Economic Inclusion Specialist – Lao PDR

Place: Vientiane, Lao PDR with missions to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Philippines
Starting date: 1st January 2024
Duration of contract: 3 years
Closing date for applications: 24th November 2023

Handicap International/Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial international solidarity organization, which intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflicts and disasters. Working alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, it acts and speaks out to meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. More info: www.hi.org

At Handicap International-Humanity & Inclusion, we truly believe in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organisation. This is why we are engaged to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities.

Please indicate if you require any special accommodation, even at the first interview.

JOB CONTEXT:

The South East Asia Program include operations in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, China, Philippines (PEKONG), Myanmar and Thailand (MyTh). The Regional Program Office is based in different countries of both programs, but mainly in Vientiane.
The ongoing strategy aims to improve participation, resilience and quality of live conditions of persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups.
It is expected to work on the strategy for livelihood – economic inclusion for period 2025-2030 in 2024.

The position will be based in Vientiane with missions within all countries of intervention.

Reporting to the Technical Head of Program, and in collaboration with HQ Global Specialists, the Economic Inclusion Field Technical Specialist will contribute to the implementation of the Economic Inclusion pillar of the South East Asia STRATOPs, and lay the foundation of a common strategy and approach taking into account each context. She/he will be responsible for providing technical support to ongoing projects and ensuring quality according to sector standards and good practices.

YOUR MISSION:

The main ongoing challenges are: defining the new STRATOP for 2025-2030 (playing a key role in the strategic vision of the sector); developing new ideas for new projects in all the countries of the program, as many projects of the livelihood – economic inclusion sector are nearing completion; hence the need for strengthening the networking and the diagnostics related to the sector and working closely with the business developer for opening new funding possibilities; creating more synergies with other sectors (multisectoral projects) and promoting more coordination and communication with the MEAL team (quality indicators for the sector, for example); evolving in our capacity for DGA (disability, gender, age) transformative actions and intersectionality; promoting opportunities for innovation and for the implementation of good practices already tested in other HI programs; exploring all the relevant components of livelihood – economic inclusion, such as the use of digital tools for employment, the graduation model, financial inclusion.

Mission 1. Expertise

Contribute to the regional strategies in line with the global strategies;
Ensure technical support to projects in line with the global technical frameworks and standards in his/her sectorial scope;
Ensure technical learning from projects;
Control & monitor the technical quality and the relevance of HI’s activities in the programmes under his/her scope;
Ensure compliance of the technical proposition with nexus stakes;
Contribute to the development of research and innovation projects in the region when relevant, in his/her sectorial scope;
Contribute to the Technical Divisions professional channel facilitation within the program.

Mission 2. Influence

Contribute to the local external prestige and influence of HI’s expertise in his sectorial scope;
Contribute to advocacy on specific themes in line with global advocacy priorities.

Mission 3. Business development

Ensure the development of major opportunities or new projects in the region under his sectorial scope;
Identify & transform major opportunities in the region under his scope;
Identify & develop local partnerships and/or consortium with NGOs, Institutions, Companies on technical priorities or important topics in the region under his sectorial scope;
Contribute to the conception of major projects (multiple countries, one theme) or of new projects in the region.

Mission 4. Emergency preparedness and response responsibilities

Contribute to the support or implementation of emergency preparedness actions of the programmes and, during an emergency, adapt his/her working modality to contribute to an effective HI humanitarian response.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:

Vientiane is a safe city. The main risks are the road accidents (mainly motorbikes) and the regular outbreak of dengue fever. The living conditions in Vientiane are suitable for a family posting.

YOUR PROFILE:

Degree in livelihoods, development or relevant fields
Minimum of seven years of experience in providing technical support and strategic guidance in Economic Inclusion in low to middle income countries
Proven experience in providing technical guidance for rural and urban livelihoods development with micro and smallholders
Proven empirical experience in promoting inclusive employment practices and/or working with business network and alike
In-depth knowledge of the different schools of thought and explanatory models of disability inclusive employment and rural livelihoods development and the application of approaches and tools
Ability to give and receive constructive feedback, discussing with multi-disciplinary teams, and working as part of a network and collaborating
Strong negotiation and communication skills and sharing information

CONDITIONS:

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. https://hi.org/en/join-the-team

36 months International contract starting from 1st January 2024
The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:
Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals
Pension scheme
Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution
Repatriation insurance paid by HI
Salary from 2757€ gross/month upon experience
Perdiem: 510.15€ net/month – paid in the field
Paid leaves: 25 days per year;
R&R: 1 day per month => + possible transport/package support.
Position:
unaccompanied
Payment for travel costs (air ticket & visa) and transport of your personal effects
a child allowance of 100€ per month, per child (from the second child) paid in the field
open to couples
Support travel costs (air ticket & visa) for accompanying dependent and health/ repatriation insurance if the dependent has no income
payment of one yearly additional return flight
open to families (more than 12 months): package familial
A child allowance of 100€ per month, per child (from the second child) paid in the field
Contribution to school registration fees for children over 3 years
Family-wide health coverage
Payment for travel costs (air ticket & visa) and transport of your personal effects
Housing: Individual taken in charge by HI