National Coordinator for UN-REDD Technical Assistance to Viet Nam 2022

Organizational Setting

Under the UN-REDD Programme, FAO is leading the coordination of delivery of the UN-REDD Technical Assistance (TA) in Viet Nam, since 2017. The latest UN-REDD framework was committed for 2022-2025, and commits to the Programme’s support in Viet Nam for delivery of the UN-REDD Results Framework, namely Outcome 2 “Forest Solutions Rewarded” which includes support activities to facilitate countries’ access to REDD results-based payment schemes, carbon markets and other transactions under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

A number of activities are envisaged for FAO’s support to Viet Nam including:

• Filling technical gaps for Viet Nam to be able to register under the ART/TREES (carbon accounting, legal title to ERRs, benefit sharing, approaches for consultations for rights holders);
• Support to the drafting of the ART/TREES registration document;
• Operationalization of the PRAP monitoring tool.

Reporting Lines

The National Coordinator reports formally to the Assistant FAOR-Programme in the FAO Representation in Viet Nam. Operationally and technically, the National Coordinator will work with the responsible Forestry Officer (based in Lao PDR), the UN-REDD regional teams of FAO, UNEP and UNDP, as well as other colleagues within the UN-REDD team. The incumbent operates independently and takes decisions on work priorities and exercises initiative.

Technical Focus:

The National Coordinator performs technical analysis and drafting work, as well as a range of coordination functions to support the government, namely VNFOREST. Technically, the incumbent should be familiar with REDD ’s architecture in general, the Vietnamese legal framework as relates to forests, land and resource tenure. The incumbent does not need to be familiar with the details at the time of hire, but should have capacity to self-learn in these regards, including on related cases (such as the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’s Emissions Reduction Program).

Under the overall supervision of the A-FAOR Viet Nam, under the technical supervision of the responsible Forestry Officer, with guidance from the government focal points within VNFOREST, the National Consultant will be responsible for coordination and technical drafting of activities under the UN-REDD Technical Assistance 2022 (Annex 1) and 2021 as relevant. Main focus will be on FAO activities, but the incumbent will be responsible also for coordinating the overall UN-REDD TA for Viet Nam, including for UNEP (focused on safeguards related aspects) and UNDP (focused on National REDD Action Programme monitoring). The incumbent is expected to work with technical expertise from an international and a national legal consultant, in addition to the technical oversight as mentioned above.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop workplans, concept notes, Terms of References (as relevant) to ensure timely delivery of activities;
• Liaise with the government focal point on technical and operational aspects to ensure timely and quality delivery;
• Setting meetings, developing agendas, note taking, etc.,
• Coordinate the overall drafting of the ART/TREES registration document and ART/TREES monitoring report;
• Identify where gaps exist for updating and inventorying of ownership of planted forests, vis a vis the Forest Resources Monitor System (FRMS) managed by Forest Protection Department’s (FPD);
• Coordinate the government counterparts and legal experts to determine key technical pathways for ensuring Viet Nam’s conformance with the ART/TREES standard, particularly as relates to:
  • Legal rights to transfer emission reduction and removals (ERRs);
  • Benefit sharing of eventual proceeds from LEAF – particularly as relates to resource rights holders;
  • Approaches to stakeholder consultations with resource rights holders;
  • Carbon accounting – noting that the technical drafting will be under the responsibility of others.
• Liaise and technical backstopping on the on-going Letter of Agreement with WWF on sustainable deforestation-free plantations;
• Liaising with the government for the operationalization of the PRAP monitoring tool within VNFOREST;
• Perform other related duties as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• The incumbent should be a national of Vietnam;
• University degree;
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in forestry land and natural resource;
• Good command of English.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in forestry, REDD , benefit sharing
• Familiarity with Vietnam’s REDD experiences including policies and strategies
• Experience working with government and non-government stakeholders in forestry and natural resources

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.