National Training Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Project aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to design, implement, and partly finance low emissions and climate-resilient projects aligned with its global commitments. The project is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the Delivery Partner, in close collaboration with the National Designated Authority (NDA) - the Department of Planning and Finance (DPC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE).
The project has the following objectives:
•     Objective 1 – Capacity building: To enhance NDA and Ministries capacity to design and implement GCF projects and streamline climate data collection, analysis, and information sharing systems
•     Objective 2 – Strategic Frameworks: To undertake a comprehensive Readiness Needs Assessment, update the GCF Country Programme and develop new financial mechanisms for investment in climate action
•     Objective 4 – Pipeline development: To further develop a concept note in the Country Programme and studies for the Funding Proposal while building capacity of the Environment Protection Fund as its potential DAE
•     Objective 5 - Knowledge sharing and learning: To support NDA and line ministries to learn from other countries, prepare and disseminate knowledge products on GCF programming and develop new financial mechanisms for sustainable investment in climate action

The Project Management Unit (PMU), based at DPC/MAE, is responsible for the day-to-day execution of the project under the direction of the NDA and in line with technical guidance from FAO.

Reporting Lines

The National Training Specialist works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, with direct day-to-day reporting to the Assistant FAOR – Programme and project manager.

Technical Focus

The National Training Specialist’s technical focus is on designing, delivering, and institutionalizing capacity-building programmes on Green Climate Fund (GCF) project development and management, including GCF modalities, investment criteria, feasibility and cost–benefit analysis, gender and Indigenous Peoples considerations, and environmental and social safeguards, with an emphasis on developing sustainable training systems and online learning tools in Lao language to strengthen long-term institutional capacity of the NDA and line ministries.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and the NDA, direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR-Programme, technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in close coordination with the National Institutional Specialist/Project Manager and the national project team, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:
•     Design and deliver all trainings under the project on GCF project development and management
•     Conduct training workshops for NDA office and ministerial focal points covering GCF modalities, investment criteria, feasibility analysis, cost-benefit analysis, gender, indigenous peoples, and environmental and social safeguards
•     Ensure training modules include GCF Gender Policy and Action Plan components
•     Design and coordinate exchanges with other countries and capacity building, particularly with Vietnam for the pilot of Payment for Forest Ecosystem Services (PFES)
•     Develop and/or review Terms of Reference of affiliate workforce and ensure compliance with current standards and regulations for engaging research institutes/academia in developing online GCF training modules in Lao language
•     Support dissemination of online training materials to ensure sustainability and long-lasting impact of capacity building
•     Work closely with the National IT Specialist to develop online training modules and upload them to MAE/NDA website/climate change knowledge management portal
•     Ensure training materials are developed for continuous use beyond the project period
•     Facilitate coordination and regular communication between key project partners (including NDA, relevant ministries, research institutes, and development partners) to ensure synergies, avoid duplication, and enhance collective impact.
•     Perform other related tasks as assigned by supervisor

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     Master's degree in public management, climate change, climate finance or related field
•     Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in capacity building, training design and delivery, or technical advisory services in climate change, environment, climate finance, or development projects
•     Minimum 5 years of experience in conducting training workshops and developing training modules for government institutions and development partners
•     Working knowledge of English
•     National of Lao PDR

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Strong organizational and administrative skills
•     Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
•     Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
•     Ability to work independently and as part of a team
•     Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks
•     Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in multicultural environments
•     Training design and delivery
•     Knowledge management & e-learning
•     Coordination and facilitation

Selection Criteria

•     Track record of developing and delivering trainings, preferably on climate change and natural resources management 
•     Knowledge and experience with Government of Lao PDR governance structure and capacity.
•     Experience in GCF project development and management, including familiarity with GCF modalities, investment criteria, feasibility studies, cost-benefit analysis, gender mainstreaming, indigenous peoples, and environmental and social safeguards is required.
•     Experience in working with multi-stakeholder coordination (government ministries, NDA office, research institutes, and development partners) is required.
•     Experience in developing or supporting online learning modules / e-learning systems is a strong advantage
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION