Technical Specialist

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The National Planning and Financing for Inclusive Development (NPFID) project is UNDP's flagship initiative in supporting the Government of Lao PDR in development policies. Its main objective is to harmonize different aspects of national development planning processes. Specifically, the project aims to improve coordination between the Ministry of Planning and Investment, responsible for planning, and the Ministry of Finance, responsible for financing. Additionally, the project strives to enhance the involvement of Sector Working Groups in the national development planning process to ensure a unified approach to defining priorities and implementing strategies.

Operating with a catalytic approach, the project's ultimate goal is to empower the government to operate independently, reducing dependence on external aid, especially as the country progresses towards graduating from its Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026. In line with this objective, the project is charting a new development path that prioritizes people, drawing insights from UNDP's human development reports and initiatives. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the project aims to mainstream human development considerations into national development plans, promoting a more inclusive and sustainable development approach. Furthermore, the project supports the alignment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation with the National Socio-Economic Development Plans (NSEDPs) and the establishement of conducive conditions to increase government’s public revenue for development through increased tax income and promoting quality private sector investments. 

The NPFID project plays a crucial role as an integrator in the formulation and implementation of national development strategies, aiming to strengthen the government's institutional capacity in both planning and executing development plans. The project has been pivotal in supporting the Mid-Term Review of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and is actively shaping the upcoming 10th NSEDP to be more attainable, with an integrated financing framework that aligns with the country's upcoming graduation from LDC. The project is currently supporting the operationalization of the 9th NSEDP Financing Strategy, with expectation that a similar framework will be integrated into the 10th NSEDP. 

Through various capacity-building initiatives, such as Results-based Management, research capacity building, and foresight capacity, the project aims to equip government’s planning bodies with the necessary skills and tools to formulate development plans that are resilient, risk-informed, and shock-responsive. These initiatives are essential for enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of development plans in the country.

The NPFID project represents the first project by UNDP to bring together three crucial ministries involved in development strategy formulation: the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This collaboration underscores the project's commitment to strengthening the government's capacity in planning and executing development initiatives, ultimately contributing to the country's sustainable development goals. 

Reporting line: The Technical Specialist will report to the Team Leader, Inclusive Growth Unit and work in close coordination with the Department of Planning, Ministry of Planning and Investment. 

The  Technical Specialist will be responsible for all aspects of the project as outlined in the project document, to the required standards of quality and taking into account the implications of time and cost.

Scope of Work 

     Coordinate the integration of national development planning procedures with the Round Table Process (RTP) mechanism

• Collaborate with the RTP secretariat and the NPFID project management team to establish effective linkages between the RTP mechanism and national development