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Job Description (Terms of Reference) for the
Short-term Public Financial Management Coordinator
(ST-PFMC)
Location:
Project Support Unit (PSU), Department of Disaster Management and Climate
Change (DDMCC), MONRE
Project Title:
Effective Governance for Small-Scale Rural Infrastructure and Disaster
Preparedness in a Changing Climate (LDCF II)
Deadline for submission of application: 4 August 2015
Type of Contract:
Contractual Service Individual (Project)
Languages Required
English and Lao
Period of assignment/Duration:
3.5 months
Working Conditions:
Standard GoL working conditions (working hours 8am-4:30pm, 5 days a week, 15
days annual leave per year)
Expected Starting Date:
As soon as possible
Background:
Laos PDR is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and livelihoods are heavily affected by these changes in
the provinces of Sekong and Saravane in the South of Lao. These climate threats have differing impacts on physical
infrastructure and ecosystems, depending on location and topography. Among the most severe are the destruction of rural
roads and small-scale irrigation schemes, as well as water scarcity for household and agricultural consumption.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), with the support of the Global Environmental Facility
(GEF), is collaborating with UNDP and UNCDF in a project entitled “Effective Governance for small-scale rural
infrastructure and disaster preparedness in a changing climate”. The overall objective of the project is to improve local
administrative systems affecting the provision and maintenance of small scale rural infrastructure, through participatory
decision making that reflects the genuine needs of communities and natural systems vulnerable to climate risk.
As part of its implementation arrangements, the project will use the existing District Development Fund (DDF) operating
under the national Governance and Public administration Reform programme (GPAR) which is led by the Ministry of Home
Affairs (MoHA), as the primary entry point for delivering local climate change adaptation infrastructures in Saravane and
Sekong provinces. The DDF provides both discretionary, performance-based grants to District Administrations together
with capacity support for planning, financial management, project implementation and reporting. The project has 3 main
Outcomes for the period of 2013 to 2016.
1.
2.
3.
Inclusive planning, budgeting and capacity development for reducing climate and disaster related risks
Local investment for reducing climate risks, guided by climate vulnerability and disaster risk assessments carried
out under Component 1
Securing ecosystem services and assets
It is in this context, a Short-term Public Financial Management Coordinator is now sought as part of the project team
supporting the Department of Disaster Management and Climate Change (DDMCC) of MoNRE.
The Short-term Public Financial Management Coordinator will report to Project Manager and work under the technical
supervision of Project Manager. The ST-PFMC will assist in the development of local activity plans, including design,
implementation and capacity development, of all aspects of the lock grant related to the Climate Change planning process at
sub district (village, kumban) district and provincial levels. The ST-PFMC will also be responsible for facilitating and
supporting the liaison between MONRE, MoHA/GPAR and relevant ministries, as well as provincial and district
administrations, and ensuring compliance and convergence with agreed approaches.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Position Title &
Location:
Project Unit
Reporting Lines
Collaboration/
working links with
other project units
and partners
Short-term Public Financial Management Coordinator (ST-PFMC)
Duty station at MOHA, DDMCC/MONRE Vientiane with regular travelling to provincial
project offices in southern Laos
Project Support Unit (PSU)
The ST-PFMC reports to the CTA. A secondary reporting line exists to the Project Manager
 GPAR/DDF team on a continuous basis in the planning and delivery cycle, for the
combined delivery of DDF and Climate Change grants to fund climate resilient
infrastructure investment at local level through the DDF mechanism
 MOF, MONRE and MOHA with regard to block grant disbursement procedures, in
collaboration with the DDF team
TOR Short-term Public Financial Management (ST-PFMC) LDCF2
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5.
6.
Brief introduction
into position with
focus on main
results to be
expected
Detailed
description of
duties and tasks
7.
Outputs to be
achieved /
produced during
the contract Period
8.
Skills and
qualifications
required
 Collaboration with MPWT to review recommendations on climate change resilient
construction standards in their sectors
 Working with MPI to provide recommendations on planning procedures
 Woking with PONREs, DONREs, POHAs and DOHAs of target provinces to implement
contracted activities (Community Risk Vulnerability Assessment or CRVA assessments,
trainings)
 Working with DDSCs to approve EbA infrastructure projects and determine budgets and
develop annual climate-resilient investment plans
 Working with local decision makers (village heads, deputy heads, and head of local mass
organizations) to facilitates project identification and CRVAs and conduct trainings and
awareness raising on infrastructure maintenance and ecosystem management
 With UNDP funds this ST-PFMC will support coordination between Outcomes 1 and 2
specifically, also working with UNCDF in the delivery of Outputs 2.1 and 2.2. This will
involve adjustments to existing public financial management procedures and guidance to
support the delivery of additional climate change financing to fund climate resilient
infrastructure investments at local level.
 Help support and coordinate activities of the project and specifically in relation to
Component 1 and 2, specifically collaborate closely with the GPAR/DDF team on a
continuous basis in the planning and delivery cycle, for the combined delivery of DDF
and Climate Change grants to fund climate resilient infrastructure investment at local level
through the DDF mechanism, in accordance with annual work plans
 Oversee and backstop the timely implementation of relevant planning, budgeting and
implementation activities at provincial and district levels, in compliance with agreed
guidelines and in collaboration with the DDF team
 Provide practical assistance for national financing modalities through block grants, as well
as related financial management and implementation procedures, in collaboration with the
DDF team
 Liaise with Ministry of Finance, MONRE and MOHA with regard to block grant
disbursement procedures, in collaboration with the DDF team
 Ensuring that capacity-building in the area of planning, budgeting and financial
management procedure are consistent with agreed procedures and provide mentoring/
backstopping to provincial and district officials, in collaboration with the DDF team
 As and when necessary, assist in adapting district planning and other procedures in order
to take into account lessons learned through implementation
 Provide support for relevant related activities, including assisting in preparing documents
for meeting, workshop, training and reporting
 Regular and quality reporting on implementation progress in accordance with Project
requirement
 Any other tasks as appropriately assigned.
 Regular project implementation progress reports produced; particularly reporting of
component 2
 Working papers for meetings, workshops and trainings prepared and reports produced
 Excursions to best practice sites for districts and provincial officials and disseminated
 Annual reports on climate resilience grant performance developed and disseminated
 Finalization of the four pilot projects’ financial reports on the first installment of 50% and
transferred the remainder of 50% of CR grants to districts (DDF-GEF A/c)
 Complete the CR investment project proposals (following the duly procedure of DDF
guidelines) that are included in fiscal year of 2015-16
 Requisition of CR grants from UNCDF Hqs through UNCDF CO
 Organization and facilitation of the endorsed DDF guidelines with inclusion of CR criteria
at national and local level.
 A relevant Bachelor Degree in the finance, business administration, social sciences or
related fields
 5 year’s work experience either on public finance or local and community development
issues in Lao PDR
 Experience of working with local administrations in Lao PDR
 Experience of local level planning and budgeting
 Hands on experience in organizing and facilitating meetings and workshops
 A proven track record of team working
 A sound knowledge of spoken and written English
 A sound knowledge of financial and data processing, and analysis tools
 Good communications and facilitation skills.
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