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

Reports to: Conservation Director, WWF-Laos

Department: Circular Resilience

Location: Vientiane, Project Management Unit – Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

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.

Under the Global Environment Facility’s GEF-8 Integrated Program – Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution, the Government of Lao PDR, in collaboration with WWF-Laos, is implementing a 5-year project titled “Promoting Circular Solutions to Single-Use Plastic Consumption in Lao PDR.” The project focuses on reducing the use of problematic single-use plastic food and beverage packaging and promoting the adoption of sustainable alternatives. It targets three key urban areas: Vientiane Capital, Vang Vieng District, and Luang Prabang, through inclusive, upstream and midstream approaches involving policymakers, private sector actors, consumers, and local communities.

The project aims to support Lao PDR in transitioning towards a circular economy by influencing policy, enhancing market availability of alternatives, and fostering behavioral change, while ensuring gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) and environmental safeguards.

The co-executing agency and project lead will be WWF-Laos and the Department of Environment (DoE), with oversight from the GEF Operational Focal Point Laos from the Department of Planning and Cooperation (DPC) within the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE). The Project Manager will lead the Project Management Unit (PMU), drive and oversee day-to-day implementation, supervise PMU staff, and coordinate with project partners, technical advisors, and consultants. The position will be based within the Department of Environment and line managed by WWF-Laos, with technical oversight from the MAE and GEF Agency.

2. Major Functions:

The Project Manager will lead the Project Management Unit (PMU), overseeing the day-to-day implementation, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of a multi-stakeholder environmental project. This role involves direct coordination with international partners and ensures alignment with the project’s Results Framework, Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB), and donor requirements, while managing a team of staff and consultants.

3. Major Responsibility

Project Management:

• 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
• Hold monthly meetings with the partners involved in each component
• Manage the workflow for the National Project Steering Committee (NPSC)
• In collaboration with all projects sub-grantees and partners, develop the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) for each project year, for approval by the project steering committee and no-objection from the WWF GEF Agency
• Provide high-level oversight and monitoring of procurement and expenditure in line with the AWPB
• Review the progress of the AWPB and monitoring plan
• Lead planning and organization of reflection workshop to identify lessons learned and propose potential changes for adaptive management to ensure project results and indicator targets are reached
• Responsible for organization of the Kick-Off workshop (inception) and other project-level workshops/meetings
• Manage the design of a project webpages/social media and its ongoing maintenance and updates
• Represent the Project and provide support for project supervision and internal and external reviews/evaluations

Staff management:

• Direct supervision of PMU staff and supporting partners and consultants
• Prepare TORs to recruit consultants, staff and sub-contracts in consultation with and for no-objection from WWF GEF Agency

Reporting:

• Formulate semi-annual Project Progress Reports and ensure timely delivery to the WWF GEF Agency, and ad hoc reporting as required under the project.
• Oversee the preparation and disbursement of sub-grants
• Oversee development of quarterly financial reports and ensure timely delivery to the WWF GEF Agency
• Ensure co-finance reporting on a yearly basis

Quality Assurance:

• Provide quality assurance for project activities, including in sub-grants
• Review reports and other products from consultants, staff, and sub-grantees, and ensure quality
• Ensure implementation in line with the GEF and WWF standards and policies

Partnerships:

• Coordinate with co-financed projects and liaise with project partners to ensure co-financing commitments are realized
• Attract additional partners and co-financing
• Ensure smooth coordination and communication among all project partners, and with the program partners
• Manage stakeholder engagement throughout the project duration
• Represent the Project, as needed, at various meetings and workshops

4. Requirements Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Project and/or Program management, Business Administration Environmental or Natural Resource management, or equivalent work experience in relevant fields.

5. Required Skills and Competencies

• At least 10 years in project or programme management, of which at least 5 should be in the field of conservation, environmental management or social development.
• Experience in managing similar, complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• Experience in leading a team of staff and coordinating sub-grant partners
• Ability to interact with all levels of government and stakeholders of the project
• Adaptive management skills
• Knowledge of WWF Project and Program Management Standards preferred
• Experience in delivering technical and financial reporting to donor agencies on large projects
• Technical experience and knowledge in the thematic area of the Project
• Experience with GEF Projects and GEF knowledge an advantage
• Experience of working in Lao PDR is desirable
• Understanding of socio-economic, conservation and development issues in Laos.
• Understanding of Laos government procedures and processes. Proven ability to liaise with Government counterparts on behalf of the organization.
• Demonstrated Business Development experience and confidence networking within the private and public sector
• Ability to learn fast and adapt to different working environments.
• Excellent English language reading, writing and speaking skills.
• Communication in the Lao language is essential
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and multi-country projects or programs.
• Ability to integrate different points of view in a common approach that is solution and result oriented.
• Striving to develop a sense of team with both staff under supervision and managers.
• Proven ability to work under minimum supervision and take initiative while keeping in check all relevant regulations and organization’s policies.
• Willing to learn and continue to learn; Willingness to understand conservation issues and contribute with new ideas and strategies.

6. Working Relationships:

• Internal – WWF Laos: Interact on a regular basis with the Conservation Director, Country Director and operational Departments such as Finance, Procurement and P&C, WWF-US GEF Agency.
• External – Interact on a regular basis with GEF Agency and Plastics Global team, Government authorities from the Central, Provincial and District level, co-implementers and NGO partners, private sector and periodically with embassies, potential donors, Media and supporters.

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: Project Manager, WWF-Laos_CV_Khamkeo Santiphab, Project Manager, WWF-Laos_Cover letter Khamkeo Santiphab)

10. 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