Government Liaison Coordinator

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE: Oxfam is an international confederation of 23 organizations networked together in 97 countries. As part of a global movement for change, we are working together to end world poverty and injustice. We work with thousands of partners in countries around the world, and employ staff in a wide variety of posts. We work directly with communities and we work with the powerful to enable the most marginalized to improve their lives and livelihoods and have a say in decisions that affect them.

The Oxfam CLV Cluster is comprised of three countries, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Our Vision for the CLV Cluster is to increase our impact on the ground, strengthen our ability to influence policy changes at country and regional levels, raises income and saves costs.

All programs and projects in the CLV cluster are implemented effectively in contribution to the CLV Cluster Strategy 2022-24 and country strategies in each country. All programs across Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are collaborating with each other to achieve the common CLV goal and objectives.

TEAM PURPOSE: The Program and Quality Team, Laos supports Oxfam in Laos and partners in program design, program delivery, monitoring and evaluation, communications, research and government liaison. The Team support colleagues and partners in knowledgement management, and supports learning from Oxfam development programs in Laos, Asia and globally. The Team supports programs and business operations in Laos to deliver quality, impactful programs that follow Oxfam values and principles.

JOB PURPOSE: The Government Liaison Coordinator will support Oxfam in Laos build and maintain a productive working relationship with Government of Laos. The coordinator will support Oxfam in Laos understand and follow process as per relevant government regulations for development programs. They are responsible for liaising with various governmental authorities, including but not limited to ministries and relevant authorities at central, provincial, and local levels to facilitate approval of Memorandum of Understanding, Memorandum of Agreement, and other government processes for the design, implementation evaluation and closure of programs.

ROLE REPORTS TO

MEAL and Grant Manager

ROLES REPORTING TO THIS POST

N/A

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY

N/A

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (Coordination, relationships and influences)

Build and maintain relationships with key technical staff and decision-makers in government ministries, agencies and among local authorities.
Support the National Director (ND) and program managers to build equitable, transparent and mutually benefiting relationships between Oxfam in Laos and key Government of Laos partners (ministries, central government, provincial and local government). This includes developing and implementing mutually agreed partnering protocols.
Lead the MOU/MOA or other government agreements process for new project start-up and renew or extension to projects. Advise program staff on actions and documentation at each step of approval processes as well as following up on supporting documents with the governement partners at all levels.
Accompany project key personnel to meetings with government officials and facilitate conversations for smooth representation of Oxfam in Laos in those meetings.
Maintain records and minutes of government meetings. Establish and maintain database records for Oxfam’s government liaison in Laos (meetings, calls and written communications to or from government)
Participate in relevant meetings and conferences organized by authorities both at national and local levels.
Support and assist program team to draft, review and screen letters to government partners relevant to the MOU/MOA, project implementation or project evaluations.
Support and assist program team to prepare reports to present to the governement partners in Implementation Management Committee meetings to ensure that they are aligned with MOU/MOA commitments and regulations.
Support and assist the preparation of and submission of progress reports and applications to relevant ministries.
Lead and organize events, meetings and visits related to the Implementation Management Committee meeting/visits, MOU consultation and reflection meetings at national and local levels.
Work with authorities to secure all required authorizations, permissions, permits, visas or other approvals or documentation to facilitate smooth design, implementation and evaluation of programming.
Strengthen government awareness of Oxfam in Laos policies and proceedures, in partiucualr in regards to safeguarding, gender, and inclusion.
Familiarize and keep up with all government requirements applicable to development projects to support programs, field management and program teams to ensure compliance.
Provide training and socialization to program staff on government requirements.
Ensure all correspondence with government is in line with Oxfam in Laos policies and records are retained in an organized manner.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Most importantly, every individual at Oxfam needs to be able to:

Live our values of INCLUSION, ACCOUNTABILITY, EMPOWERMENT, COURAGE, SOLIDARITY and EQUALITY (read more about these here)
Ensure you commit to our ORGANIZATIONAL ATTRIBUTES (including adhering to the Code of Conduct):

1. Be committed to our feminist principles, and to applying them in your day-to-day behaviour and your work. Be ready to keep learning, with accountability to those who experience oppression as a result of their identities, such as their gender, race/ethnicity, disability, class, or LGBTQIA identity."

2. Be committed to undertaking Oxfam’s safeguarding training and adhering to relevant policies, to ensure all people who come into Oxfam are as safe as possible.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & COMPETENCIES

ESSENTIAL

Self-Awareness
Systems Thinking
Influencing
Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge
University degree/post graduate, preferably in development-related field.
A minimum of 5 years of professional experience
Extensive knowledge of the Government of Lao system of government and administration; experience working with Ministries, Divisions and Departments and mass movements in Laos at all levels.
Experience in representation in Laos with government, Embassies and diplomatic missions, donors and development partners.
Excellent negotiation skills and experience in negotiating formal agreements or approvals.
Strong communication (oral and written) skills, including preparing formal letters and communiques with government. String ability in record and note keeping.
Demonstrated organization and interpersonal skills, including working with a team of diverse colleagues.
Ability to manage a portfolio of multiple tasks with deadlines.
Willingness to travel to remote areas of Laos.

Desirable:

Experience working with government at a senior level
Experience in working with INGOs in Laos