National REDD Safeguards Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is a leading global environmental authority established in 197

• UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices and to inspire, inform, and enable nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UNEP operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees. The organization focuses on various environmental issues, including climate change, sustainable development, and the management of natural resources.

Job Overview:
The National REDD Safeguards Expert position is a critical role within the UN-REDD Programme Technical Assistance framework. The expert will be responsible for providing technical inputs and coordination support on safeguards related to the REDD+ initiative in Thailand. This includes drafting and reviewing the safeguards section of the second Trees Monitoring Report (TMR2), responding to findings from the Validation and Verification Body (VVB), and contributing to the development of a capacity building plan for the Financial Intermediary (FI) and Forest Development Fund (FDF). The expert will also prepare a Benefit Sharing Procedure for private forest landowners contributing to Emission Reduction Results (ERRs) in the LEAF ER Program Area. The position is home-based, allowing for flexibility while ensuring effective collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies and international partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National REDD Safeguards Expert include:

• Delivering technical inputs on safeguards to the second Trees Monitoring Report (TMR2) by confirming the time period to be covered, drafting the safeguards section, and coordinating with team members to gather feedback and incorporate it into the final report.
• Providing technical assistance and coordination support on safeguards in the context of Validation and Verification, including drafting responses to findings from the VVB and participating in relevant meetings.
• Supporting the development and implementation of the capacity building plan for the Financial Intermediary (FI) and Forest Development Fund (FDF), including preparing materials and facilitating workshops.
• Conducting a review of existing legal provisions for benefit sharing with private forest landowners and preparing a draft Benefit Sharing Procedure, including necessary templates for public notification and payment claims. The expert will work under the supervision of the Regional Coordinator for UN-REDD Asia Pacific.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in forestry, conservation sciences, development planning, or related fields. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. The candidate must possess a minimum of seven years of professional experience relevant to natural resource management, participatory approaches, rural development, and/or law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">environmental law. Additionally, demonstrated experience in safeguards policy development, implementation, and monitoring is required, along with experience working with government agencies in Nepal related to forestry and natural resource management.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as forestry, conservation sciences, or development planning. A first-level university degree may be accepted if combined with sufficient qualifying experience. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of environmental law and natural resource management, which are critical to the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of professional experience in areas such as natural resource management, participatory approaches, rural development, and environmental law. Candidates should have a strong background in safeguards policy development and implementation, as well as experience working with government institutions in Nepal, particularly in the context of forestry and environmental management. This level of experience is crucial for effectively navigating the challenges associated with REDD+ initiatives and ensuring compliance with safeguards.

Languages:
Fluency in Nepali is mandatory, along with strong written and spoken skills in English. These language skills are essential for effective communication with local stakeholders and international partners, as well as for drafting reports and facilitating workshops.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for a duration of six months. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not required to provide any financial information or bank account details. This commitment to transparency and fairness is a core principle of the United Nations recruitment process.