National Safeguards Expert Lao PDR

Result of Service1. A detailed workplan for assignment. 2. The Safeguards Technical Working Group (STWG), Social & Environmental Safeguards Unit (SESU) and other key stakeholders have been trained on the use of the LNSIS platform and have clear roles and responsibilities. 3. Preparatory work for the second SOI has been conducted. 4. The updated National REDD+ Strategy (NRS) incorporates safeguards aspects, and social inclusion and stakeholder consultation have been ensured during its development. 5. A policy brief on REDD+ RBF developed. Work LocationVientiane- Homebased Expected duration7 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Under the UN-REDD Technical Assistance to Lao PDR, UNEP and UNEP-WCMC is currently providing technical support on REDD+ safeguards to the Department of Forestry (DOF) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR. This consultancy is needed to assess Lao PDR's safeguard information against carbon standard requirements and to further strengthen the LNSIS, work on SoI, support review of the NRS as well as facilitate related capacity building activities and meetings. Under the supervision of the UN-REDD Asia Pacific Coordinator and in close coordination with DoF, the national UN-REDD Coordinator, and with technical guidance by UNEP-WCMC, the consultant will be working closely with key government staff and other stakeholders. In more detail, the national safeguards expert is expected to: 1. Organise a capacity building workshop for Safeguards Technical Working Group (STWG) and Social & Environmental Safeguards Unit (SESU) in close collaboration with DOF. o Work with DoF and UN-REDD partners to help design and organise capacity building related to safeguards, as decided in consultation with DOF and the STWG (e.g. workshop sessions on REDD+ safeguards and tools, and the implementation, monitoring and reporting of safeguards)). o Prepare meeting and training materials. 2. Organise and provide input to two STWG coordination meetings in close collaboration with DOF. o Work with DOF and UN-REDD partners to arrange a STWG meeting on the roles and responsibilities of the STWG and SESU to improve the coordination mechanism and to provide stakeholder feedback/ endorsement for the LNSIS platform beta version. o Work with DOF and UN-REDD partners to arrange a STWG meeting to endorse the LNSIS training materials and discuss/ plan the pilot data collection for SOI2. 3. Review and update safeguards sections of the National REDD+ Strategy (NRS). o Provide input on safeguards in the updated NRS, for example, by reviewing safeguards activities and implementation under NRS, conducting impact assessments for updated NRS actions and assessing the contribution of the NRS to Cancun safeguard A. o Work alongside UN-REDD partners to advise on social inclusion/ stakeholder consultation in NRS review and update. 4. Support the organisation of 1 NRS meeting focusing on safeguards. o Work with DOF and UN-REDD partners to organise a stakeholder consultation meeting on safeguards aspects of the NRS. 5. Development of training materials for using LNSIS platform. o Develop training materials (e.g., Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and User Manual) for key stakeholders who will be operating and using the LNSIS platform. o Develop capacity building and training presentations on safeguards and the LNSIS as part of the training sessions to be held with the STWG, SESU, subnational SESU and other stakeholders. 6. Initiate work on the second Summary of Information (SOI) on safeguards. o Prepare SOI 2 info brief for discussion with DOF and STWG. o Prepare SOI 2 outline and workplan, including stakeholder consultation plan. 7. Develop a policy brief on the REDD+ RBF. o Gather content from technical experts and draft the brief and share with UN-REDD and DOF for review. o Complete the brief and support the distribution. Qualifications/special skillsEducation: • A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, information management, or a related field is required. Experience: • A minimum of nine years of working experience in forestry and climate change policymaking is required. • Experience in the development/application of environmental and social safeguards, standards, impact assessments, and/or monitoring and evaluation is desirable. • Experience in social and environmental data collection and analysis and/or establishing/operating information systems and database management is desirable. Skills: • Up-to-date knowledge of forestry, REDD+, and of broader climate change issues in Lao PDR is required. • Command of writing, facilitation, and communication skills is required. . Languages• Excellent written communication skills in Lao and English are required Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.