National Project Coordinator – GEF

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Position title:  National Project Coordinator – GEF, WWF-Laos

Reports to: Conservation Director, WWF-Laos

Department: Conservation

Location: Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

1. Background

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has supported conservation in Laos since the late 1980s, initially contributing to biodiversity surveys that helped establish the country’s protected area system. Formally established in 2001, WWF-Laos operates from its head office in Vientiane Capital, with field offices in Savannakhet, Champasak, Salavan, and Xekong. We work closely with government, civil society, and the private sector to address biodiversity loss and promote sustainable, nature-based development.

Our vision is a future where Lao PDR’s unique biodiversity, ecosystems, and cultural heritage are protected and enhanced, contributing to national well-being and regional sustainability. Conservation is at the heart of what we do, delivered through three main practice areas: Forests, Wildlife, and Freshwater.

Under the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, WWF-Laos is scaling conservation impact across three priority landscapes, with a focus on forest and species recovery, freshwater ecosystem protection, and reducing plastic pollution in key urban areas. We integrate cross-cutting themes such as climate resilience, gender and social inclusion, sustainable agriculture, and local capacity-building to ensure lasting results. Find out more from www.wwf.org.la.

As Laos transitions from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, WWF-Laos remains a key technical partner, helping to align national conservation goals with practical, field-based solutions.

2. Major Functions:

The National Project Coordinator (NPC) will have responsibility in ensuring timely delivery and quality of work programmes, adhering to work plans and activity budgets, and coordinating all project components. He/she will oversee and help provide guidance in implementing activities in the six target districts in Sayaboury Province and ensure alignment with other relevant projects in the country.

The NPC is responsible for the coordination of day-to-day project planning, implementation, monitoring and overall management. The NPC will be under the overall guidance of the Conservation Director of WWF-Laos, and will oversee technical consultants aiding in project delivery and advisory support. He/She will coordinate closely with government counterparts and other stakeholders in the execution of the Project, and will coordinate communication and learning with other projects in Laos

3. Major Responsibilities

The NPC will carry out the tasks below, that include, but are not limited to:

1. Project Planning and Coordination

• Lead and coordinate the formulation, periodic review, and updating of the Annual Work Plan (AWP), budget, and procurement plans in collaboration with WWF-Laos, DWR, and project stakeholders
• Supervise consultants (international or domestic) hired to support specific technical advisory needs related to, e.g., nature-based solutions, flood management, watershed monitoring, and early warning systems.
• Develop and maintain the overall implementation schedule and ensure timely and efficient delivery of project milestones.
• Coordinate the development of detailed implementation plans for all components and activities, ensuring coherence and alignment with project objectives and the Results Framework. Serve as the key point of coordination between WWF, government partners (especially DWR), and implementing partners (IPs) to ensure consistent project execution.

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2. Project Implementation and Supervision

• Mobilize goods and services in support of project activities, including developing TORs, managing procurement processes, and contract administration.
• Oversee and coordinate day-to-day functioning of the PMU, ensuring effective and efficient delivery of all activities according to the approved workplans.
• Manage human and financial resources, in consultation with DWR and WWF Laos, ensuring clarity of roles, efficient teamwork, and delivery of assigned tasks to achieve results in line with the outputs and activities outlined in the project document.
• Ensure that the implementation aligns with WWF and donor (GEF) operational policies, financial standards, procurement regulations, and administrative guidelines.
• Mobilize goods and services to initiative activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications.

3. Monitoring and Reporting

• Ensure regular tracking of project implementation progress using standardized monitoring tools and indicators.
• Organize internal review meetings, field missions, and steering committee meetings, ensuring decisions and follow-up actions are well documented and executed.Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified, submit new risks to the Project Board and WWF GEF Agency for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the Project Risks Log;
• Be responsible for managing issues and requests for change by maintaining an Issues Log in close coordination with the ESS staff and WWF GEF Agency;
• Oversee preparation of high-quality Project Progress Reports (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) and submit the reports to the Project Board and Project Assurance;
• Oversee the preparation of the AWP for the following year, as well as Quarterly Plans if required, together with corresponding budget plans with clearly stated milestones contributing to the achievement of target outcomes and outputs defined in the project document and final approval, including workload management and performance assessment under the project framework;

4. Financial and Administrative Oversight

• Work closely with the Finance Coordinator to manage project budget execution, audit preparation, ensure accuracy in expenditure reporting, and align financial flows with project timelines.
• Support the timely preparation of financial reports and reconciliation in compliance with WWF financial protocols.
• Coordinate with relevant WWF departments for timely disbursement and monitoring of funds, particularly for advance requests and partner settlements.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• Represent the project in coordination meetings, donor consultations, and inter-agency working groups to foster collaboration and align with national development goals.
• Manage relationships with national, provincial, and district-level authorities and project stakeholders including donors, NGOs, government agencies, and others as required, to ensure ownership and smooth implementation.
• Link up project activities with related and parallel activities both within MONRE and with external implementing partner agencies; Support the establishment of partnerships with implementing partners, civil society organizations, and community-based stakeholders.

6. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing

• With support of technical consultant(s), facilitate training, workshops, and peer-learning exchanges to enhance capacity of project staff, implementing partners, and government counterparts in areas such as integrated water resources management and M&E.
• Promote information exchange and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices from project implementation.
• Support the development of knowledge products and communication materials showcasing project achievements, in coordination with WWF communications staff.

7. Governance and Institutional Support

• Provide secretariat support to the Project Steering Committee (PSC), including preparation of meeting materials, minutes, and implementation of PSC decisions.
• Support WWF and DWR in policy dialogue and advocacy related to integrated river basin management and climate-resilient development, while deferring technical leadership on such content to the Technical Advisor.

8. Other Duties

• Ensure Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) considerations are fully integrated into all project planning, implementation, and reporting processes.
• Perform other project-related duties as assigned by the WWF Country Office, GEF Agency, or Project Director, provided these duties are operational in nature and do not conflict with the technical remit of the Technical Advisor.
• Represent the project at national and international technical meetings, workshops, and conferences as needed

4. Requirements Qualifications

• Masters in natural resources management, environment and sustainable development and related fields.

5. Required Skills and Competencies

• At least 10 years working experience in project implementation/management of projects within the disciplines of environmental science, ecosystem based adaptation, integrated water resources management, natural resource management or other related field.
• Experience with results based management and planning, gender inclusion and/or similar specializations relevant to GEF projects.
• Experience in project design, activity/budget planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Excellent inter-personal, communication and negotiating skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel within and possibly outside Lao PDR.
• Proven track record of project management and project team experience working with government, NGOs, and other key stakeholders in Lao PDR.
• Ability to lead a team and to work in the team effectively.
• Good working knowledge of written and spoken English and Lao.
• Excellent coordination skills, with ability to work under pressure and handle multiple activities and projects concurrently.
• Demonstrable skills in office computer use – word processing, spread sheets etc.
• Knowledge of WWF and the GEF LDCF project management system an advantage.

6. Working Relationships:

• Internal: Interact on a regular basis with the Conservation Director and Country Director, Practice Coordinators, Project Managers, and Regional Technical Advisors. Engage with and support all WWF-Laos staff.
  • External – Interact with all relevant stakeholders at the community, district, and provincial level. Interact with donors, central government partners, and NGOs on an ad-hoc basis.

7. WWF’s Values and Behaviors:

• Adhere to WWF’s values: Courage, Respect, Collaboration and Integrity.
• Demonstrates WWF core value in action of working:

O    We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.

O    We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.

O    We honour the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.

O    We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

8. Contract Duration: WWF-Laos can offer you 1-year initial with possible extension with industry leading benefit and salary package and ample opportunity for professional development. For more information on our work in Laos, please visit: http://www.wwf.org.la.

9. How to Apply:

Step 1 – Please complete the application form by clicking this link: Application for Employment, WWF-Laos – Fill out form. Ensure you answer all questions in the system until you click on the submit button.

Step 2 – Submit your CV and Cover letter in English in PDF format to e-mail: jobs.laos@wwf.org.la and mention the position you apply.

Suggest to name the file of your CV and Cover letter with example below.

(example: National Project Coordinator_CV_Khamkeo Santiphab, National Project Coordinator_Cover letter Khamkeo Santiphab)

10. Deadline for applications: 09 March 2026. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

WWF does not charge or accept a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. WWF is committed to a fair, respectful, and inclusive work environment where every individual has equal opportunity to apply.  Please indicate if you require accommodation for the application or interview process to jobs.laos@wwf.org.la