UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF’s mandate, mission and unique attributes provide a strategic advantage in promoting and supporting transformational change to achieve sustainable coverage at scale. After more than 45 years in Lao PDR, UNICEF Lao PDR UNICEF is one of the longest-serving international organizations in the country plays an important role in supporting the government, advocating for reform and leading coordination to scale-up results.

Lao PDR has been facing major economic hardships, mainly due to protracted macroeconomic instability, and social sectors and services are severely affected. In 2024, the education budget was one of the lowest in recent years, being among the lowest in the world and in ASEAN countries. The negative impact of the economic hardships is clearly reflected in the recent alarming declines in school enrolment rates at all levels, and a significant increase in the number of out-of-school population both at the primary level (13.8% out-of-school) and lower secondary level (29.1% out-of-school). This in turn has led to fuelling the already-existing severe learning crisis and exacerbating inequalities in Lao PDR where children, particularly the most disadvantaged, including non-Lao speakers, lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills (only 11% [reading] and 32% [mathematics] of Grade 5 students have the minimum proficiency in 2024). Additionally, many adolescents are left behind lacking essential skills for work and life, including digital skills, green skills and 21st century skills.

This UNV assignment is to support the planning and implementation of the UNICEF Lao PDR’s Education Programme to tackle those key challenges, as part of the UNICEF Country Programme 2022-2026 and the transition to the new Country Programme 2027-2031. The Country Programme 2022-2026 aims that by 2026, more children, including adolescents, especially the most disadvantaged, are better prepared for school and have improved learning outcomes and skills to achieve their full potential. UNICEF’s support covers Early Childhood Development (ECD)/Early Childhood Education (ECE), Primary Education and Secondary Education. UNICEF works for both upstream work (policies, curriculum, standards, system strengthening and evidence generation, etc) as well as the downstream work at provincial, district, school and community levels (teachers and education workforce capacity development, service delivery, demand creation and community empowerment etc,), strengthening the linkages at all levels and translating policies into actions. UNICEF promotes cross-sectoral approach and thereby support children and adolescents’ learning, upskilling and development holistically.

UNICEF works with the Lao Government, particularly the MoES and in coordination with other line Ministries and government institutions, both at the national and sub-national (provincial and district) levels. UNICEF also engages various partners, including other UN agencies and bilateral and multilateral organizations, NGOs, civil society organizations (CSOs), academia and private sectors. On the ground, UNICEF partners with mass organizations (such as Lao Women’s Union, Lao Youth Union and Lao Front) and reaches out to schools and communities, including those in remote and most disadvantaged. The direct beneficiaries include school-aged children (ECE, primary and secondary education), their teachers, principals, education administrators, parents and caregivers.

Under the direct supervision of Chief of Education, UNICEF Lao PDR, the UNV will contribute to supporting the planning, implementation and coordination of the UNICEF’s Education Programme that enhances the capacity of the government, implementing partners and other duty bearers to enhance learning outcomes and skills development of children and adolescents. This would include engagement and empowerment of children and adolescents as well as parents and communities. In doing so, the UNV will work as part the Education team and in close coordination with other sections of UNICEF Lao PDR, in liaise with the government and other stakeholders.

More specifically, the UNV will undertake the following key tasks (not limited to):

• Support for Communication - Support communication and documentation of the progress and impact of Education Programme’s interventions, including those for donor reporting, fundraising and advocacy purposes.

• Support in Monitoring &Evaluation (M&E), and Knowledge Management in Education - contribute to the government and UNICEF’s in-house capacity improvement in M&E, and knowledge generation and management. This includes (not limited to) assistance with education research, studies and evaluations.

• Support for (Sub) Sector Coordination – Provide assistance to enhancing UNICEF’s capacity to contribute to improved coordination and effectiveness of the Education Sector Working Group (ESWG) mechanism, including Early Childhood Education (Focal Group 1), Basic Education Focal Group (Focal Group 2), Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and the UN Education Result Group, etc.

• Other Tasks - Contribute to other Programme related tasks as appropriate, including (not limited to) inputs to annual reviews, MoES-UNICEF Rolling Work Plans, development of funding proposals, donor visits, annual reports, etc.