Job description : Forest Carbon Market Expert
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1.1 General introduction
The UK PACT Partnership is the UK’s flagship climate change technical assistance programme. Launched in 2018, UK PACT supports developing countries in implementing emissions reduction measures to achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). UK PACT focuses on five key areas, including climate change policy, the energy transition, sustainable transport, green finance and nature-based measures, including forests.
Forest Trend
Forest Trends is a US-based non-profit organization with the mission of developing and promoting initiatives on environmental finance, legal agricultural and forestry trade, and sustainable resource management. Forest Trends pioneers the idea of creating economic value from forests and natural ecosystems as the most effective measures in sustainably protecting forest resources and these ecosystems. Forest Trends focuses its activities on key areas, including creating a foundation for the formation of new knowledge through analysis, synthesis of data, information, and indigenous experiences; building capacity for stakeholders, including vulnerable groups such as women, communities, and the elderly; bromoting the formation of links and encouraging investment in forests and natural ecosystems.
1.2 Main duties and responsibilities
Under the UK PACT Programme , Forest Trends is seeking a Forest Carbon Markets Expert to support the Department of Forestry (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) in developing the processes and mechanisms required to develop and manage a future forest carbon market in Vietnam. The Expert will provide support and coordination between stakeholders working in this area, in addition to providing specific technical support to the Department. The expected scope of work includes: i) supporting the development and coordination of a Forest Carbon Markets Working Group, ii) technical support to identify appropriate forest carbon standards and iii) technical analysis to design a roadmap for the establishment of a forest carbon market, based on the discussions of the Working Group .
Main outputs:
- Support the Department of Forestry to establish a National Multi-Stakeholder Forest Carbon Markets Working Group (The group is expected to be co-chaired by the Department of Forestry and Forest Trends)
- Responsibilities of the expert: Draft terms of reference, identify members, coordinate among participants, including government representatives, private sector and other stakeholders.
- Expected outcome: A multi-stakeholder forest carbon market working group is established, comprising representatives from regulatory agencies, the private sector and stakeholders.
- Hold regular meetings of the Forest Carbon Markets Working Group
- Responsibilities of the expert: Drafting meeting agendas, assisting in the preparation of co-chairs, coordinating discussion sessions in meetings, drafting meeting minutes, etc.
- Expected outcome: Hold at least four meetings of the Working Group, with input from representatives of regulatory agencies, the private sector and stakeholders.
- Support the identification of appropriate forest carbon standards for Vietnam.
- Responsibilities of the expert: Analyse and evaluate available forest carbon standards in the world, based on policy framework, governance framework, available data and local context of Vietnam.
- Expected outcome: Policy recommendation paper proposing a forestry carbon standard suitable for the Vietnamese market.
- Support the development of a draft strategic roadmap for Vietnam’s forest carbon market through analysis and consultation .
- Responsibilities of the expert: Analyze Vietnam’s current policy and governance frameworks related to forestry and forest carbon management, study current forest carbon policy and governance frameworks used in other countries. Advise and draft a roadmap with the members of the Working Group.
- Expected outcome: The working group adopts a draft strategic roadmap, which includes recommendations for market structure/construction and governance.
- Support the Department of Forestry in stakeholder engagement during the development of the strategic roadmap and/or forest carbon market.
- Responsibilities of the expert: Identify key stakeholders involved in the strategic roadmap and/or forest carbon market development, assess stakeholder communication needs and support the development of appropriate approaches.
- Expected outcome: Stakeholder communications/engagement plan and/or appropriate communications products (e.g. guidance information to support enterprises, local authorities and local communities to understand their opportunities, rights and responsibilities)
- Support the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in capacity building and experience transfer on forestry carbon market development.
- Responsibilities of the expert: Support the Department and its agencies in conducting training courses on topics relevant to the responsibilities of the Department of Forestry (e.g. carbon markets, forest management, forest/land use mapping, timber legality). Identify transferable policy and governance lessons collected during the development of the strategic roadmap for the forestry sector. Share applicable lessons learned to other sectors of MARD (e.g. rice sector, livestock sector).
- Expected results: Enhance technical capacity within the Department of Forestry. Transfer lessons learned from trainings to other agencies within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Qualification requirements:
- Master’s or PhD in forestry and/or environmental management and climate change.
- At least 10 years of experience working in the forestry sector in Vietnam.
- Have good knowledge of forest management and forestry policy in Vietnam.
- Good understanding of the forestry carbon market in Vietnam and in the international context.
- Good command of Vietnamese and English,
- Good coordination and teamwork skills
- Prior experience in participating in and/or supporting professional networks on community development, forest protection/ conservation, and environmental management is an asset.
1.3 Work location
Hanoi and localities in Vietnam according to job requirements stated in Section 1.2.
1.4 Reporting mode
The Expert will be under the direct supervision of Forest Trends and the Department of Forestry in the day-to-day work carried out by the Expert. The Expert will report directly to the focal point of each of these agencies, with the focal point appointed by Forest Trends and the Department of Forestry. Each month, the Expert, together with the Forest Trends and Department of Forestry focal points, will meet to exchange and update information with the UK PACT programme focal point . In addition to the expected outcomes mentioned in section 1.2 above, the Expert will be required to complete a project final report before the end of the contract.
1.5 Working conditions
- Contract term : 12 months
- Contract type: full-time consultancy
- Workplace at the Department of Forestry : Computers, workspace, printers and meeting rooms, etc. All costs associated with this will be covered by the Department of Forestry.
- Remuneration: The expert will be paid monthly according to the agreement with Forest Trends.
1.6 Expected start date
As soon as 1/1/2025
1.7 Application profile
Candidates interested in this position, please submit your application including CV, cover letter, relevant certificates and documents to Luong Kim Anh (email: [email protected] ) by 22 December 2024 at the latest. After this deadline, Forest Trends will contact short-listed candidates for interviewing.