The Parliamentary Centre of Asia (PCAsia) is seeking for Trainer on Briefing Notes Fundamentals
PARLIAMENTARY CENTRE OF ASIA
The Parliamentary Centre of Asia (PCAsia) is an independent, non-partisan institute dedicated to supporting ASEAN parliaments through tailored capacity development, dialogue platforms, and evidence-based research. PCAsia promotes good parliamentary practice and regional cooperation on shared challenges such as climate change, gender equality, and inclusive economic growth. Through partnerships with ASEAN parliaments, AIPA, and development partners, PCAsia strengthens parliamentary performance by connecting parliaments together and with citizens, contributing to responsive and accountable governance across the region.
PROJECT CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND
This consultancy falls under the “Strengthening Parliamentary Foundations” project implemented with support from CEGGA. The project addresses the high turnover of MPs in the Lao National Assembly and the resulting need for structured induction, support tools, and gender-responsive research processes. Parliamentary staff—especially from the Institute of Legislative Studies (ILS) and Provincial People’s Assemblies (PPAs)—play an essential role in preparing briefing notes and research for MPs but currently face capacity gaps in integrating clear, relevant, and practical gender perspectives into their analyses
Training on Drafting Briefing Notes with a Gender Dimension (Activity 3.1) focuses on building these core skills. Week 1 covers the fundamentals of briefing note preparation; Week 2 addresses integrating gender perspectives, delivered by a separate Gender Specialist trainer. The Briefing Note Fundamentals Trainer will ensure a strong, practical foundation for staff before they move into the gender-integration component.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Under the supervision of the Capacity Development Director, the Trainer on Briefing Note Fundamentals will design and deliver the Week 1 component of Activity 3.1. The trainer will develop practical training content, exercises, templates, and coaching approaches that enable ILS and PPA staff to produce concise, policy-relevant briefing notes for MPs.
The trainer will work closely with PCAsia staff and coordinate with the Gender Specialist responsible for Week 2, ensuring a coherent two-week sequence. The trainer will additionally provide advisory support during Week 2 to help ensure that the gender-integration content is contextually appropriate for the Lao National Assembly.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES / SCOPE OF WORK
A. Training Design and Preparation (online – 10 days) (January)
- Develop a structured training plan for Week 1 of Activity 3.1 with PCAsia
- Prepare templates, exercises, and sample briefing note components appropriate for the Lao parliamentary context
- Coordinate closely with PCAsia to align content with the subsequent Week 2 gender-integration module to ensure continuity and consistency across the two-week programme
- Submit draft materials to PCAsia for review and incorporate feedback
B. Training Delivery – “Briefing Note Fundamentals” (in person in Laos – 5 days) (February)
Deliver interactive sessions covering:
- Purpose and structure of parliamentary briefing notes
- Identifying problems, policy options, and evidence needed by MPs
- Writing concise, neutral, and actionable content
- Common drafting challenges and quality-standards for briefing notes
- Brief guidance to trainees on how Week 1 skills will be applied during the gender-integration module
C. Technical Support and Quality Assurance (online – 4 days) (June)
- Arrange 2 brief check-in meetings over Zoom with trainees to advise on any challenges faced by trainees conducting preliminary research for their briefing notes
- During the drafting stage, offer expert feedback and coaching on participants’ draft briefing note components
- Provide practical recommendations for improving clarity, structure, and use of evidence
- Coordinate with the Gender Specialist and PCAsia to ensure the effective integration of gender perspectives in each briefing note
- Advise on any context-specific adjustments needed to strengthen the relevance of gender-integrated briefing notes for use in the Lao National Assembly
DELIVERABLES
- Participation in preparatory coordination meetings with PCAsia
- Training Plan & Materials – slides, exercises, templates
- 5-day Briefing Note Fundamentals Module delivered during Week 1 of Activity 3.1
- Advisory support and coordination provided to the Gender Specialist to ensure Lao NA contextual relevance
- Draft Briefing Notes Produced by Trainees –
- trainer provides structured coaching, written feedback, and quality-assurance comments on each trainee’s draft
- trainer works with PCAsia and the Gender Specialist to ensure drafts include effective gender analysis
- Activity Report (2–3 pages) covering:
- training delivered
- participant progress
- status and quality of briefing-note drafts produced including challenges, gaps, and recommended next steps for strengthening briefing-note drafting beyond this activity
TIMELINE
- Preparation Phase (online or in Phnom Penh – 10 days) (January)
- Training Delivery – Week 1: Briefing Note Fundamentals (in person in Laos – 5 days) (February)
- Coaching on trainees’ draft briefing notes (online – 4 days) (June)
- Activity Report (within 1 week of completed training)
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 5 years of experience in parliamentary strengthening, legislative research, or policy analysis
- Proven experience drafting briefing notes or similar parliamentary research products
- Strong ability to simplify complex policy and legal information into concise, practical formats
- Demonstrated experience training or mentoring parliamentary staff
- Knowledge of Southeast Asian parliamentary systems is an asset
- Strong English writing and communication skills (Lao language ability is an asset)
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with PCAsia
- Proven ability to deliver high-quality outputs within tight timelines
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Interested applicant should submit Cover letter and CVs with expected fee in the email by 30th December 2025 to [email protected] with the subject “Application: Trainer on Briefing Notes Fundamentals”. Only shortlisted applicant will be notified.