Senior MRV and Reporting Specialist

Provide specialized technical support for developing the TMR and navigating the VV process.

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FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Tuesday 8 Jul 2025 at 21:59 UTC

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Overview

Provide specialized technical support for developing the TMR and navigating the VV process.

You have:

  • Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Forestry, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 7-10 years of professional experience in MRV systems for REDD, forest carbon accounting, and international climate finance reporting mechanisms (especially ART/TREES or similar high-integrity standards).
  • Working knowledge of English and Vietnamese.
  • National of Viet Nam or resident in the country with a valid work permit.

Organizational Setting

The LEAF program in Viet Nam is a jurisdictional REDD program operating under the framework of the LEAF Coalition and the Architecture for REDD Transactions (ART) through its TREES framework. The program is led by the VNFOREST within the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE). As a key requirement of the ART/TREES framework, the program is committed to regular monitoring and reporting of its performance in reducing emissions and enhancing removals from the forestry sector. To this end, Viet Nam has already successfully completed and submitted its Initial TREES Monitoring Report (IMR), which covered the reporting period from January 1st, 2021, to December 31st, 2022. This support is provided in the context of the ongoing assistance that the UN-REDD Programme is delivering to the Government of Viet Nam to strengthen its forest monitoring and REDD implementation capabilities, especially in supporting Viet Nam's LEAF jurisdictional area to receive Results-Based Payments (RBP). The LEAF program is now proceeding with the development of its second TREES Monitoring Report (TMR) to cover the subsequent reporting period from January 1st, 2023, to December 31st, 2024. This report will provide an updated assessment of the program's progress within its sub-national accounting area, which includes 11 contiguous provinces of Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, and Dak Nong.

Completing the TMR and undergoing the independent Validation and Verification (VV) process by the appointed VVB (AENOR) are complex tasks requiring rigorous data collection, compilation, analysis, and documentation, as well as robust internal processes and clear communication to address verification queries.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision by the FAO Representative, technical supervision by the Forestry Officer, Forestry Division in FAO Rome, day-to-day management by Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and in collaboration with the Project Coordinator at FAO in Vietnam and the international consultant for the project. The specialist will report to the FAO Representative, in close collaboration with Forestry Officer NFO.

Technical Focus

The objective of this assignment is to provide specialized technical support for developing the TMR and navigating the VV process. The incumbent will work to ensure the timely implementation of the project and timely providing all relevant deliverables of the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Coordinate the collection, compilation, and analysis of data required for the TMR (2023-2024). • Assist in the drafting and finalization of key sections of the TMR, ensuring compliance with ART/TREES requirements, particularly sections 5-11 of the templates. • Provide primary technical support in responding to queries from the VVB (AENOR) during the VV process. • Coordinate and support the development and revision of MRV-related sections of the Program Operations Manual (POM). • Contribute to the development of MRV training materials and the delivery of training workshops.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Forestry, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field. • Minimum of 7-10 years of professional experience in MRV systems for REDD , forest carbon accounting, and international climate finance reporting mechanisms (especially ART/TREES or similar high-integrity standards). • Working knowledge of English and Vietnamese • National of Viet Nam or resident in the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Proven experience in leading the development of national or sub-national REDD monitoring reports or similar technical documents. • Strong analytical skills and experience in managing and analyzing large datasets related to forestry and land use. • Demonstrated experience in developing Program Operations Manuals (POMs) or similar procedural documents for complex programs. • Experience in designing and delivering technical training workshops on MRV and related topics. • Familiarity with the Vietnamese forestry sector, policies, and institutional landscape is highly desirable. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Vietnamese. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to meet tight deadlines.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe your experience with MRV systems for REDD? This question assesses your familiarity and expertise with MRV systems, which is crucial for this role. Highlight specific projects you've worked on, focusing on your role and the outcomes.
How have you handled complex data analysis in your previous roles? This gauges your analytical skills and your ability to manage large datasets. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you employ to ensure compliance with reporting requirements? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a situation where you had to manage tight deadlines. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What training experiences have you had in the MRV field? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you approach communication with stakeholders during project implementation? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of a successful monitoring report you developed? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What experience do you have with the Vietnamese forestry sector? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org