Internship Opportunity (Paid)

The Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular Agency in Laos designs and steers the Government of Switzerland’s bilateral development programme in Lao PDR. We support the Lao Government in reducing poverty and in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) gives priority to sustainable and equitable development, especially in rural areas with minorities, to governance reforms favouring the poor and disadvantaged, to gender equity, and to social justice. We are a Swiss-Lao team of highly motivated professionals looking for a dynamic Lao National to work with the SDC projects in Luang Prabang and Bokeo provinces, to fill the position of:

Junior Program Officer (JPO) from an ethnic minority group

Two-year fixed-term contract (1 August 2025 – 31 July 2027)

According to the Swiss Cooperation Programme for the Mekong Region 2022-2026, the SDC is supporting three portfolios in the field of Governance and Citizen Participation (GCP); Climate Change and Natural Resource Management (CCNRM); and Inclusive Economic Development (IED). In addition, the transversal crosscutting themes of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, Good Governance and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction have consistently been applied throughout the three portfolios and their programmes in contributing to the poverty reduction in Lao PDR.

We are looking for two Junior Program Officers (JPOs) who have a degree or certificate in the field of political/social science, rural development, gender equality, social inclusion, or other related fields. The key objective is to provide to a young non-Lao loum professional the opportunity to gain experience working with an international development cooperation organization funded by the SDC. This experience should help to find a job outside the SDC after termination of the 2 years contract. 

In collaboration with the SDC project partners, the JPOs will be assigned to work with international and national staffs and involve in the identification, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the SDC supported programmes/projects. The specific roles and responsibilities may vary depending on the specific projects, which include (1) Sustainable Consumption and Production Project (SCP) implemented by Swisscontact in Laos, and (2) the Local Development and Governance Project (LDGP) implemented by LuxDev. The SCP JPO will be based in Luang Prabang, while the LDGP JPO will be based in Bokeo.

Selection Criteria:

1.     Ethnic background from ethnic minority groups

2.     A degree or certificate in in the field of political/social science, rural development, gender equality, social inclusion, skills development, and other related fields or related disciplines;

3.     Written and spoken English Skills (basic or intermediate level);

4.     Demonstrated interest in the field of development and the work of international organizations;

5.     Internet proficiency as well as proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point);

6.     A strong commitment to development; an interest in adapting to varied physical and professional environments; and a desire to work with people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds;

7.     Ability to work in the province of Luang Prabang or Bokeo; ethnic language of Lahu and Akha for the LDGP JPO -is desirable.

The SDC is a value based equal opportunities employer, appointing on merits by open competition. Applications should be in English language submitted to the SDC per email or to the Swiss Cooperation Office as below, including resume/CV (max 2 pages) and cover letter (not more than one page) explaining why we should consider your application for this position.

Subject: “Vacancy Announcement – Ethnic JPOs”   

Please submit a copy electronically to: vientiane@eda.admin.ch

Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular Agency in Laos 

House 192 / 1 Sibounheuang Road 

Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital

For additional information about SDC activities in Lao PDR, please visit: 

Website: www.eda.admin.ch/laos   

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SwissCooperationMekong

The deadline for applications is Sunday, 25 May 2025.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview. The SDC does not return application files.

Are you an experienced finance professional ready to take the next step in your career? Join our dynamic team as Finance Officer and contribute to impactful regional projects.

We are the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) an international cooperation agency within the government of Switzerland. SDC partners with local governments, international organizations, and civil society to implement impactful humanitarian and development programs worldwide.

Position: Finance Officer

Location: Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular Agency in Vientiane, Laos
Employment Type: Full-Time

We are looking for a professional with: proven work experience as a Finance Officer or similar role, solid knowledge of financial and accounting procedures and strong analytical abilities. Your responsibilities will include:

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyses project budgets and ensures proper documentation
• Analyses financial reports and audit reports of projects and ensures proper documentation
• Checks partner audits on conformity with requested ToRs and quality of audit and auditing organizations
• Advises National Program Officer in financial matters
• Prepares project payments and verify conformity with contracts and internal regulations
• Evaluating and managing risk involves conducting comprehensive partner risk assessments and joining field trip visits to ensure a thorough understanding of potential challenges and mitigation strategies

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in financial analysis, auditing, or budget management, preferably within the non-profit or development sector.
• Strong knowledge of financial management principles, including budget and financial report analysis and auditing standards
• Strong attention to detail to ensure the accuracy and quality of financial documentation.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple tasks efficiently.
• Fluency in English is essential, excellent verbal and written communication skills for providing financial advice and preparing detailed reports

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a motivated team dedicated to regional development.
• Opportunities for career growth and international collaboration.
• Contribute to impactful projects that make a real difference.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to send their CV and cover letter to vientiane@eda.admin.ch by 07.02.2025. For more information about our organization, visit this Website.

Take this opportunity to make a lasting impact!

Are you an experienced finance professional ready to take the next step in your career? Join our dynamic team as Senior Finance Officer and contribute to impactful regional projects.

We are the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) an international cooperation agency within the government of Switzerland. SDC partners with local governments, international organizations, and civil society to implement impactful humanitarian and development programs worldwide.

Location: Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular Agency in Vientiane, Laos
Employment Type: Full-Time

Key Responsibilities:

As the Senior Finance Officer, you will play a pivotal role in supervising the financial activities of a team of Finance Officers and ensuring compliance with internal controls, policies, and regulations. Your responsibilities will include:

Project Financial Management:

• Lead the financial planning, monitoring, and closing of projects and report to the Head of Finance

Financial Supervision:

• Oversee the day-to-day financial operations handled by the Finance Officers, including budget management, cash flow monitoring, and account reconciliations.

Internal Controls and Compliance:

• Supervise the implementation of internal control systems and ensure adherence to financial policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with local and international financial regulations and standards.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Provide leadership, training, and mentorship to the Finance Officers to enhance their skills and performance.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing work environment within the finance team.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with internal and external auditors.

Support to the Head of Finance

• Support the Head of Finance in overseeing all financial operations for the Mekong Region, ensuring accurate reporting and financial stability.
• Actively participate in and contribute to key financial projects in collaboration with the Head of Finance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, or Economics: A foundational degree in a finance-related field is required
• Extensive experience in Financial Management: At least 7-10 years of progressive experience in financial management, ideally within the development, non-profit, or donor sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and collaborate effectively with teams and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Expertise in interpreting complex financial data and offering actionable strategic guidance.
• Proficiency in English is mandatory

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a motivated team dedicated to regional development.
• Opportunities for career growth and international collaboration.
• Contribute to impactful projects that make a real difference.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to send their CV and cover letter to vientiane@eda.admin.ch by 31.01.2025. For more information about our organization, visit this Website.

Take this opportunity to make a lasting impact!