Women’s Economic Empowerment Advisor

Job Title:                                       Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Advisor

Department:                               Program Department

Location:                                      Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

Position Reports to:                  Program Director (PD)

Position Type:                             Fixed-Term (1 year with potential extension), Full-time

CARE INTERNATIONAL IN LAO PDR

CARE International is a global NGO working to end poverty and achieve social-justice. We rebuild and improve the lives of the most vulnerable groups, especially women and girls who are often the most marginalized individuals in their communities and face unequal access to social and economic rights. In 2024, CARE worked in more than 100 countries around the world, supporting 200 million people from vulnerable communities to fight poverty and social injustice. To date, CARE supported over 52 million participants to promote lasting change in their lives, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

CARE International in Lao PDR began its operations in 1992 and has worked since then to improve the lives of vulnerable groups in both rural and urban areas, particularly the ethnic minority communities. CARE works in partnership with community members, the government, local civil society organisations, and the private sector. CARE currently implements projects in seven provinces: Vientiane Capital, Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Salavan, Champasack and Sekong.

CARE’s “Marginalized Women and Girls” program empowers women and girls to exercise their rights, to lead and make decisions, and benefit from socio-economic justice through themathic focus on women’s health, women’s economic empowerment and women’s resilience and climate change. CARE has extensive experience and expertise in both of these areas and will continue to pursue evidence-based practices to deliver long-lasting solutions effectively and sustainably.

Job Summary / About the Role

The Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Advisor is responsible for contributing to the development and implementation of CARE Laos’ Women Economic Empowerment programming and contributing to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality. The

WEE advisor actively:

• Provides technical advice to project teams, partners, and senior management to ensure a strong Gender and WEE approach with transformative gender across all of CARE Laos.
• Represents CARE and participates in national level technical working groups, contributing to Government of Laos strategies and policy on behalf of CARE, leads in networks.
• Contributes to the development of CARE’s programs, and strategic partnerships with donors, international and national NGOs, and government in Laos, maximizing mutual benefit and mutual accountability.
• Manage and maintain CARE Laos’ Women Economic Empowerment program portfolio including specific project under the WEE program.
• Build internal and external capacities on Gender and WEE.

This position is based in Vientiane Capital, with frequent travel required to the field offices (Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, Luangprabang, Saravan, Champasack and Sekong).

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least master’s degree in Women’s Entrepreneurship Studies, Gender Studies, International Development Studies, Business management in the development context or relevant fields.
• Proven understanding of working with an International Non-Government Organization (INGO) and a willingness to learn about CARE, gender equality and women’s empowerment activities.
• Minimum 8 years relevant experience on related to women’s economic empowerment, and/or gender equality and women’s rights ( i.e. Gender and Markets, women financial inclusion, women’s entrepreneurship, gender mainstreaming in value chains, gender and social inclusion in livelihoods interventions, women participation, and leadership in business).
• Proven experience in program management and providing technical advice for program(s) implementation.
• A high level of organizational and time management skills, including the ability to plan and manage workflows and balance competing priorities to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated understanding of gender equality and a commitment to CARE’s approach and values including ethnic diversity and cultural sensitivity.
• Demo Demonstrated characteristics in honesty, reliability, trustworthiness with the ability to maintain confidentiality; and
• Demonstrate good understanding and experiences on Gender and Market system approach.
• Proven experience of designing and/or leading research and/or monitoring and evaluation activities
• Proven experience of designing and leading capacity building initiative.
• Representational skills including developing networks and relationships with key stakeholders.
• Fluent in Communication and reporting skills in both Lao and English. For international nationality, basic Lao speaking skill would be an advantage.
• Fully conversant in Microsoft Office with knowledge in Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel.