Project Coordinator - Digital Skills and Education, Vientiane, Lao PDR

General

Description of assignment title: Project Coordinator - Digital Skills and Education

Assignment country: Lao People's Democratic Republic

Duty stations: Vientiane

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 09/01/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 4. Quality education

Host entity: UNICEF

Modality: Onsite

Type: National

Volunteer category: Expert UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF's mandate, mission and unique attributes provide a strategic advantage in promoting and supporting transformational change to achieve sustainable coverage at scale. After more than 45 years in Lao PDR, UNICEF Lao PDR UNICEF is one of the longest-serving international organizations in the country plays an important role in supporting the government, advocating for reform and leading coordination to scale-up results.

Context:

• UNICEF has been working in Lao PDR continuously since 1973. In close coordination with the Lao Government and aligned with the national socio-economic development plans (NSEDP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNICEF Lao PDR has been implementing its Country Programmes to promote the rights and wellbeing of children and women and bring basic services - education, health, nutrition, protection, water, sanitation, hygiene and climate actions.
• Under the UNICEF Country Programme framework, this UNV assignment is to support the planning, implementation and monitoring of the UNICEF Lao PDR's Education Programme, which aims that more children, including adolescents, especially the most disadvantaged, are better prepared for school and have improved learning outcomes and skills to achieve their full potential. UNICEF works for both upstream work (policies, curriculum, standards, system strengthening and evidence generation, etc) as well as the downstream work at provincial, district, school and community levels (teachers and education workforce capacity development, service delivery, demand creation and community empowerment etc,), strengthening the linkages at all levels and translating policies into actions. UNICEF promotes cross-sectoral approach and thereby support children and adolescents' learning, upskilling and development holistically.
• In particular, the UNV will assist the coordination and management of a new project named 'Digital Skills and Digital Literacy for Lao Adolescent Employability' which will be launched from September 2026 for three years in partnership between UNICEF, the European Union (EU) and the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES). The project primarily target Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, but it will also cover lower secondary education/schools in the same catchment areas as the targeted TVET Institutions to facilitate school-to-work transitions. The project will aim to achieve: 1) Improved digital skills and digital literacy among Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) teachers and students; 2) Enhanced availability and quality of career guidance and digital entrepreneurship support for improved TVET enrolment and school-to-work transitions; and 3) Increased awareness of the importance of digital skills and digital literacy among the target young people and wider communities.
• UNICEF works with the Lao Government, particularly the MoES and in coordination with other line Ministries and government institutions, both at the national and sub-national (provincial and district) levels. UNICEF also engages various partners, including other UN agencies and bilateral and multilateral organizations, NGOs, civil society organizations (CSOs), academia and private sectors. On the ground, UNICEF partners with mass organizations (such as Lao Women's Union, Lao Youth Union and Lao Front) and reaches out to schools and communities, including those in remote and most disadvantaged. The direct beneficiaries include school-aged children and adolescent, their teachers, principals, education administrators, parents and caregivers.

Task description:

• Under the direct supervision of Chief of Education, UNICEF Lao PDR, the UNV will contribute to supporting the planning, implementation, monitoring and coordination of the UNICEF's Education Programme. In particular, the UNV will take a major role in supporting the 'Digital Skills and Digital Literacy for Lao Adolescent Employability' project, which will start from September 2026 for three years. The UNV will work to help enhance the capacity of the government, TVET managers and teachers, lower secondary teachers and other duty bearers to enhance skills development of adolescents. This would include engagement and empowerment of TVET and lower secondary students, adolescents as well as parents and communities. In doing so, the UNV will work as part the Education team and in close coordination with other sections of UNICEF Lao PDR, in liaise with the government and other stakeholders.
• More specifically, the UNV will undertake the following key tasks (not limited to):
• Support for Project Coordination and Management - Provide leading assistance to Chief of Education and the Education Team in day-to-day management and coordination for the implementation of the 'Digital Skills and Digital Literacy for Lao Adolescent Employability' project. This includes liaising with the MoES (the main counterpart for the project), other line Ministries and key stakeholders, the EU Delegation and UNICEF.
• Support in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), and Knowledge Management - Contribute to the M&E and knowledge generation and management associated with the 'Digital Skills and Digital Literacy for Lao Adolescent Employability' project and other related work. This includes (not limited to) technical and operational assistance with education surveys, studies and evaluations.
• Support for Communication - Support communication and documentation of the progress and impact of the 'Digital Skills and Digital Literacy for Lao Adolescent Employability' project. Support preparing narrative and financial progress reports, as well as related fundraising and advocacy communication pieces.
• Support for (Sub) Sector Coordination - Provide assistance to enhancing UNICEF's capacity to contribute to improved coordination and effectiveness of the Education and Sports Sector Working Group (ESSWG) mechanism, especially in the areas of secondary education and TVET sub-sectors, as well as in the UN Education Result Group, etc.
• Other Tasks - Contribute to other Programme related tasks as appropriate, including (not limited to) inputs to annual reviews, MoES-UNICEF Rolling Work Plans, development of funding proposals, donor visits, annual reports, etc.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 7 years

Nationality: Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 7 years

Languages:

• Laotian, Level: Fluent, Required
• English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

• Master's degree in Education, Social Science, International Development and other related areas

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Building Trust
• Commitment and Motivation
• Communication
• Creativity
• Ethics and Integrity
• Planning and Organising
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Technological Awareness
• Self-management
• Working in Teams

Skills and experience:

• Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset
• Technical knolwedge and experience in teacher training and development, especially that in digital skills and digital literacy, is a strong asset
• Experience working with the government in Lao PDR is an asset
• Project management experiences is a strong asset
• Very good drafting, formulation, reporting skills in English
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners at different levels
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines

Area(s) of expertise:

• Education, Information technology and telecommunications, Community development

Driving license:

Other information