National Consultant for Lao PDR

Organizational Context

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is implementing a technical cooperation project to enhance the capacity of transport policymakers in utilizing digital technologies for resilient and inclusive mobility. This role supports the project's objectives in Lao PDR, focusing on peri-urban areas and digital transformation.

Job Purpose

The National Consultant for Lao PDR will support a UN ESCAP project aimed at strengthening transport policymaker capacity in using digital technologies for resilient and inclusive mobility in peri-urban areas. The role involves coordinating inception meetings, supporting data collection and analysis for assessments on resilient mobility and just transition, facilitating stakeholder consultations, and co-developing a local resilient and inclusive peri-urban mobility plan enabled by digital technologies. The ultimate goal is to improve public transport infrastructure and services, enhance access to essential services for vulnerable communities, and generate new employment opportunities through digital platforms, contributing to social inclusion and economic participation.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the project inception meeting and fact-finding mission in Vientiane, collaborating with the Regional Consultant. Provide support to the Regional Consultant in establishing the Technical Advisory Group. Collect and analyze local data to assist in the assessment of resilient rural-urban and active mobility plans utilizing digital technologies. Support the analysis of just transition and labor force implications of digital transformation, focusing on women's employment in digital mobility services. Facilitate national stakeholder consultations and capacity-building workshops to identify challenges and strengthen stakeholder capacity for improving peri-urban mobility, resilience, and social inclusiveness. Initiate and co-develop a local resilient and inclusive peri-urban mobility plan with local authorities and the Regional Consultant, leveraging digital technologies and existing ESCAP knowledge products.

Work Experience

Requires at least 5 years of experience in development projects, with a focus on sustainability, transportation, energy, climate finance, or environmental management. Demonstrated ability in data collection, report development, and organizing national/regional meetings and workshops. Experience working with national and local government stakeholders on policy and regulatory frameworks is essential. Ability to collaborate effectively in multi-country teams is also required.

Skills

Data collection and analysis, Technical report writing, Project coordination, Stakeholder consultation and engagement, Capacity building, Urban planning, Mobility policy development, Digital technologies in transport, Just transition analysis, Collaborative teamwork, English proficiency.

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