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TitleStrengthening BDS Providers and Value Chains for Women’s
Economic Empowerment
StatusPrequalification
PositionInternational and Regional Experts
Origin of fundingGIZ
Duration04/2026 - 10/2028

Contact

Please send your CV to:

pem@pem-consult.de

 

In Laos, women play a significant role in the economy, accounting for an estimated 25–35% of business ownership. Nevertheless, the majority of these enterprises are concentrated in the informal sector, where incomes are low and access to social protection, markets, and finance is limited. The challenges are even greater for women from rural, low-income, or ethnic minority communities, who often face additional barriers such as lower levels of education, insecure land rights, and reduced control over productive assets.

The project “Economic participation of women in Lao PDR (EMPOWER)” aims to improve the economic participation of women in selected provinces of Laos. Geographically, the focus is on the rural provinces of Luang Namtha in the north and Salavan in the south, with Champasak identified as a potential sales market. Additional opportunities are anticipated in the Prefecture of Vientiane and the adjacent Vientiane Province. The sectoral focus is informed by a needs assessment, which identified
strong potential in local and traditional crafts (such as textiles, ceramics, and weaving) as well as in small-scale agricultural and food processing. The target group consists of economically active women in these selected provinces and sectors, including women operating in the informal economy and micro-entrepreneurs. Special consideration is given to women in vulnerable situations, including those experiencing multiple forms of discrimination, women from ethnic minority groups, and women with disabilities.

The project takes a holistic approach that includes strengthening gender-equitable reform processes and policy frameworks, improving gender-responsive support services, promoting local value chains with high female participation, and increasing the visibility of women’s economic contributions. 

Experts' Profiles:

1.  Team Leader 
Main tasks: Ensure quality and timely delivery of outputs, enhance coordination and communication with GIZ and all stakeholders

General and specific professional experience:

  • University degree - Masters Degree or German Diplom in economics, business administration, business management, political science, international management, gender studies or environmental studies 
  • Knowledge of English C2-level 
  • 7 years of professional experience in private sector development and MSME support
  • 7 years of professional experience relating to entrepreneurship development, 5 years of experience working on business development services and 5 years of experience working on market systems and value chains 
  • 6 years of management experience in projects, companies or other organisations 
  • 6 years of regional experience in Europe 
  • 4 years of professional experience in Asia and 2 years of professional experience in Southeast Asia
  • 5 years of experience in development cooperation projects
  • 4 years of experience working in women economic empowerment  

Key Expert 2: Technical local expert for value chains, product development, producer
groups & market access 

General and specific professional experience:

  • University degree (e.g. bachelor) in economics, business administration, innovation management, logistics, rural development, logistics or food technology
  • Knowledge of Lao C2-level, English C1-level and one Lao’s ethnic minorities languages
    C1-level
  • 7 years of professional experience in private sector development and MSME support with a strong track record in market systems and value chains 
  • 5 years of professional experience in stakeholder convening and group (re)organisation incl. development of governance structures, 5 years of experience in innovative product design  and 5 years of experience in market access & deal brokerage 
  • 5 years of professional experience in Laos
  • 4 years of experience in development cooperation projects
  • 2 years of experience working in women economic empowerment

Pool 1 with regional/national experience: Gender-responsive and transformative service portfolio development of service providers / intermediary organisations 

Education:

  • All experts with bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration/management, political science, international management, gender studies, or environmental studies

Language skills:

  • All experts: English C1
  • 1 expert: Lao C2
  • 1 expert: minority language C1
  • 1 expert: regional language C1 (e.g. Thai, Vietnamese)

General professional experience:

  • All experts: minimum 5 years in business development services, support services, service provider market development, and capacity-building interventions

Specialised experience:

  • 1 expert with 3 years in business, organisational, and financial services
  • 1 expert with 3 years in green and digital services
  • 1 expert with 3 years in technical services in the target sectors
  • 1 expert with 3 years in business model development
  • 2 experts with 3 years in women’s economic empowerment
  • 2 experts with 3 years in development cooperation projects

Regional experience:

  • 2 experts with 4 years of professional experience in Laos
  • 1 expert with 4 years of professional experience in Southeast Asia (excluding Laos)

     

     

      Pool 2 with regional/national experience: Value chains, product development & market access 

      Education:

      • 2 experts with a bachelor’s degree in economics, business, management, innovation, logistics, or supply chain
      • 2 experts with a bachelor’s degree in food processing, agriculture, rural development, fashion, or textile technology

      Language skills:

      • All experts: English C1
      • 1 expert: Lao C2
      • 1 expert: minority language C1
      • 1 expert: regional language C1 (e.g. Thai, Vietnamese)

      Professional experience:

      • 2 experts with 5 years in value chain development and market access
      • 1 expert with 5 years in innovative product development (agriculture/food processing)
      • 1 expert with 5 years in innovative product development (traditional crafts)
      • 2 experts with 3 years in branding and digital commerce
      • 1 expert with 3 years in logistics, packaging, and shipping
      • 1 expert with 3 years in physical retail setup and operations
      • 1 expert with 3 years in innovative facilitation methods (e.g. design thinking)
      • 2 experts with 3 years in business model development
      • 1 expert with 3 years in women’s economic empowermen
      • 2 experts with 3 years in development cooperation projects

      Regional experience:

      • 2 experts with 4 years of experience in Laos
      • 1 expert with 4 years of experience in Southeast Asia (excluding Laos)