International Technical Specialist for Cambodia UN-REDD National Programme

Cambodia has one of the highest levels of forest cover in Southeast Asia, with approximately 10.7 million hectares of forest in 2006 or 59% of Cambodia’s land area. Cambodia also has a relatively high rate of land-use change with Forestry Administration statistics showing that 379,485 hectares of forest were lost between 2002 and 2005/6, a deforestation rate of 0.5% per year.

A future mechanism for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) being developed through the UNFCCC provides an opportunity to support Cambodia’s efforts to reduce levels of deforestation and help to maintain and protect this natural forest.

The Royal Government of Cambodia has shown early support for the development of approaches to REDD+ with the approval of two pilot sites in 2008 and 2009. In August 2009, the General Department of Administration for Nature Conservation and Protection of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Ministry of Economic and Finance as representatives of the RGC were granted observer status in the UN-REDD programme. Following this time  the RGC with support from UNDP Cambodia and FAO Cambodia, prepared a REDD+ Readiness planning process, which led to the development of the Cambodia Readiness Plan Proposal on REDD+ (“Roadmap”), a document outlining how the country with develop policies and measures to become ‘REDD+ ready’.

The Cambodia UN-REDD National Programme forms part of this approach and has been specifically designed to support implementation of the Roadmap, which was been developed by the interim REDD+ Taskforce and stakeholder groups during the period January-September 2010. The UN-REDD programme has four outcomes:

• National REDD+ Readiness Management arrangements and stakeholder consultation;
• National capacity-building towards development of the REDD+ strategy and implementation framework; and
• Sub-National REDD+ capacity-building and demonstration;
• Support to development of the Monitoring system.

The objective of this assignment is to provide Technical assistance to the Cambodia National REDD+ Taskforce and REDD+ Taskforce Secretariat during the absent of Technical Specialist with focus on strengthening their capacity and preparing background documents for the effective implementation of the current and planned programme activities.

Scope of Work:

• Provide support in the preparation and  implementation of the activities in the UN-REDD Annual and Quarterly workplans;
• Provide technical support to the members of the REDD+ Taskforce Secretariat and assist them in the development of TORs and concept notes related to the next Annual Workplan, as well as the preparation and coordination of reporting activities;
• Assist the REDD+ Taskforce Secretariat, the Deputy and the National Programme Director to organize and conduct meetings of key REDD+ governance bodies between representatives of  line ministries, development partners, civil society, indigenous peoples and the private sector;

Final Products or Deliverables/Outputs:

A consultancy report submitted including the following specific outputs:

Develop concept notes and ToR to mobilize technical inputs to support the implementation of the following activities according to the Workplans:

• How REDD+ can support to the implementation of the National Forest Programme
• How REDD+ can support management of flooded forests and mangrove areas under the Strategic Planning Framework on Fisheries
• Assessment of existing benefit sharing and fund management models in Cambodia and international best practice
• National safeguards development with consideration of International Safeguards

Assist in the preparation of the next Annual Workplan 2013 and budget with detailed 1st Quarterly Work Plan.

Prepare background documents such as concept notes, presentations, and reports as well as provide technical assistance to support the regular meetings of:

• UN-REDD Programme Executive Board 
•  REDD+ Taskforce
• Consultation Group
• Technical Teams ( Multiple benefit and Safeguards, Benefit sharing, Sub-national approaches)

An end-of-consultancy report which summarises the activities and support by the consultant and results gained. The report should include a clear set of recommendations for further priority activities should be undertaken by the Technical Specialist. 

• Ability to work effectively in a cross cultural environment; and strong facilitation and coordination skill.
• Strong analytical skills and ability in both oral and written communication.
• A proven ability of working in team to design, implement and evaluate programmes involving different funding and implementing agencies.
• Very good understanding of forestry, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and REDD+ developments at international, national and local levels.
• Knowledge on the UNFCCC negotiations, decisions and guidelines for national systems in the context of REDD+, as well as national and international best practices within REDD+ and other natural resource management initiatives. 

Education: 

• Master degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Economics, or similar.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of working experience on REDD+, conservation, resource management, forest economic policy and community development livelihoods with experience in Cambodia preferable.
• Experience of implementing programmes across the UN agencies and across Government are definite advantages

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English. Knowledge of Khmer will be a strong advantage.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

The application shall comprise the following documents:

• Cover letter: Explaining why the candidate the most suitable for the work;
• Completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form and Personal CV;

Please refer to INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT (IC) PROCUREMENT NOTICE on UNDP Cambodia Procurement Page at http://www.un.org.kh/undp/procurement-notices/undpjobid33850 for detailed term of references, instructions to applicant, and documents to be included when submitting application.

If interested candidate requests additional information, may notify the Procurement Unit in writing to e-mail address: procurement.kh@undp.org. The Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, but any delay in providing such information will not be considered a reason for extending the submission date of your application.