Environment Officer

NORWEGIAN PEOPLE’S AID
Notice of Recruitment – Lao National Staff

Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) is a Norwegian humanitarian organisation supporting mine action and disarmament, capacity building, and development in many countries around the world. NPA has been engaged in the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Lao PDR since 1997. NPA is currently conducting UXO survey and clearance across four provinces in southern Lao PDR, including Champasak, Saravane, Sekong, and Attapeu. NPA has the main offices in Vientiane and Pakse, and satellite offices in Saravane, Sekong, and Attapeu.

NPA’s Lao PDR programme is now seeking a qualified, enthusiastic, experienced, and well-motivated person for the following position:

Environment Officer: 01 Position – based in Pakse, with regular travels to NPA’s areas of operations in four southern provinces and Vientiane Office

The Environment Officer supports the Environment Coordinator in implementing NPA’s global environmental and climate change policies, reducing the programme’s environmental impact, and promoting environmental protection and awareness.

Duties and Responsibilities:
General responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the Environment Coordinator, the Environment Officer delivers annual trainings on environmental awareness and protection for NPA Laos staff. The Environment Officer is also expected to travel frequently to NPA’s operations in Southern Laos to coordinate the implementation of the green field operations monitoring tool and assess the environmental footprint of field and office operations.

Specific duties
• Implement NPA’s environmental policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Lao PDR environmental laws and regulations and international best practices.
• Translate NPA policies, monitoring tools, and environment-related guidelines into Lao language.
• Deliver annual environmental awareness and protection trainings to raise awareness in NPA staff.
• Assist the Environment Coordinator in overseeing waste management, recycling, and composting systems at NPA’s office and field locations.
• Support the Environment Coordinator in monitoring and measuring NPA’s environmental performance and reporting on progress.
• Provide guidance and support to operations teams on environmental issues.
• Work with stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and local communities to promote environmental protection and sustainability as tasked by the Environment Coordinator or DPM.
• Represent NPA Lao PDR at relevant meetings and external functions, if required, and as directed by the Environment Coordinator or DPM.
• Identify new opportunities for continuous improvement in environmental management.
• Provide translation and interpretation services as tasked by the Environment Coordinator or DPM.
• Travel to NPA’s operations sites to photograph and collect information as tasked by the Environment Coordinator.
• Assist other members of the Programme Coordination (PC) Department in organizing trainings, events, and activities when needed.
• Perform any other duties as instructed by the Environment Coordinator or DPM.

Required qualifications:

Must have:
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, climate change or natural resource management.
• Strong knowledge of environmental laws and regulations in Lao PDR.
• Experience developing and implementing environmental policies and programmes.
• Proven ability to design and deliver trainings and workshops.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to travel regularly between Pakse and NPA’s areas of operations in southern Lao PDR, including remote and rural areas, and Vientiane as required.
• Excellent written and verbal proficiency in English and Lao languages (both written and spoken).

Desirable:
• Previous experience working for an international non-government organisation is an advantage.
• Previous work experience of 1-3+ years on environmental protection related issues.
• Knowledge of international best practices, laws, and standards related to environment, climate change, and disaster risk reduction.
• Knowledge of or experience with carbon accounting.

Personal Competencies:
• Passionate about environment and climate change-related issues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Dedicated and committed to high quality standards.
• Willingness to travel frequently and engage with a diverse group of people, including in rural and remote areas of Lao PDR.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels internally and externally.
• Ability to meet deadlines and attention to detail.