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Position title:  Plastics City Coordinator – GEF Project Management Unit (PMU)

Reports to: Project Manager – Project Management Unit (PMU)

Department: Strategic Partnerships

Location: Vientiane, PMU – within the Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment with regular travels to Provinces.

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.

WWF has a vision of an economy and a society that has zero tolerance for plastic pollution and all harm caused to the environment from such pollution. As part of this vision, WWF has launched the global initiative “No Plastic in Nature” (NPIN), aiming to address the plastic problem through a holistic approach that looks at reducing the amount of new plastic produced, increasing the reuse of plastic already in circulation, and eliminating leakage of plastic waste into nature, especially single use plastics.

WWF-Laos is currently engaged in supporting three key urban areas: Vientiane Capital, Vang Vieng District, and Luang Prabang with a focus on implementing circular solutions that consider both upstream and downstream aspects of plastic waste to achieve sustainability, efficiency and scalability. Most importantly, WWF practices inclusive conservation which ensures participation of minority groups and a strong focus on gender equality.

2. Major Functions:

The City Plastics Pilot Coordinator, Vientiane – as part of the Plastics and Partnership team will support and drive the implementation of activities within the Plastics programme.

Major Responsibility

• The City Coordinator will support the Project Manager and coordinate activities across the three cities
• Day-to-day management, monitoring and evaluation of project activities and results as outlined in the Proposal Document, Grant Agreement, and Annual Work Plan and Budget to achieve the project objective and targets in the Results Framework
• Attend monthly meetings with the partners involved in each component
• Support the Project Manager in developing the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) for each project year
• Support the Project Manager in overseeing the progress of the AWPB
• Support the planning and organisation for reflection workshop to identify lessons learned and propose potential changes for adaptive management to ensure project results and indicator targets are reached
• Support the Project manager in project-level workshops/meetings
• Coordinate with other relevant stakeholders in the city on project components, as required
• Represent the Project and provide support for project supervision and internal and external reviews/evaluations
• Provide city-level information for semi-annual Project Progress Reports
• Provide relevant data to the Project Manager for the monitoring plan
• Ensure smooth coordination and communication among all stakeholders in the city
• Manage stakeholder engagement throughout the project duration
• Represent the Project, as needed, at various meetings and workshops

Generally

Stakeholder Engagement: Establish and nurture strong working relationships with relevant stakeholders. This includes collaborating with government bodies, local communities, private sector and other organizations involved in plastics and waste management.

• Coordination and Leadership: Actively leading coordination efforts, ensures seamless communication and alignment among various project components. They facilitate teamwork and synergy to achieve program goals effectively.
• Monitoring and Problem-Solving: The City Coordinator monitors progress, identifies bottlenecks, and proactively addresses challenges. By analyzing data and feedback, they contribute to continuous improvement and adaptive management.
• Project Management: The City Coordinator is committed to meeting deadlines, managing budgets and achieving set targets. They oversee task execution, track milestones, and ensure that workplans are executed efficiently
• Support the day-to-day management and deployment of the project activities to ensure minimal issues.
• Lead discussions with government partners, document meeting minutes and prepare necessary reports. Including representing WWF-Laos at government stakeholder meetings.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of project progress reports to donors, project team and stakeholders
• Support the Country office with developing and strengthening effective partnerships with key businesses and government stakeholders related to plastics and waste management.
• Provide input into project proposals in the Plastics and Waste Management sector.
• Monitor and analyse government decrees, legislation and projects that may impact WWF-Laos conservation work.
• Provide ad-hoc interpretation and document translation
• Review and provide input into communication products and campaigns
• Periodically be on staff recruitment and procurement assessment panels
• Office in charge as focal point for Luang Prabang Office
• Other tasks assigned by line managers as appropriate.

3. Requirements Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor’s degree or higher in fields related to environmental engineering, Environment, Solid waste management/treatment, Project Management, Business Administration or equivalent work experience in similar field.
• Experience in plastics and/or solid waste management and treatment will be an advantage

4. Required Skills and Competencies

• At least 5 years of practical experience in areas related to the above-mentioned areas.
• Experience in managing similar, complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• Experience in delivering technical and financial reporting
• Can-do attitude and result-oriented communication mind-set
• Organizing/planning and problem-solving skills
• Ability to learn fast and adapt to different working environments. Ability to work under limited supervision and take initiative through a problem-solving approach
• Experience in facilitating project implementation in a multi-stakeholder setting.
• Understanding of government procedures and processes and ability to navigate to minimise delays.
• Proven ability to liaise with Government counterparts on behalf of the organization; local knowledge of the city desirable
• Strong and confident negotiation skills
• Willing to learn and continue to learn; Willingness to understand conservation issues and contribute with new ideas and strategies.
• Fluent Lao language skills and Professional working level English

5. Working Relationships:

• Internal – WWF Laos: Interact on a regular basis with the Conservation team namely Programme Leads, Site Coordinators and Operational Department. WWF offices within the network.
• External – Interact with all relevant stakeholders at the community, district, and provincial level of provinces in the project site. Additionally, support the Project Manager to liaise with donors, central government partners and other iNGOs.

6. WWF’s Values and Behaviors:

• Adhere to WWF’s values: Courage, Respect, Collaboration and Integrity.
• Demonstrates WWF core value in action of working:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • We honour the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

7. 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.

8. 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: City Plastics Pilot Coordinator, WWF-Laos_CV_Khamkeo Santiphab, City Plastics Pilot Coordinator, WWF-Laos_Cover letter Khamkeo Santiphab)

9. Deadline for applications: 29 January 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