Viet Nam Water Law Expert

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members - 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide and has started working in Viet Nam since 1978 with its Representation (Country Office) opened in Ha Noi. At the country level, the Country Programming Framework (CPF) for Viet Nam has been serving as the basis for FAO’s works in Viet Nam for the period of 2022-2026. Climate Change Response, Disaster Resilience and Environmental Sustainability is one of the four FAO strategic priorities under the CPF. The Country Office (CO), with technical support from RAP GEF team, has successfully mobilized significant resources from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to address the issues related to transboundary water, climate change, environment, biodiversity and ecosystem restoration in Viet Nam. FAO Vietnam, in partner with the Department of Water Resource Management (DWRM), is formulating the GEF-8 project “Enhancing water security, biodiversity and resilience of livelihoods through integrated water resources management and ecosystem restoration in Viet Nam’s Red River basin”, of which the Concept Note has been endorsed by the GEF Secretariat.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent is under the technical supervision of the Legal Officer, Development Law Service, FAO HQ. For daily matters and work, the incumbent reports to the CC-DRR Programme Officer, who is in close collaboration with the Lead Technical Officer of the project and the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme).

Technical Focus

The Viet Nam Water Law Expert will support the policy and legal component in the context of the project focus, as well as coordinate with national project formulation team.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Conduct a review of water-related laws and regulations in Vietnam, such as the Water Resources Law, Environmental protection law, Biodiversity law, agriculture laws and laws in any other pertinent areas such as mining, land use management, etc.; • Conduct a review of the institutional framework for water governance in Vietnam, at the national and local levels, or river basin levels; • Develop recommendations for inputs into the draft new Water Law which support the implementation of the IWRM approach to strengthen water security and sustainable use across the Water Law; • Contribute input to the project formulation team on policy aspects of the GEF 8 ERIP to ensure the project is designed in line with the Vietnam Water Resources Law and related policies and so that the project contributes to the achievement of the National Strategies, i.e. Environemnt Protection Strategy, National Water Resources Strategy (2021-2030); the National Green Growth Strategy vision towards 2050; Decree 43/2015/ND-CP on management of water source protection corridors (2015); Directive 34/CT-TTg on water sources, water supply works, and clean water production on collection and storage of waste generated in agricultural activities.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree in Law, preferably Environmental Law or Agricultural Law; • At least 10 years of experience working on water law, preferably or including in Viet Nam; • Working knowledge of English, both written and spoken; • National of Viet Nam or resident of 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

• Strong analytical thinking and interpersonal skills; • Good multi-cultural and interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners in Viet Nam at all levels (Ministries, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community-based organizations); • Strong theoretical and practical understanding of Environmental Law as well as policy formulation procedures; • Strong analytical and report writing skills; • Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.