Location: Vientiane

Deadline for submitting the application: 08/04/2026 

Start date: 01/06/2026 

Contract type: Limited 

Contract term (months): 18.00 

1.                                 BACKGROUND

The Lao and Luxembourg governments decided, for the fifth Lao-Luxembourg Indicative Cooperation Programme (ICP V), to maintain and deepen collaboration nationally, but with emphasis on the provinces of Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane, through following four sectoral programmes (2023-2027) with a total budget of approximately 116.5 MEUR, as follows:

1. Health and Nutrition (H&N) with a budget of ca. 35,8 MEUR;
2. Local Development (LD) with a budget of ca. 34 MEUR (including Swiss co-financing);
3. Skills for Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry (STAF) with a budget of ca. 25 MEUR (including Swiss and European Union co-financing);
4. Rule of Law, Access to Justice and Good Governance (ROLAG) with a budget of 11,5 MEUR.

Both governments also agreed to seek strong linkages between the four programmes to optimise synergy and impact. The earmarked interventions are interconnected through a common human capital development approach towards sustainable results. This is the foundation of ICP V, and is key to contributing to the eradication of extreme poverty and strengthened socio-economic inclusion in the target areas.

The Health and Nutrition programme is the continuation and further expansion of two previous healthcare support initiatives named Lao-Luxembourg health sector support programme (LL-HSSP). The programme will work in close cooperation with the United Nations Joint Programme (UNJP), especially at the provincial level in the fields of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and nutrition.

The duration of the sectoral programme is set at five years comprising a total budget of 46.3 MEUR, including 4.5 MEUR for Aide au Développement de la Santé (ADS), a Luxembourg non-governmental organization (NGO) working for more than 20 years in Lao PDR in the field of cardiology.

The programme will predominantly contribute to the long term change objective that Lao people have access to an essential health service package (including RMNCAH and nutrition services) of adequate quality and affordable to all, leaving no one behind, whereby (i) Lao people do indeed have “access” to those health services, (ii) those health services are affordable to all, and (iii) those health services provided to Lao people are of good quality.

The programme will uphold a geographic focus on all districts in the three provinces of Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane Province but aims to deepen interventions to enhance overall effectiveness and efficiency. Programme expansion to Bokeo province will interface with a parallel Luxembourg-financed Local Development programme as well as the UNJP.

For good quality health service to be provided to Lao people, eight broad areas of intervention are described as part of the ToC pathway, each contributing to Human Resources Capital Development (HRCD).

Overall, the ICP V sectoral programme aims at creating favourable conditions for institutional and technical sustainability with (i) the accent put on HRCD, training and capacity development activities, (ii) an emphasis on embedding supported activities into the national management structures and (iii) the institutionalisation and expansion of the Joint Participatory Mechanism i.e. a “multiplication” co-financing apparatus between Laos and Luxembourg to finance health care operations and out-of-pocket expenses at grassroots level in the participating provinces.

Regarding the national level, the Health and Nutrition programme will closely work together with other bilateral and multilateral actors in the sector to ensure Luxembourg interventions are harmonized, including in policy dialogue, practical collaboration and coordination.

In March 2025, the H&N Programme (LAO/035) received additional funding support for infrastructure improvement in Bolikhamxay, Bokeo and Khammouane provinces amounting to 8 MEUR. With hospital construction works already taking place in Vientiane Province, the need for the HIA is pivotal.

2.                                 OBJECTIVES

The Deputy Senior Sectoral Adviser (DSSA) supports the Senior Sectoral Adviser (SSA) in the overall management and implementation of the Health and Nutrition Programme (LAO/035), based in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, ensuring operational efficiency and supporting programme delivery. The DSSA is directly responsible for the management of finance, administrative, HR, M&E and communication aspects of the programme and supervises the Finance and Accounting Officer(s), the Administrative Programme Support Officer(s) and the Junior Technical Adviser (JTA)

The DSSA represents LuxDev in the implementation structure of LAO/035, backstopping on strategic leadership, external engagement and high-level coordination when required. 

The DSSA promotes LuxDev’s values in the field. They pass LuxDev’s main mission, namely capacity building. They participate in the implementation of the Agency’s vision. In this view they ensure that all processes defined by the Agency are implemented in accordance with the Agency’s Quality Manual (QM) and Field Manual for Laos.

The DSSA receives delegation of signature authority on the project bank account opened in the implementation country. The DSSA is the representative of the donor (first-level authority jointly with the SSA) for the execution of financial commitments of the Luxembourg Government’s contribution to this project.

3.                                 RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the SSA in planning, implementing, and monitoring programme activities in line with the TFD and Annual Operational Plans and assist in preparing operational reports, progress updates, and briefings for the SSA and stakeholders.
• Support to prepare, follow up and conclude Operational Partnership Agreements (OPAs) and the revision of Technical Financial Document (TFD)
• Oversee day-to-day programme operations, including logistics, travel, field missions, procurement support, activity implementation and ensure compliance with LuxDev operational and financial policies, procedures, and donor requirements.
• Supervise and guide the JTA and Finance-Administration team and support the recruitment of project staff and experts.
• Provide technical support to provincial and district counterparts, including mentoring, coaching, and facilitating trainings.
• Support the organization and implementation of Programme Steering Committee Meetings.
• Support in the facilitation of auditing work, participate in auditors’ briefings / debriefings, support implementation of recommendations in the given timeframe.
• Support the SSA in expenditure follow-up. Authorize payments according to programme activities, authorize financial commitments, ane ensuring financial operations are documented as per LuxDev procedures.
• Monitor programme progress, identify challenges, and propose corrective actions to maintain operational and technical quality.
• Support risk assessment and mitigation planning for operational, financial, and technical aspects of the programme.
• Support and guide LAO/035 staff, ensuring professional development, performance assessment, and efficient task execution.
• Contribute to capacity-strengthening initiatives for national and provincial counterparts across individual, organizational, and enabling environment levels.
• Support knowledge management, experience sharing, and documentation of lessons learned from programme implementation.
• Supervise LAO/035 communication activities.
• In coordination with the SSA, represent the Agency within the parameters defined in the agreements between LuxDev, the partner and the embassy, as well as any relevant clause in the TFD.

4.                                 PROFILE

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Public Health, Health Management, Health Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience in international development, including 3 years in health systems strengthening, or public health programmes.
• At least 3 years in a senior management or technical advisory role, preferably in multi-component programmes.
• Proven experience in operational management, including administration, finance, HR and procurement in a development or health programme.
• Demonstrated experience in technical programme implementation, M&E, and capacity development initiatives.
• Experience in liaising with government counterparts, development partners, and multi-stakeholder programmes.
• Previous work experience in Laos or knowledge of Lao language will be an advantage.