Consultants for Cooperation Protocol in Quan Hoa

INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT SCOPE OF WORK

Consultant to support the development of Inter-agency Coordination Protocol for strengthening

forestry law enforcement in Quan Hoa district (Thanh Hoa province)

CLICK HERE FOR VIETNAMESE

A. DAI ORGANIZATION AND VALUES

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

B. PROJECT BACKGROUND

The USAID Sustainable Forest Management Project (the Project) will work with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to reduce carbon emissions associated with deforestation, the degradation of natural forests, and poor plantation management. The Project will implement a “Green Prosperity” approach that strengthens local communities’ ability to protect their natural resource base and reduce emissions while building a strong foundation for sustainable livelihoods and equitable economic growth.

The Project will work in seven provinces (Lao Cai, Son La, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Tri, Quang Nam) and focus on five objectives:

1. Improve and expand community forest management
2. Increase conservation-friendly enterprises in forest-dependent communities
3. Increase functionality of law enforcement system for forest crimes
4. Improve production forest management practices
5. Mobilize domestic resources for forest management and protection

The Project will be implemented during the period 2020-2025 by DAI in collaboration with RECOFTC and Preferred by Nature as partners, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) as the counterpart and the Management Board of Forestry Projects (MBFP) as project owner.

C. DESCRIPTION OF CONSULTANCY SERVICE:

I.           BACKGROUND

Developing Inter-agency Coordination Protocol is listed as, among other, a measure for strengthening the cooperation between government agencies involved in forest management and forestry law enforcement, thus, effectively to address violations of forestry law and improve the effectiveness of forest protection. It is listed as an activity in the Forestry Law Enforcement Action Plan of Thanh Hoa province (Decision 329/QD-CCKL dated 15 December 2021 of the Director of Thanh Hoa Forest Protection Department  - FPD). Quan Hoa district was selected to develop such a Protocol in 2022.

There are existing coordination and cooperation mechanisms for forest protection and management in Quan Hoa district. For improvement, there is a need of reviewing and assessing the results of these cooperation/coordination mechanisms, identifying advantages and limitations of these mechanisms and update them accordingly.

The Project will recruit a consultant to support the Forest Protection Departments (FPDs) of Thanh Hoa province and Quan Hoa district to develop or update an Inter-agency Coordination Protocol for strengthening forestry law enforcement in Quan Hoa district. Results from this consultancy will be use as template to develop protocols for other districts and hopefully provinces.

II.         OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY ASSIGNMENT

1. Overall Objective: Strengthening forestry law enforcement in Quan Hoa district
2. Specific Objective: Develop or update an Inter-agency Coordination Protocol between Quan Hoa FPD and one or more agencies for strengthening forestry law enforcement in Quan Hoa district.

III.        SCOPE OF WORK AND TASKS

The consultant will work under the direction of Thanh Hoa FPD and in close cooperation with the focal points of DAI and Quan Hoa FPD when implementing the assignment. He/she will:

1. Develop a report to assess the current situation of cooperation for forestry law enforcement between Quan Hoa FPD with other concerned agencies and organizations in the district. Key contents of the Report would include:
   
   • Overview of existing cooperation mechanism/protocols between Quan Hoa FPD with other concerned agencies in Quan Hoa district;
   • Description of bilateral, multi-lateral cooperation activities between Quan Hoa FPD and concerned agencies (for example: joint patrols, inter-agencies monitoring and inspection, cooperation in handling violations, prosecution …);
   • Results of handling violations of forestry law through these cooperation activities;
   • Assessment of the roles of Quan Hoa District People’s Committee and Thanh Hoa FPD in directing and coordinating forestry law enforcement in Quan Hoa district;
   • Limitations and gaps of the existing cooperation mechanisms/protocols; cooperation issues or mechanisms that can be improved and options for improvement;
   • Recommendations on developing a new Inter-agency Coordination Protocol or updating an existing one.
2. On the bases of the findings of the report mentioned above and discussion with Thanh Hoa and Quan Hoa FPD, develop or update an Inter-agency Coordination Protocol between Quan Hoa FPD and concerned agency (or agencies). The Protocol is subject for approval of Thanh Hoa and Quan Hoa FPDs.
   
3. Prepare for and participate in the consultation events according to the Plan approved by Thanh Hoa and Quan Hoa FPDs and the Project to explore, collect, clarify additional information and opinions of concerned stakeholders to ensure that sufficient data and information are included in the Report and the Protocol. These include:
   
   • 01 field trip to Quan Hoa district to discuss and collect information, comments from Quan Hoa FPD and concerned district agencies;
   • 01 consultation workshop to present, collect comments to and finalize the Report and the Protocol.

IV.       LOCATIONS

Thanh Hoa city and Quan Hoa district

Remark: The Project covers the travel costs for fieldtrip and consultation workshop in Quan Hoa district. It does not cover the consultant’s expenses when working in Thanh Hoa city.

V.         CONSULTATION TIME (LOE) AND DELIVERABLES

Remarks:

• Deliverables D4 and D5 are submitted in Vietnamese and English. Other deliverables are submitted in Vietnamese
• Deliverables 1 – 3 are approved by Thanh Hoa FPD; Deliverables 4 – 5 approved by Thanh Hoa PPMU/FPD and DAI.

D. QUALIFICATIONS

E. HOW TO APPLY AND REQUESTED DOCUMENTS

Individual interested candidates are requested to submit:

• Updated CV in English and Vietnamese
• Cover letter in English or Vietnamese indicating why the applicant is suitable for this position along with current contact details of at least three referees in English or Vietnamese
• Scanned copy of related degrees
• Similar consultancy projects/reports completed before either in English or Vietnamese
• Technical proposal in English or Vietnamese to carry out this consultancy assignment (approach and implementation plan)

via email to our recruitment email at [email protected]. Please quote the position title in the subject line: “Candidate’s full name _ Inter-agency Coordination Protocol _Quan Hoa”

Deadline for application: 5.00 p.m. (Hanoi time), May 6, 2022

Remark: If being recruited, the candidate will have to provide DAI with a release letter with authorized signature and stamp from current employer to certify that candidate will not receive salary from current employer during the implementation of this consultancy assignment or candidate commits to carry out this assignment outside his/her normal working hours. This release letter is required for candidate who are currently working for government agencies only.

__________________

To learn more about DAI, please visit our website: https://www.dai.com/

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. DAI does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, veteran status, or other non-merit factor