Green Enterprise Development & Ecosystem Engagement (Lao PDR) Consultant

The ultimate result of service is the delivery of the Lao Green Business Programme (LGBP) 2026 as a coherent and results-oriented green enterprise development programme in Lao PDR, including completion of market research and opportunity mapping, incubation of approximately 15 early-stage enterprises, acceleration of approximately 8 higher-potential alumni enterprises, and convening of one Lao Green Business Forum. The assignment shall result in strengthened enterprise business foundations, improved market and growth readiness, stronger visibility and ecosystem linkages, and clearer pathways toward future financing and partnership opportunities for participating green and forest-linked enterprises.

Home-based- Lao PDR

10 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Under the overall supervision of UNEP and in close coordination with relevant project stakeholders, the consultant will undertake the technical design and delivery of the Lao Green Business Programme (LGBP) 2026 in Lao PDR. The consultant will provide expert services for the implementation of an integrated green enterprise development programme comprising: (i) market research and opportunity mapping for green and forest-linked enterprises; (ii) delivery of an incubation programme for approximately 15 early-stage enterprises; (iii) delivery of an acceleration programme for approximately 8 higher-potential alumni enterprises; and (iv) design and convening of the Lao Green Business Forum as a national ecosystem engagement and visibility platform. The assignment will generate practical and evidence-based outputs that strengthen enterprise market readiness, growth pathways, partnership opportunities, and future financing readiness within Laos’ green business ecosystem. In particular, the consultant will: • conduct market research and opportunity mapping on green business sectors in Lao PDR, including analysis of buyer preferences, product trends, pricing dynamics, market barriers, and relevant distribution opportunities, and produce a market insights report to inform programme delivery; • design enterprise selection criteria, assessment tools, and onboarding methodology for incubation and acceleration participants in line with programme objectives and eligibility requirements; • develop and deliver the incubation methodology for early-stage green and forest-linked enterprises, including enterprise diagnostics, structured learning content, practical coaching, expert sessions, and field-based learning activities focused on business model strengthening, product positioning, pricing, branding, market understanding, financial planning, and impact articulation; • develop and deliver the acceleration methodology for higher-potential alumni enterprises, including acceleration diagnostics, enterprise-specific roadmaps, tailored coaching, and targeted technical sessions on growth strategy, domestic market expansion, governance readiness, financial readiness, and investment or grant preparedness; • produce enterprise-level diagnostic profiles, roadmaps, progress documentation, and programme learning materials for both incubation and acceleration cohorts; • design and convene the Lao Green Business Forum as a national platform for enterprise showcase, ecosystem dialogue, market linkage, knowledge dissemination, and visibility of participating enterprises; • prepare forum content, stakeholder engagement approach, enterprise presentation materials, and programme learning products to ensure the event generates substantive ecosystem and enterprise-level value; • synthesize lessons, findings, and enterprise progress emerging from the market research, incubation, acceleration, and forum components into high-quality narrative and analytical reporting for UNEP; • deliver all agreed outputs, documentation, and final reporting in accordance with the approved workplan, timeline, and quality expectations of UNEP.

Education: • A bachelor’s degree or higher in business administration, entrepreneurship, environmental management, sustainable development, economics, innovation, international development, engineering, or a related field is required. • Advanced academic qualifications, combined with substantial professional experience in green business incubation, enterprise acceleration, entrepreneurship ecosystem development, innovation management, or related fields, will be considered an asset. Expereince: • A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in green business incubation, enterprise acceleration, entrepreneurship development, innovation programme management, or related fields is required. • Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering incubation, acceleration, or enterprise support programmes for startups, SMEs, or green businesses is required. • Experience working with government institutions, development partners, private sector stakeholders, and entrepreneurs in Lao PDR is required. • Experience in market access, ecosystem building, partnership development, or investment readiness is desirable.

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. • Fluency in written and spoken Lao is required.

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.