Vietnam and Lao PDR share borders and water resources at Ma and Neun/Ca river basins. The Ma and Neun/Ca catchments support a large range of biodiverse landscapes and a high number of ecologically distinct and significant sites. This rich network provides all the ecosystem services demanded by over 8.5 million people (2018). That whole system is at risk from human pressures and the changing climate. Continuing ‘business-as-usual’ offers no realistic solution for the future, behaviours need to change to restore the equilibrium between the catchments’ renewable resources and the human pressures. Changing behaviours that create pressures and changing approaches to resource management will require a range of interventions, especially targeting transboundary issues. The overall project Fostering Water and Environmental Security in the Ma and Neun/Ca Transboundary River Basins and Related Coastal Areas is funded by GEF-7 and was requested by the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environmental (MONRE) from both Viet Nam and Lao PDR with the main objective is “To enable Viet Nam and Lao PDR to address freshwater resource management and ecosystem health in the transboundary Ma and the Neun/Ca river basins and coastal zones by creating an enabling environment for transboundary cooperation and action”.

The upcoming programme will contribute to the overall project by strengthening consensus among countries on key transboundary concerns, including climate change and variability. The programme will also generate the evidence needed to ensure the most appropriate interventions are identified and supported by the relevant stakeholders, ultimately for implementation. The evidence includes comparison of current trends and scenarios, evaluation of environmental flows. The team leader will oversee the programme, manage a team of 15 professionals in both countries as well as stakeholder relations.

Responsibilities

• Project set-up and design: Establish project structure and procedures, ensuring alignment with organizational guidelines, accounting principles, and donor requirements.
• Project Management: Lead and manage the project team in both Laos and Cambodia, assign deliverables, monitor progress, address deviations, and facilitate project closure and evaluation.
• Technical quality assurance: Ensure the quality of project deliverables and provide technical input to meet the required standards.
• Contract Management & Project Accounting: Ensure compliance with administrative, finance, and HR components of the project. Manage project budget, obtain approvals for contract/budget deviations, and mitigate financial risks.
• People Management & Team Leadership: Guide, develop, and motivate team members.
• Analysis & Reporting: Collect, consolidate, and review project information following monitoring and evaluation guidelines.
• Knowledge Development: Contribute to internal and external knowledge sharing by documenting project insights, attending workshops/conferences, and applying lessons learned.
• Results & KPIs: Ensure structured project management, timely implementation, quality deliverables, compliance with contracts and budget, appropriate staffing, risk mitigation, and insightful reporting.
• Lead and manage impactful water projects in Vietnam (sector leader role). Shape policy, forge strategic partnerships and drive water management and conservation, while being a core member of the Country Management Team and reporting to the Country Director and the Global Water Sector Head.