National Environment and Finance Specialist
National Environment and Finance Specialist
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Job Description
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
HOW TO APPLY
If you need help or have queries please create a one-time registration with FAOs client support team for further assistance: IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application interview meeting processing).
- Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries please contact:
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
- Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE ILE LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
- For other issues visit the FAO employment website: will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment accreditation any residency or visa requirements and security clearances.
Organizational Setting
With funding from the UN-REDD Programme trust fund donors and the government of Luxembourg FAO is supporting work the Government of Lao PDR in streamlining fees and charges in the forestry sector particularly through a feasibility study for a Payment for Forest Environmental Services May 2024 with support by FAO/UN-REDD an exchange visit was organized in Viet Nam. DoF presented the outcomes of this exchange to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) which were further reported to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO). The PMO issued Notification Letter No. 1482/PMO on July 30 2024 and approved a pilot PFES program in Lao PDR. Responding to the Prime Ministers direction MAF issued Agreement No. 4977/MAF on October 10 2024 to form a PFES Steering Committee and Technical Working Group. The Committee and TWG are tasked to develop a workplan conduct consultations review legal frameworks measure impact to the hydropower sector and governments budget coordinate with government agencies and the private sector.
In fact PFES is mentioned in the 2019 Forestry law (Articles). The Forestry Law also alludes to other fees and charges that are payable to the government. These include technical service fees (Art 82 87) royalties (Art 35 127) forest resource fees (Art 127 131) lease or concession fees (Art 87 127) taxes (Art 35) fines and fees for the compensation for damage to forests forestland and forest resources (Art 131) and breaking this down forestland conversion fees (Art 82 131) biodiversity compensation fees (Art 82) compensatory tree and NTFP planting cost (Art) reforestation costs (Art 87) and land reclamation costs (Art 87). The implementation of these collection fees is not fully known but understood to be parallel to the development and roll out of PFES DOF requested FAO/UN-REDD to review other forestry sector fees and charges with the objective of streamlining the different charges and efficiently and effectively collecting due charges and fees.
The Feasibility study and assessment on the potential for Payment for forest Environmental Service (PFES) and improving the fee collection in the forestry sector is a technical assistant to the Department of Forestry being delivered in partnership between FAO and GIZ. The assignment comprises a package of six tasks to be delivered through a team of experts hired by FAO and GIZ. The six tasks include the following where Tasks 1 2 and 3 are focused on all fees and charges identified in the Forestry Law and all payer typologies whereas Tasks 4 5 and 6 are focused on PFES charges and payer typologies i) hydropower sector ii) drinking water/beverage industry iii) eco-tourism sector.
Task 1 Legal framework review
Task 2 Legal framework implementation assessment
Task 3 Frame of definitions and objectives of charges/fees
Task 4 Insights from other countries and Viet Nam
Task 5 Feasibility and potential study
Task 6 Draft legal framework
The Feasibility study and assessment on the potential for Payment for forest Environmental Service (PFES) and improving the fee collection in the forestry sector assignment will be delivered through a team of experts hired by FAO and GIZ including Lao national experts Vietnam specialized experts and international experts (PES expertise). The incumbent will work under the overall coordination and technical supervision of the international expert in the team.
The expert team:
Lao national expert on Lao environment legal framework
Lao national expert on hydropower sector
Vietnamese expert on environment and finance
Vietnamese expert on Viet Nams PFES experience
International expert on PES and environmental charges for oversight and overall quality control for all tasks
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will report to the FAO Representative (FAOR) for Lao PDR specifically through the Halting Deforestation and Climate Change Expert in close coordination with the National Coordinator of UN-REDD Lao PDR. The incumbent conducts tasks in close coordination with a team from FAO GIZ and government counterparts ensuring coherence and time coordination.
Technical Focus
The technical focus of the Vietnam expert on environment and finance is on Tasks 2 and 5 of the package of tasks outlined above. The incumbent will also contribute inputs and review for tasks 1 and 3. (No input is expected for Task 4 and 6.)
Tasks and responsibilities
The following tasks and responsibilities are expected from the incumbent bearing in mind that the package of tasks will ultimately be carried out through teamwork and therefore requires some flexibility in adapting to the expertise and skillsets brought forward by different team members.
Legal framework review (5 days)
Review and contribute to the Lao Table of forestry sector fees and charges according to the current legal framework and to the Viet Nam Table
Review and contribute to the supplementary narratives for information on Tables
Legal framework implementation assessment (15 days)
Provide expertise for assessing the implementation situation of the fees and charges as identified in the Lao Table by reviewing how and where implementation may be consistent or inconsistent with the legal provisions from Vietnam and other countrys experience.
Develop materials for presentation and reporting
Frame of definitions and objectives of charges/fees (3 days)
Review and contribute to the drafted framework of recommended fees/charges their rationales for payment use and collection regimes
Feasibility and potential study (15 days)
Provide substantive inputs in design and conducting the feasibility study
Develop materials for presentation and reporting
Develop accompanying narrative reporting
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Forestry Environmental Economics Natural Resource Management Environmental Law Public Policy or a closely related field.
Minimum 7 years experience in forestry policy natural resource economics environmental finance or Payment for Ecosystem/Environmental Services (PES/PFES) development and implementation with significant experience in Viet Nam.
Working knowledge of English and Vietnamese
National of Viet Nam or resident in 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
Proven experience in policy analysis legal framework review and drafting policy/legal documents particularly in the context of forestry and environmental charges.
Strong experience in data collection analysis of financial reports and conducting feasibility studies in the forestry or environmental sectors.
Familiarity with international best practices and experiences in PFES/environmental taxation is highly desirable.
Experience working effectively with government agencies the private sector and international organizations particularly in cross-country learning initiatives.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and present clear actionable recommendations.
Superior report writing and presentation skills capable of producing high-quality technical reports policy briefs and compelling presentations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Vietnamese.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to meet tight deadlines.
Selection Criteria
A PhD would be an asset.
Demonstrated in-depth knowledge and practical experience with Viet Nams PFES system including its legal and institutional framework implementation mechanisms and operational challenges.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
FAO seeks gender geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAOMembers in all regions.
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender nationality background and culture
- Qualified female applicants qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold FAOs values
- FAO as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status objectives and mandate including sexual exploitation and abuse sexual harassment abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
- FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
