Export to develop the operational mechanism and working plan for the EUDR working group to support the implementation of the EUDR action plan

Term of Reference

EXPERT TO DEVELOP THE OPERATIONAL MECHANISM AND WORKING PLAN

FOR THE EUDR WORKING GROUP TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EUDR ACTION PLAN

1. Background

On May 16, 2023, the European Commission (EC) adopted the EU Deforestation Regulation (hereinafter referred to as EUDR). This regulation comes into force from June 29, 2023, with the application date being January 2025 for big companies and June 2025 for small operators placing products in the EU market. EUDR prohibits products and goods that cause deforestation, forest degradation and do not comply with the laws of the country of exploitation and export from beingimported into or exported from the EU market. EUDR applies to 7 items including: livestock, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soybeans and wood, as well as products manufactured and processed from raw materials of the above goods such as leather, chocolate, paper, furniture, charcoal, some palm oil derivatives, etc.

At the moment, Vietnam does not require the description/ identification of the geographical location where a shipment of exported agricultural and forestry products originates from. Vietnam also does not have a forest status mapping system as of December 31, 2020 which could serve as a basis for determining the legality and  traceability of products as stipulated by EUDR. In addition, other export markets of Vietnam, especially important markets such as the United States, Japan, Korea, etc. are likely to support EUDR and will have similar regulations soon, which poses further difficulties and challenges for the export of agricultural and forestry products of Vietnam in the near future.

To be able to meet with EUDR, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has issued Document No. 5179/BNN-HTQT dated 01/8/2023 on the implementation of the Framework Action Plan for adaptation with EUDR addressing the chairman of the People Committees of provinces and municipalities. At the moment, MARD is finalizing an EUDR action plan for submission to and approval by the Prime Minister as requested at Resoluation No. 88/NQ-CP dated 08/6/2023 of the government. At the same time, MARD has cooperated with other stakeholders to implement relevant activities and prepare necessary conditions to meet with EUDR’s requirements.

On 04/05/2024, MARD’s Minister issued Decision No. 1235/QD-BNN-HTQT on the establishment of the Joint Working Group to coordinate EUDR adaptation actions, which is led by the International Cooperation Department (ICD) of the Ministry and assigned the Department of Forestry to take lead in implementing the Action Plan of EUDR adaptation in the forestry sector.

To accomplish this task, the Department of Forestry is developing a draft action plan to adapt to EUDR in the forestry sector.

The EUDR Working Group is established by the Forestry Department with the aim to assist the Department in finalizing and implementing the activities outlined in the above-mentioned Plan, which requires extensive consultation with stakeholders. Important topics that need to be discussed at the meetings of the DOF’s EUDR Working Group include forest maps, forest data, timber sector, etc.. These aspects of the Plan also need to be consulted with the Joint Working Group coordinated by ICD.

To support the effective functioning of the EUDR Working Group, the Forestry Department needs two (02) consultants to evaluate EUDR implementation experience at national and international level, identify gaps and propose issues that need to be addressed regarding forest maps, forest data and the timber sector. The assignment will provide input for the Working Group to discuss and develop the draft Action Plan for EUDR adaptation in the forestry sector mentioned above.

2. Assignment

The 02 Consultants are supposed to:

• Conduct a preliminary evaluation of the current situation of EUDR implementation in both the EU and producer countries, focusing on sectors that correspond to those of Vietnam affected by the EUDR (coffee, rubber, and timber).
• Assess of the current implementation of the EUDR Adaptation Action Framework at the central and local levels.
• Survey the current and future activities of the EUDR Joint Working Group coordinated by ICD based on (i), (ii) and (iii).
• Identify existing gaps related to forest mapping, forest data and the timber sector (including but not limited to rubber wood).
• Develop an action plan for the EUDR Working Group of the Forestry Department until the end of 2024 and orientations for the 2025 plan.
• Propose key issues and activities to be considered when developing and implementing the EUDR Adaptation Action Plan for forestry sector.
• Participate in workshops, conferences and present results when requested.

3. Output

• 01 report summarizing issues that the Joint Working Group needs to focus on to meet the requirements of EUDR.
• 01 work plan for the Working Group until the end of 2024 and orientation for the 2025 plan. The plan should closely follow the issues identified in the Summary report on issues that need to be focused on.
• 01 report on domestic and international EUDR implementation experience, gaps and activities that need to be implemented to develop an EUDR Adaptation Action Plan in the forestry sector that meets the requirements of EUDR and ensures compliance with domestic laws.

4. Qualification requirements

• Have a master's or doctoral degree with a major in forestry, agriculture, economics, policy, environmental management, natural resource management or equivalent;
• Have at least 15 years of experience working in the agroforestry sector and facilitating the implementation of policies and/or international commitments related to one of the fields of forestry, agriculture, environmental management, or natural resource management; organizing and operating similar working groups;
• Have proven understanding of the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and related issues;
• Have a good command of English and the ability to search and synthesize information on the EUDR;
• Have proven experience in similar assignment.

5. Application

Any individual with appropriate professional qualifications, capacity, and desire to perform this assignment can prepare an application which includes:

• Cover letter in English;
• Assignment implementation proposal (including activities, number of working days, budget, timeline) in English;
• Curriculum vitae (CV) in English, stating clearly the educational level and work experience;
• Scanned copies of relevant diplomas, certificates and certificates.

6. Start date

As soon as possible

7. Application submission

Applications should be submitted by 11/8/2024 at the latest via email to Ms. Kim Anh Luong (email: [email protected]).

* Note: Only candidates selected for the next round will be contacted after the application deadline. Please send any questions to the above email. Thank you for your attention.