Country Coordinator, Mekong-Australia Partnership on Transnational Crime - Laos

Job Description

Project Overview and Role:

The Mekong-Australia Partnership on Transnational Crime (MAP-TNC) was designed with the goal ‘to build deeper and stronger cooperation between Australia and Mekong countries to address transnational crime’ and aligns with the strategic priorities set out in Partnerships for Recovery: Australia’s COVID-19 Development Response (May 2020). The sub-regional program will address operational and strategic TNC challenges in five Southeast Asian Countries - Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam (the ‘Mekong countries’).

The Country Coordinators will by TNC focal points within a regional network engaged to deliver MAP-TNC program activities. They will establish working relationships with government, key TNC and border security agencies and other government, donor, and non-government agencies in their respective countries. They will facilitate delivery of program activities and facilitate locally driven problem identification and solutions.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the stakeholder mapping exercise of organisations and individuals with TNC and border security research expertise and policy development responsibilities.
  
• Provide local information and contacts to support the completion of the Baseline Assessment.
  
• Work closely with DFAT posts to facilitate program delivery in country.
  
• Establish working relationships with stakeholders in their respective countries, including within partner country governments; key TNC and border security stakeholders; and related established programs in their country.
  
• Actively engage in annual work planning processes including facilitate participation of local stakeholders to drive evidence-based planning and adaption. Facilitate identification of local activities and consolidate planning discussions in Country level annual work plans.
  
• Identify opportunities for in-kind contributions such as use of facilities or expertise.
  
• Recommend individuals, organisations and agencies that may benefit from peer-to-peer mentoring or exchange.
  
• Create sustainable coalitions through establishing Communities of Practice coalesced around local and regional themes.
  
• Organise country specific logistics for program activities and participating personnel.
  
• Participate as required in regional program activities, meetings, training, and workshops.
  
• Role model adaptive management approaches to program activities.
  
• Identify local expertise to offer technical advisory services.
  
• Support learning and knowledge exchange through initiating and facilitating study visits, workshops, mentoring and secondments of MAP-TNC stakeholders as required.
  
• Champion inclusive approaches to activity design and delivery with a focus on changing attitudes and practice in relation to social inclusion.
  
• Recommend opportunities to work with private sector and civil society.
  
• If relevant, monitor implementation of small grants.
  
• Contribute to program deliverables including Annual Plan, Quarterly Progress and Financial Report,
• Annual Report, as requested by Partnership Director.
  
• Contribute to M&E, including country-level data collection and analysis
  

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated relevant management experience with experience in government capacity building strongly preferred.
• Experience working as part of a regional international development program with responsibility for country level activities.
• Demonstrated experience building and fostering sustainable public, private and civil society coalitions to identify and address challenges.
• Experience in annual planning and implementation of country level annual plans.
• Experience with or ability to gain sound understanding of data collection and analysis that contribute to program level learning and adaptation.
  
• Knowledge or understanding of local and regional social, economic, and political context governing transnational crime issues and analysis in Mekong countries.
• Effective interpersonal skills that influence and build trust
  
• Committed to continuous review and enhancement of their practice and knowledge.
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  
• Computer literate in word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and knowledge management software (Microsoft).
  
• Ability to maintain the highest ethical standards at all times.

The successful candidate must have the right to work in Lao PDR and be willing to be based in Vientiane at their own expense.

About the Organization

Company Overview:

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits.

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved - and is committed to continuing to improve - economies, societies and most importantly, people's lives.

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.