Context

GRET is an international solidarity organization whose goal is to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations and promote social justice, while preserving our planet. Founded in 1976, the association is now present in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Its areas of expertise are diverse: natural resources, essential services, cities and housing, integration and employment, nutrition and health, food systems, land governance, and inclusive economics and finance.

GRET’s actions are based on an action-research approach, co-construction with communities, and the creation of relationships with a vast network of partners. By sharing their experiences and knowledge, its teams also contribute to the evolution of public policies and development practices.

In both its interventions and its internal operations, GRET advocates gender equality and democratic participation. The association is also particularly committed to preserving biodiversity and combating climate change. GRET has been working in Laos since 2004 and encourages local initiatives and know-how in a participatory approach to meet the basic needs of the population. National and international experts form a multidisciplinary team that works on a wide range of issues in a dynamic of skills transfer.

Job Description

This call for applications is to support the Lao Local Essential Services (SEL) program team. The SEL program includes water, sanitation, and solid waste management projects. nature-based solutions. More specifically, the position will mainly support three projects in the province of Luang Prabang.

• SEWIT 3: Supporting the extension of water supply in Luang Prabang province, phase 3. SEWIT project is aiming at supporting the Provincial Nampapa to build new water supply services in rural priority areas.
• WISE II: Wetlands Improvement and Sanitation Enhancement in Luang Prabang city. This project is aiming at improving wastewater management in the wetland areas and to restore keys functions of the urban ponds of Luang Prabang.

As part of WISE II, GRET Laos is implementing an innovative urban development project focused on wastewater treatment improvements, nature-based solutions (NBS), and sustainable urban planning to increase climate resilience of Luang Prabang city. We seek to balance conventional engineering approaches with environmentally sustainable alternatives.

GRET is looking for a Junior Engineer with expertise in sanitation, wastewater treatment plant, nature-based solutions, on-site sanitation systems to support our technical team in the design and supervision of sustainable infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in conventional engineering while being passionate about innovative, ecological approaches to urban sanitation challenges.

The junior engineer will work with the team on a large diversity of activities according to the priorities of the project implementation and the needs of the team, with a primary focus on the engineering and technical aspects. He/she may also support the SEL team as a whole, on activities implementation.

Duties/Functions

Under the supervision of the country project managers, and program managers in Laos, the junior engineer will work closely with an international technical assistant in carrying out the following activities:

• Support the design of NBS for wastewater treatment and water resource protection adapted to the local context
• Assist in drafting technical specifications and drawings for both green and conventional infrastructure
• Provide technical supervision during implementation phases of water and sanitation projects;
• Support when needed water quality testing campaigns in the drainage system of Luang Prabang
• Collaborate with senior engineers on feasibility studies, detailed designs and on-site visits for technical assessments
• Participate in site inspections and quality control
• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of implemented solutions
• Prepare technical reports and documentation
• Support knowledge sharing on NBS within the team and with stakeholders
• Supporting the team on an ad hoc basis for clearly defined needs validated by the national project manager and the head office program manager;

Profile required

The position is open to technical/engineering profiles:

Qualifications

• Min. Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or related field
• Strong scientific background in environmental sciences

Experiences

• 1-3 years of experience in water and sanitation projects and working with environmental utilities;
• Experience in works supervision
• Basic Knowledge of nature-based solutions for urban water management (constructed wetlands, bioswales, raingardens, etc.)
• Very good understanding of conventional sanitation infrastructure design and implementation
• Proficiency in relevant technical design software
• Ability to read and produce technical drawings
• Ability to read and produce technical requirements
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication skills both written and verbal
• Master’s degree in relevant engineering discipline
• Knowledge of climate change adaptation approaches in urban contexts
• Understanding of local building practices and materials
• Experience in project supervision and contractor management

Preferred qualifications

Personal skills and interest

• Professional command of English, oral and written, is required;
  • Good interpersonal skills and a taste for working in a multicultural team;
  • Rigor in work and organization;
  • Autonomous with good organizational skills and ability to manage priorities;
  • Innovative thinker who challenges conventional approaches
  • Comfortable working with both ecological solutions and traditional engineering methods
  • Strong team player with the ability to work independently when required
  • Highly detail-oriented and methodical in work supervision
  • Committed to meeting deadlines and thrives under pressure
  • Enjoys taking on technical challenges and finding solutions
  • Adaptable to changing project requirements and local constraints
  • Willing to work in remote areas when necessary
  • Passionate about sustainable development and environmental protection

Gret is committed to people with disabilities and actively fights against all forms of discrimination. This vacancy is open to anyone with the required profile.

Conditions, remuneration (allowances), duration

The Junior Engineer will work under the responsibility of the WISE and SEWIT Project Managers in Laos. He/she will respect all security instructions and the organization of the work of GRET’s representation in Laos

• Duty Station: Luang Prabang Municipality with some travel to the project’s intervention villages in remote areas
• Start Date: August 2025
• Type of contract: 7 months, renewable
• Compensation: to be discussed
• Social security coverage: Health insurance, and other benefits.

Contact

Please send your CV and covering letter as soon as possible and before 5th of August. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Applications should be sent in English to the following address: [email protected], indicating in the subject line “Recruitment_Junior Engineer_SEL-LAOS”.

Only selected candidates will be contacted. Candidates whose applications are selected will be offered an interview (by video conference).