NGO JOBS

Organization: Accounting for International Development
Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic (the)
Closing date: 28 Feb 2014

Our partner aims to provide opportunities for men and women, boys and girls, social and elite players and those in urban and rural areas to participate in the sport of Rugby Union, whilst ensuring that health benefits and personal development opportunities are realised to their fullest extent. Founded in 2000, they have a particular focus on encouraging women and girls participation in the sport.

You would be the first volunteer. Our partner has 5 full-time staff with 10 part-time coaches. The Operations Manager is currently in charge of the finance function and she has a higher diploma majoring in finance and banking. However she would like further support in building a robust and fit-for-purpose accounting system. Currently they are using an Excel based accounting system but believe that there aren’t enough checks and balances in place. They would ideally like someone to support them to ensure that the organisation has adequate internal controls and processes. Your role would be akin to conducting an internal audit - you will need to gain an understanding of the organisation and its structure, assessing its existing financial procedures and controls, and making recommendations / implementing changes that you deem necessary.

As the first volunteer, one of your key responsibilities will be to determine in what scope AfID continues to work with the partner organisation, and create a terms of reference for a second volunteer to follow on from your placement. It will require some flexibility and sensitivity on your part as your assignment will introduce AfID’s programme to the partner and will provide us with accurate financial information about them. Your assessment and reports will form the basis of future AfID assignments with the organization.

Our partner would ideally like someone to support then for 4 weeks any time after mid-February. Accommodation would either be a volunteer house or a guesthouse in Vientiane.

How to apply:

To apply click here: http://www.afid.org.uk/site/page/350

Organization: SNV Netherlands Development Organisation
Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic (the)
Closing date: 18 Sep 2013

Terms of Reference

Programme Manager – Agriculture, SNV Lao PDR

Based in Vientiane(Consultancy Contract)

BackgroundSNV is an international not-for-profit development organisation. Starting out in the Netherlands more than 40 years ago, we now work in over 30 developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors work with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organisations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services - empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development. By sharing our specialist expertise in Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, we contribute to solving some of the leading problems facing the world today.

SNV Lao PDR has been present in Laos since 2004 and supports initiatives in three key sectors: Agriculture (including forest products), Renewable Energy, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

In Agriculture, SNV focuses on food security, working with producers of staple food (rice), and on small-holder cash crops (cassava and bamboo value chains). Climate smart agriculture techniques are used to build resilience into the value chains. SNV supports sector development by working with key stakeholders to improve access to markets, provide knowledge and skills training, and by promoting gender and social inclusion.

Objective of the Assignment

The Programme Manager will be responsible for steering the agriculture sector, in line with the global sector strategy and cross-cutting themes, in order to improve SNV’s sector performance and contribute to the sustainability of SNV at country level.

The consultant is required to undertake the following: • Provide strategic direction to the sector in terms of content and leadership to optimise development results and resource mobilisation; • Steer implementation of projects/programmes within assigned budgets; lead complex assignments to deliver meaningful and effective advisory services, especially in private sector development;• Conceptual development of sector programmes, including identifying and defining programme interventions and opportunities in the agriculture subsectors, lead on innovations and craft this to practice;• Provide guidance and steer on Managing for Results policy and ensure credible Monitoring and Evaluation indicators and results;• Management and development of human resources in the sector, including evaluating performance of all categories of the workforce; mentor and coach team members; • Build relations with relevant stakeholders including donors, local organisations and knowledge institutions with the objective of profiling SNV, and to secure additional funding for the sector.
• Establish efficient system for business development intelligence and identify opportunities to mobilise financial resources in collaboration with the other sector teams in the country;• Actively draw lessons from managing the programmes for improving SNV’s service delivery and participate in knowledge development expertise groups/ networks so as to enhance knowledge development and sharing on innovative delivery models with the team;• Identify improvement areas within SNV Lao PDR with the aim of improving service and quality standards

Deliverables• Well designed and structured sector plan and approach for SNV Lao’s agriculture sector. • Content leadership provided to the sector.• High quality agriculture proposals prepared and national and multi-national funding for programmes secured.• Informed sector content and improved market position for agriculture in SNV Lao PDR.• Delivery of effective development results, high quality of sector practices and improved performance.• Efficient, effective and high quality services within programmes, including financial management and reporting.• Sufficient quality and motivated staff, LCBs and consultants within the agriculture team.• Contribution to improved advisory services, service delivery, profile of the sector, and funding streams.

TimelinesThe Assignment is for 12 months duration (up to 220 days), with a further one year extension negotiable. The consultancy is to commence during October 2013.

ReportingThe consultant reports to the SNV Lao PDR Country Director and works in close collaboration with the management team, sector leaders of Renewable Energy and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, the team of local agriculture advisors, and the SNV Global Agriculture Coordinator.

Assignment LocationThe Programme Manager will be based in Vientiane, with frequent travel to SNV project locations elsewhere in the country. S/he will lead a team of eight national advisors, several Local Capacity Builders, and national and international consultants.

Consultant Profile

• Master’s Degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, agribusiness, business administration, international trade or relevant field.• Minimum 8 years professional work experience, including international experience as consultant/advisor for private and/or development organisation on business development preferably in Asia;• Proven project management experience;• Proven capacity of engaging local productive initiatives with international best practices;• Proven track record working with medium and large private sector companies preferably in agri-business in the development of Inclusive Business Models;• Experience in analysing/implementing value chains in the Agriculture Sector • Experience in leading, managing and coaching a team of advisors;• Experience in organising/executing baseline studies, business and investment plans, risk analyses, and measurement impact frameworks;• Proven track record in resource mobilisation and business development;• Experienced networker and relationship manager, especially with donors and partners;• Experience in proposal writing and preparation of project documents.

Other requirements:• Strong negotiation skills, leadership, team spirit and results orientation• Entrepreneurial skills and attitude, initiative taking, networking• Client - and team-oriented attitude• Creative, communicative and proactive personality• Excellent communication skills and writing skills in English • Strong computer skills

More information about SNV

For more information, please visit our website: www.snvworld.org or www.snvworld.org/laopdr

How to apply:

Proposal Submissions

Please upload your proposal / application, including gross daily fees and CV by clicking on http://snv.devhire.devex.com/jobs/328190 and completing the registration in our online recruitment system by 18th September 2013.