos Country RepresentativeLocationVientiane, Lao PDR

Contract24 months with potential to renew

SalaryDependent on experience

Benefits33 days annual leave (including public holidays)

Reports toCEO

Responsible forProgramme Manager, Senior Finance Officer, Finance & Admin Assistant

Internal relationshipsLaos programme team, Programme Development Team (UK), FinanceManager (UK), Fundraising Manager (UK),other country leaders

External relationshipsLocal government partners and nationallevel representatives, donors and potential funders, INGO & CSO partners, INGOs/CSWG/network members

The Country Representative is the senior leader responsible for oversight and management of the Cord Laos programme and operation. They provide inspirational leadership and visionfor the team, being someone who is passionate about Cord’s values and the work that we doand who can model those values to the team and those we work with.They are responsible and accountable for implementing Cord’s strategy in Lao PDR and for the coaching and support of colleagues and partners, ensuring that the programme is well-run from both afinancial and programmatic perspective, adequately resourced and delivers successfuloutcomes that can be communicated with key stakeholders.

They have representational and influencing skills, and can engage effectively with a diverserange of stakeholders. They create new leads for funding, build donor relationships andco-develop proposals. They bring a deep understanding of the complex relationships between civil society and government and the key role that both play in Lao national development. They are a strong advocate of local capacity development and are passionate about the development of Lao civil society organisations.They are broadly informed, with a high level of intellectual curiosity and the capacity to encourage others to explore new terrain.

They are an interdisciplinary and creative thinker who can be innovative as well as pragmatic. They are an open-minded, confident professional who enjoys exploring issues with diverse stakeholders to develop and implement innovative solutions. They are a team player and anenabler and facilitator, with the strength of character and conviction to represent Laosprofessionally to a range of stakeholders as well as with Cord’s global leadership team.

Role Overview

Key ResponsibilitiesCountry Programme LeadershipLead on the contextualisation and implementation of Cord’s strategy in Lao PDR

Provide inspiration, encouragement, direction & leadership to the Cord Laos team

Lead on Cord’s values & culture by personally modelling these to the Cord team & externally

Represent Cord Laos with authority and professionalism both externally and internally, in official protocol, key networks and in media

Manage the work of senior staff staff including conducting annual performance reviews and providing regular development supervision, holding them accountable to achieving programmatic goals

Ensure HR efficiency and quality output, manage the team structure strategically to meet resourcing needs, identify development opportunities and capacity gaps

Provide internal leadership and input to Cord’s strategic priorities as part of the country leaders team

Programme DevelopmentLead on programme development including new project design & partnership development

Lead and support proposal development(including narrative and budget) with relevant staff and partners, in a way that builds capacity in this area

Develop and maintain relationships with key donors to secure new programme funding

Take responsibility for the financial feasibility of the programme and ensure financial sustainability

In collaboration with the Programme Development group, implement a diversified and sustainable funding strategy

Provide leadership and operational oversightof programme implementation

Lead identifying key issues related toorganizational development, capacity buildingand learning processes locally

Guide the documentation and dissemination oflearning to the wider development community

Provide leadership and operational oversight ofprogramme implementation

Take the lead in identifying key issues relatedto organizational development, capacitybuilding and learning processes in the local context

Guide the documentation and dissemination oflearning to the wider development community

Key ResponsibilitiesProgrammes Oversight

Lead on the local implementation of Cord’s Organisational monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (OMEAL) approach to ensure there is clear evidence of the impact of Cord’s work

Ensure that all programmatic and financial reporting is accurate, on time, and adheres to the requirements of donors, the Government of Lao PDR, Donors, Cord regionally and globally and other stakeholders

Oversea Cord’s financial operations in Laos andensure:-Monthly financial reporting to the UK-Procedures are followed-Cash planning and timely fund requests-Processes provide good financial control-Ensure effective budget management, quality donor contract management and reporting

Prepare the annual country budget, maintain a 3 year budget horizon, input to proposal budgets to ensure project and organisational costs are well planned for

Ensure compliance to the terms of donor andpartner contracts

Run a financial operation with a high degree of financial control, ensuring diligent review ofdocumentation, completion of routine internalaudit functions and undertake occasional spotchecks

Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial & Operations Management

Actively engage with the Leadership Team andProgramme Development Group about programme and operational resource needs

Ensure compliance to local laws

In consultation with the Leadership Team, beresponsible for the following areas of Cord’soperation in Laos:-Health and Safety, security and safeguarding-Facilities management of the Laos office-IT systems and knowledge management goodpractice-Good human resource management practices-Policy development for Laos operatingprocedures

Post-graduate qualification in a relevant field ofstudy

Extensive of the contemporary socio-politicalcontext of Laos

Familiarity with international developmentactors, their mode of operation and their policyinstruments

Understanding of collaborative processes,principles of relationship management andpartnership formation

About YouKnowledge Experience

Experience managing multi-national teams in an international development setting or a minimum of 3 years in a senior programmemanagement role

Experience in managing complex multi-donorfunded programmes

Extensive experience in: peace-building, capacity development, internationaldevelopment, organisational developmentand/or business development

Experience in supporting civil society,preferably in Lao

Ability to develop, and follow through HR,administrative, logistical and financial systemswith staff

Financial management skills, proven ability todevelop and manage budgets, and maintaingood financial control

Proven ability at writing donor proposals andreports

Demonstrated communication, leadership andinfluencing skills

Demonstrated capacity to develop and promoteshared values, a common perspective, respectand trust

Ability to enhance staff capacity and coachstaff in cross-cultural context

About YouSkills

Comparable knowledge,experience & skills to the

above are also welcomed andaccepted

You’ll need...Positive attitude and ability to engender support

Flexibility and adaptability, with calmness in the face of changing circumstances

Knowledge of and sensitivity to Lao culture

Patience and persistence to develop relationships with a range of stakeholders

Commitment to reflection and personal/professional learning

Willingness actively to support an active engaged civil society

Commitment to Cord’s mission and values

Willingness to undertake travel within Laos as well as occasional international travel

Interested?To apply please send an application form to hr@cord.org.uk

Recruitment TimelineApplications will be reviewed on anongoing basis and interviews will beorganised according to availability

As such, the application window mayclose prior to the date below if a suitablecandidate is appointed

The application deadline is:Sunday 23rd August 2020 – 23:59 GMT

Next Steps