KHAMTANH SOMPHANVILAY

Senior Social Specialist

Mr. Khamtanh Somphanvilay is ESL’s Senior Socio-Economic Specialist, bringing over three decades of expertise in public administration, socio-economic development, and community-based tourism. His extensive academic background includes a Master’s degree in Tourism Management from Atlantic International University (USA), a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Human Resources, and a Teacher Training degree from Dongdok College in Vientiane. 

With a professional career spanning multiple sectors, Mr. Khamtanh has held senior leadership positions, including Deputy Director roles at the Departments of Industry and Commerce, Home Affairs, and Tourism in Luangprabang Province. His responsibilities have encompassed industry strategy development, SME incubation, resettlement planning, human resource management, and tourism impact analysis. He has also been deeply involved in international cooperation, working with organizations such as JICA, ADB, and other global agencies on rural development, governance, and tourism promotion initiatives. 

At ESL, Mr. Khamtanh contributes his extensive experience as a supervisor, trainer, and technical advisor for key projects. Highlights include his role as the main author of the Nam Theun 1 Hydropower Project Household Income Survey, technical support for socio-economic components of the Chifeng LXML FWP Sepon Mine, and as a supervisor and trainer for the Endline Survey of the WASH project for SNV. His skills in strategy, stakeholder collaboration, and capacity-building ensure impactful project delivery, particularly in community and resource management. 

Education 

  • Master of Arts in Tourism Management Atlantic International University, Hawaii, USA (2009 – 2011) 
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Social Science, and Human Resources at the Institute of Political and Administration, Luangprabang, Laos (2012 – 2014) 
  • Bachelor of Education English (for Teaching) National University of Laos, Lao PDR (1985 – 1990)  

Additional Training 

  • Rural development and Saemaul Undong, agriculture College, Republic of Korea (Mar 15-27, 2002) 
  • Tourism Management in GMS countries, Organized by ADB, Phnom Penh Cambodia (Jun 25-Jul 6, 2007) 
  • Community Base Tourism Learning from Homestay Program, Islamic Tourism Center, Malaysia, (Aug 4-15, 2008) 
  • Tourism Management in GMS under the Greater Mekong Sub-region- Phnom Penh Plan, Guilin Institute of Tourism, China. (Sep 18-30, 2008) 
  • Tourism Promotion in Mekong Area, Pacific Resources Exchange Center, JICA, Japan. (Mar 1-13, 2009) 
  • International Saemaul Training Program, Kyungwoon University, Republic Korea. (Jul 31-Aug 11, 2012) 
  • National Government Administration for Senior Officials, JICA Center, Tokyo, Japan. (Oct 29-Nov16, 2012) 
  • Leader in Urban Governance Program, Center for Liveable City, Singapore. (Jun 26-30, 2013) 

Key Expertise 

  • Project Management: Oversee complex projects and ensure timely delivery of project outputs. 
  • Economic development supervision: possessing a holistic view and extensive experience in promoting SME and tourism strategies. 
  • Political Science: understanding complex social, economic, and environmental dynamics 
  • Reporting: Skilled in socioeconomic surveys and delivering actionable insights. 
  • Technical Tools: Proficient in Microsoft Offices (MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Publisher, TEAMS)

Achievements 

    • Successfully integrated socio-economic standards into environmental projects for community benefits. 
    • Facilitated investment growth and SME capacity building in Luang Prabang. 
    • Promoted Luang Prabang as a key tourism destination through strategic marketing and international collaboration. 
IMG_0161

Professional Experience 

Senior Social and Economic Specialist, ESL Sole Co., Ltd. (2024–Present) 

    • Leads assessments, analysis, and management of social and economic impacts for environmental and development projects. 
    • Identifies new project opportunities, supports business development, and provides socio-economic expertise. 
    • Ensures compliance with social standards, engages with stakeholders, and promotes alignment with organizational objectives. 

Deputy Director, Department of Industry and Commerce, Luangprabang Province. (2016–2023) 

    • Served as a core member of the Single Window Committee on Investment Promotion, enhancing investment facilitation and business compliance. 
    • Supervised administration, internal trade, SMEs, and trade promotion while developing market chains and production initiatives. 
    • Led SME development efforts, including trade exhibitions, brand building, and access to funding. 
    • Collaborated with the Luang Prabang Chamber of Commerce and international donors to strengthen economic growth. 

Deputy Director, Department of Home Affairs, Luangprabang Province. 2012-2016) 

    • Directed Public Administration, Development, and Citizenship Management sections. 
    • Focused on organizational improvement, capacity building, and community services, including migration and resettlement. 
    • Promoted teamwork and efficiency in operations. 

Deputy Director, Department of Tourism, Luangprabang Province (2006-2011) 

    • Spearheaded tourism strategy development and site enhancement projects with stakeholders. 
    • Oversaw tourism operations, marketing strategies, and international media collaboration. 
    • Pioneered community-based tourism initiatives and contributed to regional tourism networks in GMS countries. 
    • Conducted tourism impact analyses and organized promotional events. 

Technical staff, Department of Foreign Affairs, Luangprabang Province (1990-2006) 

    • Supervised foreign relations and international cooperation, monitoring foreign aid programs. 
    • Managed protocol responsibilities and coordinated Lao-Vietnam border issues with MOFA. 
    • Served as the Provincial Governor’s Secretary, offering English-Lao translation and interpretation support. 

Highlighted Projects 

  • Endline Survey Impact Assessment for SNV (2024)