HALO
The HALO Trust

Mission Statement
Our mission is to protect lives and restore the livelihoods of those affected by conflict.For over thirty years, we’ve been saving lives and helping war-torn communities recover, by making their land safe.When conflict ends, land is all too often littered with landmines and other dangerous explosives. Families live in fear and poverty. They can’t plant crops or graze cattle and day-to-day activities like getting to school and fetching water are fraught with risk. True peace doesn’t come until their land is safe.We do this by recruiting and training local men and women to clear landmines in their own communities. With their earnings, they can rebuild their lives. Some buy livestock, others plant crops or even start a business. They are once again in control of their own destiny.We are proud that 98% of our 8,600 employees globally come from the communities we serve.
Program Description
Laos is the ‘most bombed country’ in the world per capita, as a result of heavy aerial attacks in the 60s and 70s during the Vietnam War. Although Laos People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) is committed to removing the bombs, the scale of the problem continues to put lives at risk.Around 20,000 people—40 per cent of them children—have been killed or injured by cluster bombs or other unexploded items in Laos since the war ended.Our work is focused in Savannaket Province, where 70 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line. Most families are almost entirely dependent on growing rice, but unexploded bombs make cultivating rice potentially life threatening.With thanks to the support of the U.S. Department of State and the UK Government, our team of over 660 people (99 per cent local staff) destroy an average of 1,170 unexploded bombs each month. For more news and information, please visit our programme page:
https://www.halotrust.org/where-we-work/south-asia/laos/
Contact Details
Contact Person:
William HunterProgramme Manager:
William HunterAddress:
Route 9, Huoy Cheng Khao, Sepon, Savannakhet District, Lao PDRGeneral Info
Number of Staff
500+
In Lao PDR Since
2012
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Main Programs
Full-Stack Developer
Start: 17/07/2025 - End: 31/07/2025
Overview
The HALO Trust is an international landmine and UXO clearance charity. We work in Lao PDR conducting survey and clearance of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), employing over 1,400 staff based in Sepon, Savannakhet Province, with a small administrative office in Vientiane.
The HALO Trust team in Sepon works a monthly cycle, with an average of 22-23 days worked at the start of the month, with the remainder of the month as ‘standdown’ (rest days). HALO works a short cycle during April with an extended break for public holidays. More information on us can be found here www.halotrust.org
Purpose of Role
The Full Stack Developer will play a pivotal role in the design, development, and maintenance of both the front-end and back-end components of our web applications. This role will be responsible for creating efficient server-side logic, optimizing database interactions, and developing seamless APIs, with a strong focus on performance, scalability, and security. This position requires advanced expertise in Laravel and PostgreSQL, as well as the ability to deliver high-quality, user-centric solutions that meet business objectives.
Responsibilities
Design, develop, test, and deploy scalable, secure, and high-performance backend applications using Laravel.
Design and optimize efficient database schemas and queries for PostgreSQL.
Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code, adhering to best practices and coding standards.
Integrate third-party APIs and external services as required to enhance application functionality.
Work closely with frontend developers to define and build effective APIs and ensure seamless integration.
Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and best practices.
Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve production issues, ensuring minimal disruption to users.
Contribute to the entire software development lifecycle, from conception to deployment and maintenance.
Ensuring the codebase is upgraded to ensure our systems are as secure and performant has possible.
Stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies.
Qualifications & Skills
Minimum bachelor’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
Minimum 3-5 years of experience in backend development with Laravel or similar MVC OOP PHP framework
Proven experience as a Full Stack Developer, specifically with the Laravel framework.
Experience in designing PostgreSQL schemas, writing complex queries, and optimizing databases.
Hands-on experience with RESTful API development and integration.
Proven experience working in Agile/Scrum environments.
Demonstrated experience in deploying applications using CI/CD pipelines.
Proven experience as a Frontend Developer.
Knowledge, Skills and Competency
Knowledge of designing schemas, writing complex queries, and optimization.
Knowledge of application security best practices for building secure applications.
Basic knowledge of popular frontend frameworks (e.g., Tailwind, React, Vue.js, Angular).
Knowledge of Agile development processes, including Scrum and Kanban.
Familiarity with containerization technologies like Docker.
Proficiency in HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Bootstrap, and server-side rendering with Blade templates.
Familiarity with Git, version control workflows, and CI/CD pipelines.
Ability to write unit tests and implement test-driven development (TDD).
Experience deploying applications on cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Digital Ocean.
Knowledge of Docker and containerization.
Strong understanding of relational database design and optimization.
Solid understanding of RESTful API design principles.
Familiarity with Agile/Scrum development methodologies (Scrum/Kanban).
Understanding of application security best practices.
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Familiarity with frontend frameworks such as Tailwind, React, Vue.js, or Angular.
Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Good communication skills in English and Lao.
Preference
Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
This position is open exclusively to Lao nationals only.
Previous experience with local or international NGOs or community-based work is plus.
Working Conditions
The HALO Trust team in Sepon works a monthly cycle, with an average of 22-23 days worked at the start of the month, with the remainder of the month as ‘standdown’ (rest days). HALO works a short cycle during April with an extended break for public holidays.
Safeguarding
Ensure that you will not exchange money, offers of employment, employment, goods or services for sex or sexual favours, nor any other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour.
General Statement
The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
The HALO Trust is committed to a culture that is both diverse and inclusive and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.
How to apply
Please send your update CV and Cover Letter expressing your interest and expected salary in the role to hr@halolaos.org
The application deadline is July 31, 2025. Due to a high volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.