Cord South East Asia
Terms of Reference
Capacity Development Advisor
(National Post)
Application Deadline June 24, 2011
1. Introduction
Cord is an international NGO with offices in the United Kingdom Africa and Asia. Cord first started working
in South East Asia by responding to the Cambodian refugee crisis in 1975, working in the refugee camps
and supporting their repatriation from Thailand to Cambodia. It has since expanded its activities to include
both Burma/Myanmar and Lao PDR. Cord’s focus in South & East Asia is on developing the capacity of civil
society through building long-term partnerships around the challenges of livelihoods, peacebuilding and
education, and the cross-cutting issues of HIV and AIDS, Gender Equality and the Environment.
Building on the model established in Cambodia, Cord is developing a multi-disciplinary capacity
development team based in Vientiane, Laos. This team will provide capacity development and institutional
development to NPA partners and relevant government agencies through mentoring, coaching, training
and advisory/technical support using methodologies which recognise the limitations of standard western
approaches to learning in Asian settings, allow for different learning and organisational models and
incorporate an understanding of how attention to local culture can maximise opportunities for growth and
change.
Cord is now seeking to hire two National Capacity Development Advisors to provide ongoing capacity
development support to Non Profit Associations (NPAs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and government
agencies, specifically the Public Administration Civil Service Authority (PACSA) in several of the following
areas:
Strategic Planning
Organizational Assessment and Design
HR Management
M&E
Proposal Writing and Donor Management
Governance and Board Development
Other areas as specified based on the unique needs of our partners
Position: Capacity Development Advisor (National)
Role: As a part of the multi disciplinary advisor team, the Capacity Development Advisor has a main
role in managing relationships with NPA partners and providing them institutional and organizational
capacity development support in line with their expressed needs.
Location: the Capacity Development Advisor will be based in the Cord office in Vientiane, Laos with
frequent travels to the provinces and to the regional countries as requested.
Primary Responsibilities to Partners
To maintain and manage relationships with multiple NPAs and PACSA partners
To assess and identify the support needed by those partners
To provide technical, program and organizational support in the above mentioned areas
through:
Facilitation and training/workshops,
Ongoing mentoring and coaching
to partners directly and through a team of advisory professionals, within Cord.
Develop and deliver the approach and methodology for working with partners in collaboration
with the Cord team.
Mentor and coach junior staff to develop their own capacity
Other Responsibilities:
Research & Development
To research materials, tools, legislation, best practices and policies on Organisational
Development, Capacity Development, Gender Mainstreaming, Peacebuilding, Livelihoods and
Education in line with the Cord regional strategy for South & East Asia.
Assist in analysing the context of Laos and/or the regional countries.
Programme Development
Participate in developing and reviewing programme strategy and work plans.
Assist in the development of program policies/guidelines and tools for working with partners
and civil society.
Coordination and Team Work
Participate in Cord team meetings and workshops
Share experience and lesions learnt with the team in order to promote the learning environment
within Cord.
Networking
Attend NPA network activities and INGO Network meetings.
Accountability
The Capacity Development Advisor will report directly to the Cord Laos Country Director
Other Assignments
Assist in other matters as requested.
Values and Behavior
Openness to learn
Team mentoring, learning and support
Honesty
Interest and enthusiasm to see the success of civil society in Lao PDR.
Qualifications:
Expected:
University degree in related subject. Advanced degree preferred.
Experience working at the program management level or above.
Understanding of development principles and practices.
Strong facilitation/training skills and experience
Expertise in one or more of the following areas: strategic planning, M&E, HR management, Board
development/governance, proposal development and donor management etc.
Excellent English language ability
Preferred:
Experience in participatory methods (Participatory Action Research or Participatory Rural Appraisal)
Understanding of Human Rights-based approaches to development
Some specialized experience in one or more of the following:
o Gender
o HIV/AIDS
o Livelihoods,
o Community Development
o Other key development areas
Experience managing and overseeing budgets.
To apply please send CV and cover letter to info@Cordlaos.org . Deadline for submission is June 24, 2011