Agrobusiness and Business Forest Finance Engagement Consultant

Result of Service Under the supervision of the UNEP Programme Officer in Viet Nam and the UNEP Asia Pacific UN-REDD Coordinator the consultant will work closely with project team of UNEP and partners with the ultimate result of 1) technical inputs and national coordination provided to the implementation and coordination of the iLandscape and VNADAPT projects, with a focus on supporting engagement to increase financing for investment project-aligned improved agricultural practices and technologies, and 2) strategic advice and coordination support to government provided on optimizing results-based Payments (RBPs) and accessing forest carbon markets.

Output 1: Robust business cases developed to demonstrate the economic viability and opportunity associated with at least 3 sustainable commodity models of cash crops or NTFPs a. Assess the business viability of at least 3 sustainable and standardized commodity supply chain model is robustly assessed and demonstrated through cost benefit analysis. b. Carry out data collection and analysis and assess economic viability of sustainable models at both farm and landscape level, considering integrated aspects related to field production models, capacity building and technical support, and supply chain sustainability tools like traceability, standards, registry and data management systems. c. Bilateral engagement or multiple workshops organized with at least 20 agribusinesses of various scales to assess willingness to invest in prioritized activates or technologies. d. Three reports detailing the findings for the three selected value chains. Reports should be presented in a business case format.

Output 2: Report prepared detailing the assessment of investment gaps in terms of financial instruments and volume for scaling up 3 targeted commodity models across the two pilot provinces, at farm and supply chain levels. a. Assess multi-scale cost implications of transition towards sustainable models at farm and supply chain levels, and build a comprehensive assessment of additional capital need and investment gap to implement a scenario of full-scale sustainable production and supply chains of the 3 selected commodities in the 2 pilot provinces b. Baseline assessment presented of existing financing options within and outside of Vietnam for sustainable agricultural systems and NBS in commodity value chains in Vietnam and an assessment of the suitability in terms of financing criteria, challenges, and limitations of each financing option c. Assessment conducted of investment gaps in terms of financial instruments and volume for scaling up three targeted commodity models across the two pilot provinces, at farm and supply chain levels in terms of volume and typology for scale up across the 2 pilot provinces, for each of the commodity supply chain identified. d. Consultations held with the business sector, finance sector and public administration to review existing finance and quantify investment gaps in terms of volume and requirements, and most appropriate sources and vehicles of finance e. Full report drafted in English, summary in local language, professionally proofread and laid out with UN-REDD logo on the cover.

Output 3: UN-REDD technical advice and recommendation provided to the government contributing to a national-level strategy for engaging with forest carbon markets and accessing Results-Based Financing (RBF) for REDD+ a. UNEP UN-REDD team provided technical inputs to support the national level efforts in exploring new opportunities to engage in forest carbon markets, domestically and internationally, through compliance and voluntary mechanisms. b. Government consultations on their context specific needs to identify and compile information/ data from existing carbon market initiatives, projects and transactions and evaluate their effectiveness in meeting the country’s enhanced NDC commitments c. A policy brief for decision maker including set of recommendations for the government on how to effectively engage with forest carbon markets and access RBF

Work Location Hanoi, Viet Nam

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities 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. Since 2008 the UN-REDD Programme (UNEP, FAO and UNDP) has been supporting 65 partner countries in their nationally led efforts to become “REDD+ ready” and qualify for results-based payments. Within the UN-REDD Programme, UNEP leads on private sector engagement, safeguards, knowledge management and communications.

In Viet Nam, UN-REDD implements the EU-funded project “Integrated Sustainable Landscape Management through Deforestation-free Jurisdiction”, in short “iLandscape” in Lam Dong and Dak Nong that will address governance and supply chain challenges through four outcomes and implemented through a consortium of 5 partners: CIAT, EFI, IDH, UNDP and UNEP, and UNEP also an implementing partner of up-coming IKI-funded Viet Nam Nature-based Solutions (NBS) for Adaptation in Agriculture through Private Sector Transformation (VN-ADAPT) with a focus on un-lock private finance in NBS in the two landscapes, Mekong Delta and Central Highlands. In addition, under the UN-REDD Programme’s Technical Assistance (TA), UNEP and FAO are supporting Viet Nam in implementing LEAF initiative with focus on supporting Viet Nam to successfully complete the ART/TREES registration process, including safeguards requirements and monitoring system. Furthermore, UN-REDD provides support to the government on coordinating and optimizing results-based Payments (RBPs) and accessing the forest carbon markets.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is looking for a motivated and high performing Expert in Agrobusiness and Forest/REDD+ Finance Engagement to support both the projects (iLandscape and VN ADAPT) and contribute with technical expertise to the UN-REDD TA. The consultant is expected to support deforestation-free agriculture and agroforestry by enhancing productivity, increasing farmers’ integration into agricultural value chains, and improving access to finance and private sector participation in economic activities that reduce pressure on forests. The consultant is expected to develop innovative and high-quality decision-making solutions to help unlock investments in Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector aiming at contributing to poverty reduction, improving food and nutrition security, scaling sustainable agriculture and land use and reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Under the UN-REDD TA support to the government, the consultant is needed to navigate the national opportunities for scaling up Results-based Payments (RBPs) from potential carbon markets in a manner that is transparent, inclusive and sustainable and explore the best national options related to the forest carbon market.

As a result of the diverse nature of the work, the consultant will have the opportunity to work with a multicultural and multidisciplinary team, and a range of stakeholders in Vietnam, including national and local governments, agricultural value chain actors, development partners, financial institutions, and impact investors, as well as the broader UN team in Viet Nam and regionally in Asia Pacific.

Qualifications/special skills Education: - Master’s degree in finance, environmental/agricultural economics, business studies, or development studies, with an understanding of climate related risks in agriculture is required.

Experience: - Minimum of 10-years’ experience conducting participatory research and/or in agricultural/ forest finance, climate change related policy, environmental and natural resource management, agribusiness development and agricultural insurance required. - Experience working on collaborative projects as part of an international team would be beneficial. - Experience in working in an technical advisory role, preferably to the government, is required.

Skills: - Strong quantitative research skills - Ability to work independently with minimum supervision and able to work closely with staff;

Languages - Fluency in written and spoken English is required - Excellent/proven fluency in written and spoken Vietnamese is required

No Fee 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.