Project Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Officer will work closely with the Country Program Representative to coordinate and support the effective, timely, and quality implementation of the DRR and disaster preparedness project. The position will provide day-to-day technical and operational support to project activities, supervise and coach project field staff, strengthen the capacity of Village Development Committees (VDCs) and community volunteer groups, and ensure effective monitoring, documentation, reporting, and learning. The Project Officer will promote participatory, community-based, and sustainable approaches that strengthen the capacity and resilience of vulnerable communities to prepare for and respond to disasters.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

DUTIES

• Coordinate and facilitate the implementation of project activities in target villages, ensuring activities are timely, participatory, inclusive, and delivered with quality in accordance with the approved project plan.
• Support the implementation of community-based Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and disaster preparedness activities, including community risk and vulnerability assessment, preparedness planning, awareness raising, mitigation, early warning, and community-based response mechanisms, as relevant to the project.
• Supervise, coach, and mentor to project field staff, including the Project Field Assistant, to ensure effective and quality implementation of project activities.
• Strengthen the capacity of VDCs, community leaders, and village volunteer groups on DRR, disaster preparedness, community resilience, and their roles and responsibilities in reducing and responding to disaster risks.
• Facilitate participatory community processes that enable communities to identify risks, vulnerabilities, capacities, priorities, and appropriate actions to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience.
• Monitor project activities and progress against approved indicators and targets, collect and verify project data, and work with the Project Manager/Country Program Representative to address implementation gaps.
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate project reports and documentation, including activity reports, monitoring results, lessons learned, success stories, photographs, and community participant stories.
• Coordinate with relevant government counterparts and participate in government planning, coordination meetings, and other relevant DRR activities, as directed by the supervisor.
• Promote accountability, inclusion, gender sensitivity, and participation of vulnerable groups throughout project implementation.
• Support the Project Manager/Country Program Representative in project planning, review, learning, and adaptation to ensure project activities remain relevant and achieve intended results.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, Community Development, Disaster Risk Reduction/Management, Social Sciences, Management, or related field. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education where appropriate.

EXPERIENCE and SKILLS

• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience with an international organization, NGO, or development/humanitarian organization.
• Experience in community development, project implementation, facilitation, training, or community mobilization.
• Experience or knowledge of Disaster Risk Reduction, disaster preparedness, community resilience, or climate-related risk management is highly desirable.
• Understanding and practical experience in participatory and community-based approaches.
• Strong skills in facilitation, communication, teamwork, coaching, reflection, and learning.
• Ability to organize work, prioritize tasks, work independently, and meet deadlines.
• Strong commitment to working with vulnerable and underserved communities, particularly in rural and remote areas.
• Demonstrated reliability, integrity, trustworthiness, transparency, and service-mindedness.
• Good report writing and documentation skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, email, and internet-based communication.
• Fluency in Lao and good command of spoken and written English.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently and work in remote project locations.