Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
Generic
Somsack Souvannalath

Somsack Souvannalath

Vientiane

Summary

Dynamic project management professional with extensive experience at Plan International Laos, excelling in stakeholder coordination and budget preparation. Proven track record in document revision and meeting facilitation, driving impactful project outcomes. Adept at translating complex ideas into actionable plans, fostering collaboration among diverse partners to achieve strategic objectives.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Coordinator

Plan International Laos
11.2024 - Current
  • Support the preparation of Lasting Laos MoU documents in English and Laos language.
  • Oversee translation of MoU documents in Lao language.
  • Coordinate MoU process between Plan International Laos’ senior management and local partners (i.e., LNCCI).
  • Organize and facilitate consultation meetings and negotiations with relevant GoL departments at district, provincial and ministry levels.
  • Revise documents based on feedback from GoL.
  • Preparation for the project’s inception phase including adding inputs into ToRs (e.g., for baseline) and job descriptions.
  • Oversee finance, admin and procurement procedures as necessary.
  • Work closely with the Chief Technical Advisor on effective communication, proactive identification of issues with local partners and GoL.

Senior Project Coordinator

SUSTOUR Laos Project, Plan International Lao
09.2021 - 10.2024
  • Work closely with the Project Manager in leading project development and delivery, including project planning, preparing budgets and work plans, implementation and monitoring at the National, Provincial and District levels, ensuring substantial impact on the achievement of project, programme and country strategy objectives;
  • Act as the key focal point for coordination and communications between Plan and LNCCI, as well as the tourism associations, relevant government ministries and other development organizations;
  • Support LNCCI with project planning and implementation, including developing and overseeing the implementation of work plans and budgets, ensuring alignment with key project documents; assisting with quarterly narrative progress reports; identifying and resolving any issues or causes for delays in implementation;
  • Takes a leading role on project monitoring and evaluation, including data collection and analysis at the National, Provincial and District levels;
  • Support the Project Manager with reporting and presentations for the donor (EU) and project steering committees, helping to ensure all reporting aligns with key project documents (project proposal, M&E framework, MoU, etc.);
  • Supervise the Vientiane Project Officer, ensuring the quality of program delivery and activity implementation, as well as building their capacity and providing necessary support;
  • Interpret policies and strategies and ensure consistency in the implementation of the programme and country strategies during project planning and implementation.
  • Reviews and approves project administrative, procurement and finance documents such as purchase requests, cash advances, monthly forecasts, etc.

Project Coordinator

Enhancing People Participation through Community Radio project by UNDP l Vientiane Capital
06.2018 - 08.2021
  • Provide support in overseeing the implementation of outputs specified under the project and developing project work plan;
  • Coordinate drafting annual/quarterly work plans, budgets, procurement plans, progress reports, and other required documents in close consultation with Community Radio Stations;
  • Coordinating/liaising with and supporting the Managers of Community Radio Stations in the actual implementation of planned activities
  • Prepare for and organize monthly/quarterly/annually meetings
  • Participate in processes of selection, recruitment and performance management of consultants and volunteers including UNVs
  • Together Conduct a co-fund raising with UNDP

Project Fund Officer

Mekong Region Land Governance Project funded by Swiss Agency for Development
02.2016 - 05.2018
  • Supervise preparation of contract Scope of Services for approved MRLG project activities in Cambodia, Lao, Myanmar and Viet Nam;
  • Supervise the contract award and mobilization process to grantee;
  • Supervise contractor/grantee compliance with MRLG reporting, procurement, and finance management requirements;
  • Liaise and supervise the grantees (government, NGO, private sector) on project operation progress report, and finance against work plan;
  • Undertake project site visits and supervise the preparation of progress, performance and completion reports consistent with MRLG contract and M&E framework requirements;
  • Respond to requests from the M&E Officer for project information and assist in update of the M&E project database as directed ;
  • Report any activities that pose a risk /challenge to the ongoing implementation or completion of project activities.

Communication & Knowledge Management Officer

Social Protection & Sustainable Livelihoods Programme funded by Australia Aid Program l Vientiane Ca
01.2014 - 01.2016
  • Work closely with the International Communication & Knowledge Management Specialist to develop and implement the Policy Engagement and Communications Strategy;
  • Work closely with the Lao Australian Rural Livelihoods Program (LARLP) and Learning Facility to ensure the high visibility of the project component through branding, marketing, communications and outreach activities;
  • Liaise with the Australian embassy, the Government of Lao and the project’s audience in term of progress and results of the project;
  • Collect, analyze and edit documents, articles and research/policy papers from project staff, and beneficiaries for dissemination via the website, social media, press and in-person events, in close collaboration with the LARLP Learning Facility.
  • Developing and designing publication materials for the project including brochures, posters, newsletters, press releases, social media accounts, briefing, branding and style guides.
  • Co-design and develop project website including content in both Lao– and English is continually updated with current project work..
  • Manage and Lead communications activities, to develop key messages from M&E findings for dissemination to a variety of external audiences.

Consultant

Enterprise & Development Consultant Lmt.
02.2012 - 12.2014
  • Designing and arranging a training and workshop and preparing for assigned sessions.
  • Co-conduct training and workshop
  • Providing service for clients on project planning and monitoring
  • Co-conducting research assignments as a research assistant including taking part in designing the research methodology, research questions/ questionnaires, preparing and managing logistics relating to the research implementation, entering data and data analysis writing a research paper/report in Lao and English.
  • Translating documents from English to Lao and from Lao to English, interpreting for an individual or a group of clients in a mission or a business visit, including workshops and meetings.
  • Assist senior consultants in implementing their tasks as requested by managing plan visits, surveys,

Senior Project Officer

Pro-poor Tourism Programme, Netherlands Development Organization (SNV)
05.2010 - 01.2012
  • Develop and implement pro-poor tourism programs aimed at integrating local communities into the tourism value chain.
  • Identify opportunities to promote local products, services, and cultural experiences that can be marketed to tourists.
  • Engage with local communities, tourism businesses, NGOs, and government bodies to foster partnerships that support pro-poor tourism objectives.
  • Work with local communities to build their capacity for managing tourism-related enterprises (e.g., homestays, guided tours, local craft markets).
  • Facilitate participatory processes to ensure that community members are involved in tourism planning and decision-making.
  • Provide technical assistance and training to local community members in tourism-related skills (e.g., hospitality, tour guiding, crafts, and services).
  • Support community-based organizations in developing business models that are tourism-friendly and aligned with local customs and traditions.

Project Officer

Mennonite Central Committee
09.2005 - 04.2010
  • Day-to-day managing project activity;
  • Dialogues with partners to prepare and update yearly work plan, progress and quality programmes;
  • Facilitate, prepare and submit the project implementation report to the Country Director which included progress and annual report;
  • Prepare and submit the project progress report
  • Identify project expenditure against the work plan including budget monitoring;
  • Conduct workshop and training for project beneficiaries and partners;
  • Coordinate closely and support stakeholders/partners to ensure that activities run according to implementing plans.

Education

Certificate of Economic Empowerment - Economic Empowerment

Montana University
Montana
10-2014

Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration

Europe-Asia College
Vientiane, Laos
08-2009

Exchange Program - 1 Year On The Job Training

International Visitor Exchange Program
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
08-2002

Skills

  • Project management
  • Budget preparation
  • Document revision
  • Meeting facilitation
  • Stakeholder coordination
  • Translation services

Languages

lao
First Language
English
Advanced (C1)
C1
Vietnamese
Intermediate (B1)
B1

Accomplishments

  • Project Management for Development Professionals online training course organised by Plan International. August-September 2024.
  • M&E Technical Strgnthenging Training Programme organised by Plan International. September 2024.
  • Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative organized by Department of State, U.S Government, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia/November 19-23, 2015.
  • Microsoft Project Management organized by Asian Institute of Technology, Vientiane, Laos /August 16-18, 2012.
  • Business Development organized by Lao Development Network, Vientiane, Laos November 8-10, 2011.
  • Governance for Rural Sanitation and Hygiene workshop organized by SNV, Kathmandu, Nepal / September 12-20, 2011.
  • Asia Pacific Youth Conference by Initiative of Change International, Melbourne, Australia /July 17-23, 2011.
  • Value Chain Development organized by the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) organized in Vientiane, Laos/March 9-11, 2011.
  • Regional Rural & Economic Development organized by Mekhong Institute (MI), Khonkaen, Thailand/ February 7-12, 2011.
  • Effective Facilitation and Communication Skill organized by Mekhong Institute (MI), Khonkaen, Thailand/January 31-February 4– March 2011.
  • Advisory Learning Program organized by SNV, Kathmandu, Nepal /Nov 14-20, 2010.
  • Consumer Education organized by Consumer Association of Penang (CAP), Penang, Malaysia /May 6-11,2010.
  • Project Cycle Management organized by Concern Worldwide, implemented by Indochina Training and Consultancy, Vientiane, Lao P.D.R /November 3-7,2008.

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Senior Coordinator

Plan International Laos
11.2024 - Current

Senior Project Coordinator

SUSTOUR Laos Project, Plan International Lao
09.2021 - 10.2024

Project Coordinator

Enhancing People Participation through Community Radio project by UNDP l Vientiane Capital
06.2018 - 08.2021

Project Fund Officer

Mekong Region Land Governance Project funded by Swiss Agency for Development
02.2016 - 05.2018

Communication & Knowledge Management Officer

Social Protection & Sustainable Livelihoods Programme funded by Australia Aid Program l Vientiane Ca
01.2014 - 01.2016

Consultant

Enterprise & Development Consultant Lmt.
02.2012 - 12.2014

Senior Project Officer

Pro-poor Tourism Programme, Netherlands Development Organization (SNV)
05.2010 - 01.2012

Project Officer

Mennonite Central Committee
09.2005 - 04.2010

Certificate of Economic Empowerment - Economic Empowerment

Montana University

Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration

Europe-Asia College

Exchange Program - 1 Year On The Job Training

International Visitor Exchange Program

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Somsack Souvannalath