View Vacancy - LAO - Economics Officer, HEO

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Political

Main Purpose of Job:

The officer would lead on the UK’s economic policy in Laos.  This will include leading on economic reporting in Laos as well as supporting the design and delivery of regional, global and UK-funded multilateral development programmes which operate in Laos. There will be working level engagement with relevant ministries and other relevant actors, NGOs and multilateral bodies, with specific engagement on UK assistance channelled through these agencies. An important part of the role will be providing analysis of the economic situation in Laos and the implications for Laos’ development trajectory and the UK-Laos bilateral relationship. This analysis will support effective and prioritised utilisation of UK development resources in Laos. 

Since reopening the Embassy in 2012, the UK’s bilateral relationship with Laos has deepened with successful co-operation in areas like climate, health and education. The UK is committed to supporting development in Laos, especially in priority areas such as health, education, governance and tackling the illegal wildlife trade. The new Economic Officer would support this work and lead in several areas. 

In August 2021 the UK became the first new ASEAN Dialogue Partner for 25 years. As part of this new relationship, the UK is currently designing a number of new regional ASEAN programmes. Feeding into the design of those programmes, to ensure that Laos’ priorities are reflected, and then supporting delivery of programme activities in Laos to help maximise the development impact. These programmes are likely to cover a range of issues including economic development, health, climate change and education.

A large proportion of the UK’s assistance is spent via multilateral organisations, including the World Bank, United Nations and Asia Development Bank. The Embassy has good working relations with these organisations but the Officer would be expected to develop these further so we can do more the fully understand, leverage and publicise this work. 

The Officer will be expected to use their existing knowledge of economics to provide analysis of the economic situation in Laos and help with the Embassy’s economic reporting. This will involve analysis and reporting on the Laotian economy and regional impacts to help inform UK policy makers. Analysis will also highlight important key developments both internal and external to build up a picture of the political economy and its effect on the security, stability and development trajectory of Laos. The Officer will also manage the Embassy’s relationship with key economic stakeholders in Laos such as the Central Bank, Ministry of Finance, International Financial Institutions, and economics officers in like-minded missions.
The Officer will work closely with the Head of Political Section and alongside the existing Projects Team. They will also work with FCDO, and other UK Government department colleagues in the region and in the UK. 

The Officer will be based at the British Embassy in Vientiane, but some in-country and regional travel may be required. The Embassy is a medium sized friendly mission committed to diversity and staff development.

What will the Jobholder be Expected to Achieve:

Economic Analysis (40%)

  • Providing analysis of the economic situation in Laos and feeding into the Embassy’s regular reporting to the UK.
  • Collaborating with the Indo-Pacific Economic Teams in FCDO and DIT to shape HQ’s analytical priorities and ensure the incorporate sounds conclusions on the Laos economy.
  • Provide expert economics advice for senior decision making related to the economic situation in Laos.
  • Form and maintain effective working relationships with the FCDO regional economics network to share knowledge and understanding with other UK posts in the Indo Pacific region.

Stakeholder Engagement (30%)

  • Leading the Embassy’s working level engagement with multilateral (e.g. World Bank, UN, ADB). The officer will build a wide range of external contacts both within Laos and the wider ASEAN region were appropriate. They will be expected to form and maintain these relationships so they can be leveraged for programme delivery and economic analysis.
  • Providing political support to our third party implementation partners. This will require forming and maintaining relationships with working level contacts in Laos Government Ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Ministry of Education and Sport.
  • Support UK-Laos bilateral relations by utilising working level contacts and Laos Government Ministries to ensure UK development programming is fully recognised and viewed positively.

Development Programming (20%)

  • Collaborate with colleagues a range of regional FCDO colleagues, especially with colleagues in the Indo Pacific Regional Team (New Delhi) and the UK Mission to ASEAN (Jakarta), to support their design and delivery of regional, multilateral and global UK development programmes that operate in Laos, including the ACES programme.
  • Form and maintain a range of contacts, in the region and the UK, from other UK Government Departments including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department of Health and Social Care. Work closely with these contacts to deliver international development programmes.
  • Work closely with our Communications team, to ensure all UK development programming is widely publicised and recognised in Laos.

Corporate (10%)

  • Take on corporate tasks and roles that contribute to embassy objectives, proactively working with members of other teams.
  • Contribute to the Embassy’s crisis preparedness and response.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

  • Regional project funds- amount TBC
  • Potential line management of one staff member 
  • Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, for instance, economics, economic development
  • A minimum of 2+ years of experience working for an organisation in a relevant field, for example, working for/with national or regional government, international organizations or agencies, non-governmental organisations, preferably on economics.
  • Good understanding of economics, and experience of providing economic analysis/advice to senior leaders.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience of managing diverse and senior level relationships.

Language requirements: 

  • Language: English and Lao
  • Level of language required: Fluent written and spoken English essential; fluent written and spoken Lao preferred
  • Knowledge of financial / budget management principles or previous financial management experience.
  • Knowledge or experience of programme and/or project management and relevant skills.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the Lao government – such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Ministry of Education and Sport.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing
1 February 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
35
Asia Pacific
Laos
Vientiane
British Embassy
1
USD
USD 2,010/month
3 April 2023

Please note that the provided start date is subject to successful reference & security checks results.

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

In crisis/emergency situations work as required to support the Embassy response (sometimes on a shift pattern working unsociable hours).

Working Patterns: Monday – Friday 08:30 - 16:30

This is a 12-month fixed-term role with possibility of renewal.

Security Clearance: Official

Embassy Vision and Values:

VISION: What do we want to build?

A better, safer, more prosperous world for Britons and Lao alike.

MISSION: How will we achieve this?

By championing UK values and delivering tangible benefits to individuals, businesses and society: through quality service, effective partnerships and local expertise.

VALUES: that underpin our work

Creativity – Respect – Growth - Flexibility

Learning and Development Opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The British Embassy Vientiane encourages all staff to develop their capabilities, through both formal training (courses) and informal opportunities (job-shadowing, coaching, on-the-job training etc). The majority of our formal learning and development opportunities are drawn from FCDO resources. All staff are encouraged to share their skills and experience with colleagues, through informal training or coaching/mentoring. 

Training will be available on the technical aspects of UK Government programme management, including the UK Government Programme Operating Framework (PROF), but some prior experience of programme management and financial management would be a strong advantage.

The Officer will also have access to the regional economics network’s learning and development offer, with opportunities to travel to conferences and regional engagements.

Your application must be submitted before 23:55 Vientiane Time (GMT +7) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen. 

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
 
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested.

Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

Please check the application centre regularly for any update on your application.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.