South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)
The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: SEMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.
In 2022, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 95.7 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.
The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.
UNOPS in Lao PDR
Established in 2017, but with a portfolio tracing back to 2007, UNOPS Lao PDR provides expert support to the Government of Lao PDR to ensure sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure activities in projects. With funding from various partners, such as Japan, the US, Korea, Luxembourg, Russia, the UK, and the Global Fund, UNOPS has implemented projects in the areas of health, rule of law, and sustainable tourism sectors. UNOPS EAPMCO is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in partnerships with different development partners, focussing on programs in the area of infrastructure development, fund management, and expert advice, with a focus on health, environment, governance, and digital transformations. For that, UNOPS is looking for qualified and committed experts who can contribute to fulfilling UNOPS mandate in the country and support the Government of Lao PDR in meeting its development aspirations.
Project Background Information
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL). Affairs of the U.S. Department of State provides support designated to enhance the Government of the Lao PDR’s capability to interdict trafficked goods, including drugs, wildlife, and persons; improve border security; and combat transnational crime, including financial crimes. Due to the Lao PDR’s central geographic location and its approximately 3,000 miles of land and riverine borders shared with China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, infrastructure improvements in the country have subjected it to increased threats from transnational crime. In cooperation with INL, the Department of Customs (DoC) of Lao PDR worked to improve border security, and in so doing, combat transnational crime.
These efforts are critically important for many reasons, including surging production of methamphetamine in Myanmar, increasing border security in neighbouring countries, altering trafficking routes through the Lao PDR, enduring local demand for illegally trafficked wildlife, and increasing demand due to rapid economic development and integration into the regional economy. One of the U.S. Embassy of Vientiane’s top priorities is to support the Government of the Lao PDR’s efforts to strengthen border security and professionalize the police force.
The first phase of the project funded by the Department of State (DoS) - INL in Lao PDR, was implemented by UNOPS between 2020 and 2024, and included the construction of two warehouses for seized contraband goods (one in Vientiane and one in Luang Namtha) as well as the design of a new headquarter building and training center for the Department of Custom. UNOPS Lao PDR recently signed phase 2 of the project which includes the construction of this new headquarter and training center building as well as some minor construction works and equipment to complete the warehouse in Luang Namtha province. The new seven-storey office building construction will follow the recently completed design as part of phase 1.
The Project Manager for infrastructure projects will be managing project(s) whose ultimate goal is to deliver infrastructure physical assets or technical outputs. Those infrastructures are diverse and range from educational and health facilities to roads, bridges, irrigation systems or ports. While the complexity of those may vary, maintaining high standards in terms of quality, health, safety, and sustainability is always expected.
Depending on the nature and configuration of the project, the Project Manager might be executing technical studies, reviews, designs, supervision, or operation and maintenance services of one or several physical infrastructure assets, in one or multiple sites. Depending on the implementation modality, it may involve large volumes of procurement of goods, services, and HR services.
UNOPS operates in complex contexts where resources might be scarce, local capacity low, and where professional judgment and experience in these environments are of uttermost importance.
Project Managers (Infrastructure) at this level are expected to manage infrastructure implementation projects that are of low to moderate complexity from stakeholder management, financial management, risk management, governance, resource management, and quality management perspectives.