National forestry financial specialist (NRAP review)

Finance & Economy

Organizational Setting

Vietnam’s National REDD Action Programe (NRAP) for 2017-2030 was approved by the Prime Minister with Decision No 419/TTg -QD dated April 5th, 2017. This is a policy document with a multi-sectoral approach and the overall goal to: Contribute to protecting and improving the quality of the existing natural forests, expanding the forest area, and improving the quality of plantation forests; linking with the implementation of national goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, forest protection and development, green growth; mobilizing international support, getting access to carbon markets; and improving people's lives and the country's sustainable development. (NRAP, 2017 Overall Goal). The main content of the NRAP focuses on developing and finalizing the policies and measures responses to the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. The NRAP is split into two periods: 2017-2020 and 2021-2030. It can be said that the first period is readiness phase towards achieving REDD results and expanding forest cover to 42%; whereas the second period is the maturity phase where the objective shifts to “integrate fully REDD into sustainable forestry development programmes”, and forest cover by 45%. The second phase further speaks to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) emissions reduction target of a 15.8% unconditional reduction target and 43.5% conditional target. The LULUCF contributes 3.5% against the baseline scenario (unconditional), and 5% for conditional. The NRAP decision, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)’s mandates the responsibility to “Review and evaluate the Programme implementation results for the period 2017- 2020 and propose to the Prime Minister for amendment and adjustment for the period 2023-2030" (point l, item 6.2.1, Article 1). Therefore, a review of the NRAP implementation is proposed to be undertaken, as a first step towards informing the NRAP for the next period. In addition, after 5 years of REDD implementation, the context of both international negotiation processes and national circumstances have changed.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Viet Nam, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR-Programme in the FAO Representation in Viet Nam. Operationally and technically, the incumbent will work with the responsible Forestry Officer (based in RAP), the National Coordinator, the Forestry Expert as well as other colleagues within the UN-REDD team.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for reviewing and evaluating the financial aspects of the NRAP implementation over the past years (2017-2022), providing recommendations to enhance the NRAP’s financial sustainability, efficiency, and alignment with national and international financial and environmental goals for the next part of the implementation period (2023-2030) including assessment of the potential integration of NRAP into broader sectoral strategies.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Evaluate the NRAP measures for implementation (Section 5 of the Decision 419/QD-TTg 2017). • Review and assess the 2018-2020 Action Plan of NRAP implementation (Decision No 5264/QD-BNN dated 28/12/2018- Part 3-Item 3: Resource Mobilisation Solutions; Part 4 and Annex III and Annex IV: Capital demands). • Analyze the existing NRAP with a focus on financial aspects, including funding mechanisms, budgeting, financial management, and resource allocation. • Review and assess the situation of the allocated funds from the Government for NRAP implementation, the situation of the resources mobilasation both international and domestic sources for NRAP implementation. • Assess the feasibility and sustainability of financial mechanisms and funding sources. In addition: • Support the identification and outlining of challenges and bottlenecks that hinder the successful execution of the points above • Support in drafting recommendations for adjustments and improvements including recommendations to enhance financial management, resource mobilization, and investment in the NRAP Implementation Plan for the next implementation period and integration into broader national strategies (such as the National Forestry Development Strategy (VFDS 2021-2030, Decision No 809/QD-TTg, etc.) • Support consultations with key stakeholders, including government agencies, financial institutions, non-governmental organizations, and localities.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in the related field of finance and forestry economics. • Possess at least 10 years of work experience, including a minimum of 5 years in the forestry industry, with a focus on forestry finance. Experience as an incumbent in forestry finance. • Working knowledge of English • National of Vietnam or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience working in UN agencies/INGOs/ international organizations/NGOs or in an international context is an asset. • Ability to take ownership and accountability for assigned processes and to work autonomously. • Excellent writing skills • Very good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree as an asset • Intensive knowledge of the institutional and legal framework of Viet Nam • Demonstration of experiences from drafting/formalization and evaluation/assessment of national policies/ strategies • Strong experience providing strategic advice and dealing with the government and development partners • Good understanding of REDD • Experience engaging a range of stakeholders in Viet Nam on environmental issues is an advantage

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Added 1 day ago - Updated 44 minutes ago - Source: fao.org