Viet Nam expert on Payment for Forest Ecological Service

Result of Service

1. Substantive inputs provided in design and conducting “Feasibility study and assessment on the potential for Payment for forest Environmental Service (PfES) and improving the fee collection in the forestry sector” in Lao PDR 2. Presentation materials of lessons and insights from Viet Nam, useful for PfES implementation in Lao PDR developed and shared 3. Legal framework for PfES in Lao PDR delivered and presented to the government

Work Location

Homebased

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The 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. Since 2008 the UN-REDD Programme (UNEP, FAO and UNDP) has been supporting 65 partner countries in their nationally led efforts to become “REDD+ ready” and qualify for results-based payments. In May 2024, with support by UN-REDD an exchange on PfES for Lao PDR was organized in Viet Nam. Department of Forestry (DoF) in Lao PDR presented the outcomes of this exchange to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), which were further reported to the Prime Minister’s 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 Minister's 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 government’s budget, coordinate with government agencies and the private sector. The consultancy is needed to provide support to the above and the “Feasibility study and assessment on the potential for Payment for forest Environmental Service (PfES) and improving the fee collection in the forestry sector” in Lao PDR. This will be done in the form of technical assistance to the Department of Forestry delivered in partnership between UNEP, FAO and GIZ. The assignment comprises a package of six tasks to be delivered through a team of experts hired by UNEP, 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 incumbent will report to the UN-REDD Project Coordinator and in close coordination with the International Expert at FAO and the National Coordinators of UN-REDD in Viet Nam and Lao PDR. The incumbent conducts tasks in close coordination with a team from UNEP, FAO, GIZ and government counterparts, as well at national experts in Lao PDR and Viet Nam, ensuring coherence and time coordination. The technical focus of the expert on Payment for Forest Ecological Service legal framework is on Tasks 1, 3, 4 and 6 of the packages of tasks outlined above. The incumbent will also contribute inputs and review for tasks 2 and 5. Output/Task 1: The incumbent will first support the review the existing Lao legal framework to organize the definition of the different fees and charges in the forestry sector including, the terms of payment (payers, basis for determining rates, timing of payment, collection regimes, and use of the collected fees) (forestry law and other decrees, sectoral by-laws). The fees and charges are those depicted in Annex A according to the forestry law. The incumbent will lead in the Viet Nam reference table for organizing fees/charges as defined in existing legal framework including (but not limited to) the information parameters listed in Appendix 2 of Annex a. The incumbent will lead in the Viet Nam reference table for organizing fees/charges as defined in existing legal framework including (but not limited to) the information parameters listed in Appendix 2 of Annex a. Output/Task 2 : The incumbent will support the team by reviewing drafts of the study on how the existing legal framework is being implemented by gathering data on the collection of relevant fees and charges. This includes obtaining official financial reports from the Forest Protection Fund (FPF), Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), and the Ministry of Finance—particularly from the Department of State Budget and the Department of State Assets—at both central and sub-national levels, focusing on data from the past five years. In parallel, coordinate closely with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Inspection under MONRE to access information regarding the implementation of environmental obligations by projects and companies, as specified in their Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) and Concession Agreements (CAs). Output/Task 3: The incumbent will lead in developing a frame of recommended definitions and objectives of forestry fees/charges including the rationale for payment, use and collection regimes of fees and charges, addressing the overlaps, inconsistences and gaps identified and referencing in particular the legal framework and practices of Viet Nam Output/Task4: The incumbent will lead in the summary of key lessons and insights from Viet Nam that have adopted national or jurisdictional approaches to Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) or environmental taxation. Include references and links to supporting materials. Note that insights from Viet Nam’s Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PfES) have already been shared during the bilateral exchange in May 2024 and through subsequent meetings, and these should be used to inform this task. Output/Task 5: The incumbent will support an assessment of the impact and feasibility of the fees recommended in Task 3. This will involve two main components: i) Estimating the potential volume of fee collection (or the required amount), and ii) Evaluating the feasibility of payment through a combination of interviews and analytical review. As part of the feasibility assessment, case studies of 3 to 5 representative payer company types—using the typology outlined in the indicative matrix in Annex A Appendix 1—will be carried out. These case studies will help illustrate the potential financial burden of the proposed fees and assess both the capacity and willingness of companies to pay. Output/Task 6: Finally, the incumbent will provide key support to the Lao expert in drafting a legal document for PFES roll-out in Lao PDR. The type of legal document will be consulted with the PFES steering committee members and proposed. 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. Task 1: Legal framework review (15 days) 1.1 Review and complete the Table of forestry sector fees and charges according to the current legal framework (draft in Appendix 2 of Annex a) 1.2 Prepare supplementary narratives for information on Table 1.3 Collect and compile all legal documents reference, including in English (AI translate if not available.) Task 2: Legal framework implementation assessment (3 days) 2.1 Support expert team in assessing the implementation situation of the fees and charges as identified in the Table above, by reviewing how and where implementation may be consistent or inconsistent with the legal provisions Task 3: Frame of definitions and objectives of charges/fees (15 days) 3.1 Draft a framework of recommended fees/charges, their rationales for payment, use and collection regimes together with the Vietnam PFES expert 3.2 Prepare documentation/report detailing analytical information Task 4: Insights from other countries and Viet Nam (10 days) 1.1 Draft an outline of the report 1.2 Prepare presentation materials of lessons and insights from Viet Nam 1.3 Prepare accompanying documentation/report to back the presentation for Viet Nam Task 5: Feasibility and potential study (3 days) 5.1 Review design and conducting the feasibility study 5.2 Review materials for presentation and reporting Task 6: Draft legal framework for PfES (5 days) 6.1: Draft legal document on PfES reflecting the recommended definitions and objectives of forestry fees/charges, to be presented for consultation to the PfES Steering Committee and technical working groups 6.2 Prepare draft final legal document based on feedback from consultations

Qualifications/special skills

Education: • Master’s degree in finance, environmental/agricultural economics, business studies, or development studies, with an understanding of climate related risks in agriculture is required Experience: • Minimum of 10-years’ experience conducting participatory research and/or in agricultural/ forest finance, climate change related policy, environmental and natural resource management, agribusiness development and agricultural insurance required. • Experience working on collaborative projects as part of an international team would be beneficial. • Experience in working in an technical advisory role, preferably to the government, is required.

Languages

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE 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.