Project Assistant, Climate Change Adaptation

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Assistant will play a vital role in providing administrative and logistical support to the Climate Unit, specifically the GCF-funded mainstreaming climate adaptation into sectoral plans project. Key responsibilities include supporting day-to-day administration and operations related tasks, facilitating high-quality operational functions, and ensuring effective coordination and administrative services. Specific duties encompass preparing project-related documents, supporting budget and procurement processes, and organizing event logistics. This position will engage with the GGGI project team and Project Management Unit in the Department of Climate Change, MoNRE. He/she works under a direct supervision of the Resilience Associate and reports to the Senior Officer, Climate and Carbon who oversee the project’s climate adaptation activities and Unit’s operations on a regular basis.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this role is to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the climate adaptation project by providing essential administrative and logistical support. The Project Assistant contributes to the successful delivery of the project by enabling effective coordination between project stakeholders, maintaining operational efficiency, and supporting the project’s overall objectives in mainstreaming climate adaptation.

ENGAGEMENT

• Coordinate administrative and operational tasks related to the climate adaptation activities of the 'Support for Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation into Sectoral Planning in Lao PDR' project on a day-to-day basis, under the direct supervision of the Resilience Associate and Senior Officer - Climate Unit.
• Collaborate with other units and divisions at GGGI, especially the GGGI Lao PDR Operations Enabling Unit, to ensure operational compliance, engage in case-by-case problem solving and share lessons learned related to project delivery.
• Utilize and comply with GGGI’s internal systems and procedures, including information management, accounting and book-keeping, enterprise resource planning, budgeting, procurement, and internal approval processes.
• Maintain a good working relationship and share relevant information with stakeholders, particularly government counterparts at an administrative level.
• Support human resources requests and onboarding procedures for the Climate Unit.

DELIVERY

• Prepare activity budgets, including for events and local field travel, and manage associated administrative activities including preparation of receipts and event reports related to the delivery of activities under the aforementioned project.
• Prepare participant lists, track participation and provide outreach support for active participation from key stakeholders.
• Undertake desk and field research as needed to complement project activities, including collection of data from online sources, government counterparts and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate the delivery of events in the field, including trainings, meetings and community engagements and prepare event and meeting minutes.
• Support the ongoing monitoring of project activities and reporting activities as needed.
• Assisting in English-Lao-English translation both verbal and document-based, if required.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of bachelor’s degree in environmental management, international relations, development economics, law, commerce, business management, forestry, agriculture, urban planning or other related environmental subjects.
• Experience in the provision of administrative services in any field, and either private or public sector, will be an advantage.
• Preferably at least 2 years of professional working experience.
• Experience in data gathering and conducting research will be an advantage.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented individual with good organizational skills.
• Excellent computer skills with experience in Microsoft Office and active usage of various social media.
• Excellent communication in English and Lao
• Proven analytical and report-writing skills are an advantage.

FUNCTIONAL

• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with GGGI partner institutions such as MoNRE and other sectoral ministries under the project.
• Ability to work in an organized, systematic manner, with a degree of innovation and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to write concise and clear reports and meeting minutes and to file them effectively and develop and maintain the GGGI database accordingly.
• Ability to perform well in a fast-paced atmosphere and self-motivated to produce quality results in timely manner.
• Ability to be prompt, punctual, polite and at all times professional.
• Ability to communicate well with all stakeholders.

CORPORATE

• Understands and actively supports GGGI's mission, vision and values.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement, client relationship, communication, teamwork, and consensus building.
• Process and share information easily and excellent at problem solving.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport and resolve conflict easily.
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.
• Work effectively with other teams of a high degree of cultural and professional diversity.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Project Assistant is an X4 grade level in GGGI salary scale (national scale). Determination of base salary is subject to candidate's experience, academic background and internal equity. GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision.

GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The GGGI Lao PDR program has been expanding across key areas of climate and sustainability, including solid waste management, sanitation, climate adaptation and mitigation such as carbon markets and methane reduction technology, energy, and green finance. GGGI has been collaborating with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) to implement a GCF funded project on mainstreaming climate adaptation into sectoral policy formulations in three sectors including agriculture and forestry, urban development and water resources. This initiative aims to enhance climate resilience in Lao PDR and contribute to achieving the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) objectives and targets. To further strengthen the operation of the Climate Unit, GGGI Lao PDR is seeking a qualified Project Assistant to support climate adaptation project efforts in collaboration with the Green Climate Fund.