Deadline for application: 10 March 2026
RECOFTC is an international nonprofit organization working towards a future where resilient communities with respected rights thrive in forest landscapes that they manage sustainably and equitably. We take a long-term, landscape-based and inclusive approach in supporting local communities to secure their land and resource rights, stop deforestation, find alternative livelihoods and foster gender equality. We have almost 40 years of experience and we have built trusting relationships with partners from communities, governments, businesses, academia and civil society organizations. Our innovations, knowledge and initiatives enable countries to foster good forest governance, mitigate and adapt to climate change and achieve the UN Global Goals.
We operate in the Asia-Pacific region, with country offices in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam.
RECOFTC Lao PDR office has been supporting the Government of Lao PDR in advancing the forestry sector and implementing various forestry programmes for over a decade. We aim to strengthen the village forestry sector by building capacity, mainstreaming gender and social inclusion in forest management, supporting good forest governance by providing technical inputs and co-creating knowledge through participatory action research. We also facilitate partnerships among various stakeholders to develop a common understanding on a range of issues. This includes private sector and local community partnerships to support income generation of forest-dependent communities from forest products, and to strengthen the capacity of the private sector in responsible business practices.
RECOFTC is currently seeking a Programme Coordinator for its Lao PDR Office in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This position is open to nationals of Lao PDR. The successful candidate will be offered a 12-month contract, with the possibility of extension contingent on funding availability and satisfactory performance.
Tasks and duties
The Programme Coordinator will be a member of the RECOFTC Lao PDR Office and will work under the direct supervision of the Country Director. The Programme Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring effective and efficient planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating of programmes and projects in Lao PDR aligning with overall strategic goals under RECOFTC’s Strategic Plan 2023-2028. The Programme Coordinator will also provide technical assistance, coordinate with project partners, support capacity building activities and ensure timely submission of progress reports for programmes and projects under RECOFTC Lao PDR.
Coordinate and support project teams in applying RECOFTC’s Project Management Standards to strengthen project management, delivery, and timely donor reporting
Contribute to the development of the annual work plan for the RECOFTC Lao PDR Office and ensure timely submission of programme activity plans and progress reports
Coordinate with the RECOFTC Lao PDR team, the main office, government partners, development partners, and donors to ensure alignment with organizational strategies and donor requirements
Prepare country reports and provide timely updates during internal coordination meetings, annual planning sessions and programme review events
Lead and manage assigned project(s), including activity implementation in the field, and coordinate with donors and partners to ensure successful project delivery
Serve as the focal point for Goal 3 of RECOFTC’s strategic plan on improved governance and respect for rights
Stakeholder networking, business development and private sector engagement
Support engagement and relationship building with strategic partners and collaborators, including relevant ministries and departments within Lao PDR government, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, international non-governmental organizations and the private sector to explore areas of collaboration and expand programme activities and impacts in the country
Support the Country Director and Deputy Country Director to develop RECOFTC Lao PDR business and fundraising strategy with support from the Business Development team and other technical staff based at the RECOFTC main office;
Contribute to the development of project proposals to seek funding support from various donors including the private sector
Lead in building, cultivating and maintaining good relationships with the private sector in Lao PDR
Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL)
Coordinate MEL inputs from different projects and ensure their alignment with the RECOFTC’s strategic plan, integrating project data across all four goals of RECOFTC
Monitor and evaluate RECOFTC Lao PDR’s annual work plan
Coordinate with the country team in collecting, analyzing and using of MEL data for projects and programme based on logical framework and strategic plan to track progress, inform decision-making and support learnings
Support data collection for Output Reporting and Outcome Harvesting and ensure reports are accurate and delivered on time to MEL team at the main office.
Support knowledge management and communication
Perform other tasks as assigned by RECOFTC, Lao PDR Country Director
Qualifications and experience
The Program Coordinator will have the following essential qualifications and experience.
Essential
Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, business administration, social sciences or a related field
At least eight years’ working experience in project or programme management and implementation, especially in the field of development and/or natural resource management
Extensive experience in capacity building, monitoring, evaluation and learning
Demonstrated leadership skills and networking qualities, familiarity with working in a multi-stakeholder environment
Good understanding of project cycle management, fundraising and private sector engagement, with experience in developing project proposals and donor reports
Good command of written and spoken Lao and English, proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database management applications
Willingness to travel regularly to project sites in the country
Lao National
Desirable
RECOFTC’s core values
At RECOFTC, our core values are the foundation of our culture and guide all our work. In addition to job-specific skills and experience, the applicant should possess the following characteristics, attitudes, and skills:
Embrace innovation
Adapt to and learn from challenges
Nurture commitment, responsibility and ownership
Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
Committed to sustainability
Cultivate participation, gender equity and social inclusion
Prioritize wellbeing
How to apply
Interested candidates are requested to submit a CV and a cover letter indicating why they are suitable for this position, with salary expectations and current contact details of three referees, including recent supervisors by clicking 'Apply Now'. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. RECOFTC has a competitive compensation package.
To learn more about RECOFTC, please visit our website recoftc.org.
Applicants shall not be discriminated against based on ethnicity, religion, age, nationality, physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by RECOFTC’s values and code of conduct. Reasonable accommodation may be made so that qualified disabled applicants can partake in the application process. Please inform RECOFTC’s Human Resources in writing of any special needs at the time of application.
RECOFTC is an equal-opportunity employer, and the successful candidate will be selected based on merit. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
RECOFTC retains the right to offer this position at a job grade relevant to the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.