Project and Communications Officer

1. People in Need

People in Need (PIN) is a Czech non-profit, non-governmental organization that has been implementing relief and development projects in crisis regions around the globe over its twenty-year history. PIN is an international, non-profit organization providing humanitarian and development assistance in over 20 countries worldwide. PIN draws on extensive past experiences and lessons learned across development, emergency and post emergency contexts to design, implement and monitor quality programming.

Since 2013, People in Need (PIN) has been involved in disaster risk management activities, particularly in Cambodia with the development of the Early Warning System EWS1294. In 2023, PIN started to provide technical support to disaster management organizations (DMOs) in Laos to improve their current early warning dissemination capacities and explore innovative approaches to transboundary risk communication, shared data management, and cooperation. This project developed formative research and piloted an early warning system in three provinces of Southern Laos (Champasak, Attapeu, and Saravane provinces). In August 2024, the next phase of the EWS national scale-up was launched covering in total 9 provinces.

Position: Project and Communications Officer

Line Manager: Line-managed by the EWS Project Manager for all project-related tasks and will report to the Head of Programmes on matters related to project communications and visibility.

Location: Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

Schedule: Full time position

Duration: 12 months with possibility of extensions

Starting date: Tentatively on August 1st, 2025

Salary: 722 USD to 777 USD (based on experience and skills – gross salary)

2. About the position

The Project and Communications Officer (PCO) will support the implementation of the Early Warning Systems (EWS) project under the Laos Programme, contributing to effective delivery of project activities across nine target provinces. Reporting to the EWS Project Manager, the PCO will be responsible for coordinating and monitoring field-level implementation, ensuring that activities are carried out in line with the project workplan, donor requirements, and organizational standards. The PCO will play a key role in engaging with sub-national authorities, especially at the provincial level (PoNREs), and will support project partners, consultants, facilitators, and enumerators during training, awareness campaigns, assessments, and simulation exercises.

The PCO will ensure proper documentation of activities, including collecting attendance sheets, minutes, and high-quality photos and videos from the field. S/he will contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the project, regularly gathering data and providing field updates to the Project Manager and MEAL team. A core part of the PO’s responsibilities will be supporting project communications and visibility. S/he will assist in preparing content for social media and donor updates, including drafting Facebook posts, collecting human-interest stories, and producing photo and video materials. The PCO will collaborate with the communications team at PIN HQ, organize outreach campaigns, and promote project milestones through local platforms and media.

Based in Vientiane, the PCO is expected to frequently travel to the field across Champasak, Attapeu, Sekong, Savannakhet, Khammuane, Saravane, Borikhamxay, Luangprabang, and Xayabuli provinces. The role demands strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and a commitment to supporting disaster risk reduction and community resilience in remote and diverse contexts.

Main responsibilities:

EWS Project Support:

• Assist in ensuring the quality and timely implementation of assigned project activities in accordance with relevant standards, internal procedures, and donor requirements, under the guidance of the EWS Project Manager.
• Support the planning, coordination, and implementation of field-level and capacity-building activities in close collaboration with local authorities, community stakeholders, and partners.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor activity implementation, gather data, coordinate logistics, and ensure that outputs are delivered as planned and documented appropriately.
• Maintain regular communication and working relationships with sub-national authorities and local stakeholders, including PoNREs and district-level counterparts, to support effective coordination and information-sharing.
• Represent PIN at the local level during meetings, workshops, and events with government and civil society actors, promoting good collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Support efforts to strengthen local partnerships by facilitating dialogue, gathering feedback, and helping adapt activities to better respond to community needs and local dynamics.
• Provide regular updates to the Project Manager on the status of field activities, challenges encountered, and feedback from stakeholders, including preparation of short field reports and documentation.
• Actively participate in internal coordination meetings with the project team and relevant support departments (e.g., logistics, MEAL, communications), contributing to planning, troubleshooting, and team learning.
• Assist in updating project monitoring tools and trackers, including the monthly work plan and progress reports, ensuring timely and accurate documentation of project progress.

Communications:

• Support the preparation of communication materials, including drafting Facebook posts, collecting photos and quotes from the field, and assisting in the creation of human-interest stories that highlight project impact.
• Coordinate with the communications team at PIN HQ to ensure that project content aligns with organizational branding and donor visibility requirements.
• Capture and organize high-quality visual content (photos and short videos) during field activities for use in social media, donor reports, and IEC materials.
• Assist in planning and delivering community outreach and awareness campaigns, ensuring the inclusion of locally appropriate messages and communication channels.
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, such as posters, banners, and radio scripts, in coordination with project and communications teams.
• Help track and document key project milestones, events, and success stories to be featured on PIN Laos’s digital platforms and donor updates.
• Liaise with local media or community-based platforms, as needed, to promote project visibility at the provincial and district levels.

Finance Management and Administration:

• Coordinate with the Finance and Operations teams to support accurate and timely processing of project-related expenses, ensuring compliance with internal procedures and donor requirements.
• Ensure proper collection, completion, and submission of financial documentation from the field, including invoices, receipts, and activity-related supporting documents.
• Contribute to monthly financial planning by providing input on anticipated field expenditures and logistical needs, as requested by the Project Manager.
• Assist in preparing financial forecasts and activity budgets for planned fieldwork and events, ensuring alignment with the approved budget and workplan.
• Support the Project Manager and Finance team during budget revision processes by providing relevant field-level data and documentation.

Accountability and Safeguarding including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH)

• Carry out the duties in accordance with the PIN Code of Conduct and Key policies
• Participate in training and awareness raising (CoC and KP, Safeguarding…)
• Create and maintain a fulfilling and protective environment.
• Ensure that her/his team members attend training and awareness sessions and carry out the duties in accordance with PIN Code of Conduct and Key policies.
• Ensure strict application of media policy, including consent form for use of photos and
  testimonials of beneficiaries and community members, data protection/secure storage
• Ensure that safeguarding is taken into account in the proposal development, report, etc
• Support the operation manager in the implementation of Safeguarding measures.
• Provide trainings and awareness sessions on Safeguarding, CoC and Key policies to partner organizations/beneficiaries, when necessary.
• Monitor the implementation of Safeguarding measures (e.g awareness session for affected population, training for staff, CFRM etc).      

Others

• Fulfils any other tasks as required and or assigned by line manager.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of CFRM activities in project areas, ensuring that community feedback is collected, documented, and referred appropriately in line with PIN’s CFRM guidelines.
• Promote awareness of CFRM among project stakeholders and communities, contributing to a culture of accountability and transparency.
• Coordinate with relevant team members to ensure timely follow-up and response to feedback and complaints, and contribute to regular CFRM reporting and learning.
• Support in the development of project proposals.
• And fulfils any other tasks as required.

 Qualifications required:

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Competencies:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, development studies, public administration, or another relevant field.
• Lao language: Native speaker level; English: Strong written and verbal communication skills (minimum B2 level or equivalent).
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in a similar position (e.g. project support, communications, administration).
• Experience working in the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) sector is a strong advantage
• Proven experience managing and creating content for organizational social media accounts (e.g. Facebook, Instagram).
• team work, good communications skills.
• Ability to draft engaging and informative communication materials in both Lao and English.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively with team members and external stakeholders.
• ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines
• Willingness to learn and take responsibilities beyond specific TOR.

BENEFITS and EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:

• Start salary of between 722 USD to 777 USD as per PIN’s salary scale.
• 18 days of annual leave per year.
• Insurance (Hospital & Surgical, Accident, NSSO).
• Extensive Capacity Building program, both internal and external trainings – Induction training, internal online opportunities, such as access to e-learning platform and live webinars.
• Monthly Phone Card Allowance.
• A friendly and good working environment.