Back National Coordinator for UN-REDD Technical Assistance to Nepal

 Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations established in 1945 whose mission is to contribute to eradicating hunger and achieving food security for all. FAO contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Under the UN-REDD Programme, FAO is leading the coordination of delivery of the UN-REDD Technical Assistance (TA) in Nepal, since 2012. The latest UN-REDD framework was established for the 2022-2025 period, and commits to the Programme’s support to countries to deliver a set of outcomes that are stated in the UN-REDD Results Framework, this includes Outcome 2 “Forest Solutions Rewarded” which includes support activities to facilitate countries’ access to REDD results-based payment schemes, carbon markets and other transactions under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. UN-REDD Results Framework provide an opportunity to support Nepal in line with the countries priorities and needs related to the three REDD phases.

A number of activities are envisaged by UN-REDD support, coming both from FAO and UNEP, to Nepal including: 

•    Filling technical gaps for Nepal to be able to register under the ART/TREES (carbon accounting, legal title to ERRs, benefit sharing, approaches for consultations for rights holders, grievance redress, document information to report on TREES safeguards indicators, first summary of safeguards information); 
•    Support to the drafting of the ART/TREES registration document; 
•    Support in drafting the first ART/TREES monitoring report;
•    Operationalization of the PRAP monitoring tool.

Reporting Lines

The National Coordinator will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and will report directly to the Assistant FAO Representative (A-FAOR) -Programme in the FAO Representation in Nepal. Operationally and technically, the National Coordinator will work with the responsible Forestry Officer (based in Lao PDR), the UN-REDD regional teams of FAO and UNEP, as well as other colleagues within the UN-REDD team. The incumbent operates independently and takes decisions on work priorities and exercises initiative. 

Technical Focus

The National Coordinator performs technical analysis and drafting work, as well as a range of coordination functions to support the government, namely REDD Implementation Center under the Ministry of Forests and Environment. In this context, proved experience in project coordination is needed. Technically, the incumbent should be familiar with REDD ’s architecture in general, the Nepali legal framework as relates to forests, land and resource (including carbon) management and tenure and benefit sharing thereof. The incumbent should be familiar with past and on-going developments under government REDD processes in Nepal, including the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’s Emissions Reduction Program. Carbon accounting (i.e. forest reference level and monitoring, reporting and verification) related expertise is an asset, but not a pre-requisite for this assignment. 

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FAOR Nepal, the direct supervision of the A-FAOR Nepal, and under the technical supervision of the responsible Forestry Officer, with guidance from the government focal point within REDD Implementation Center, the National Coordinator will be responsible for coordination, technical drafting of inputs, and follow up and reporting on activities under the UN-REDD Technical Assistance. 
Main focus will be on the registration of Nepal jurisdictional proposal for the LEAF initiative under ART/TREES and the first year monitoring report. The incumbent will be in charge of FAO activities within the UN-REDD Technical Annex, as well as for coordinating the overall UN-REDD TA for Nepal including for UNEP. 
The incumbent is expected to channel technical advisory from the regional/global UN-REDD team (including on carbon accounting, legal, benefit sharing and safeguards related expertise) and specific input from national consultants and service providers to be recruited when and as required, in addition to the technical oversight as mentioned above.

•    Developing work plans, concept notes, Terms of References (as relevant) to ensure timely delivery of activities; 
•    Liaising with the government focal point on technical and operational aspects to ensure timely and quality delivery including in setting meetings, developing agendas, note taking, etc., 
•    Coordinating the activities of the national consultants and service providers to be recruited, when and as required, and promoting close coordination and collaboration with government focal point;
•    Engaging key country stakeholders in discussions related to the TA, where relevant, following the guidance of the government focal point;
•    Liaising with UN-REDD regional/global UN-REDD team to provide guidance and technical feedback for the delivery of the activities;
•    Coordinating the overall drafting of the ART/TREES registration document and ART/TREES monitoring report; 
•    Identifying where gaps exist for updating and inventorying of ownership of planted forests;
•    Coordinating government counterparts and legal experts to determine key technical pathways for ensuring Nepal’s conformance with the ART/TREES standard, particularly as relates to:
-    Legal rights to transfer emission reduction and removals (ERRs);
-    Benefit sharing of eventual proceeds from LEAF – particularly as relates to resource rights holders; 
-    Approaches to stakeholder consultations with resource rights holders; 
-    Carbon accounting – noting that the technical drafting will be under the responsibility of others;
-    Grievance redress mechanism applicable for LEAF and ART/TREES;
-    Safeguards requirements of ART/TREES.
•    Following up on the delivery of UN-REDD TA to Nepal, quality control, and reporting on progress and results;
•    Performing other related duties as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
•    At Minimum, a master’s degree in relevant fields/sectors such as Forestry, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management. 
•    A minimum five years of experience in supporting the formulation, coordination and implementation of projects relevant to the fields mentioned above.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and Nepali languages is required.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

The Specialist shall have competency and demonstrated practical relevant experience in supporting the formulation and implementation of programs/projects related to REDD ’s architecture and processes, the Nepali legal framework as related to forests, land and resource (including carbon) management and tenure and benefit sharing thereof. 
•    Strong command of spoken and written English
•    Proficiency in report writing and technical programme document preparation
•    Computer skills in Office applications including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint
•    Ability to plan, organize, and administer workshops and training sessions

Selection Criteria 

•    Extent of relevant technical experience in the areas related.
•    Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team. 
•    Proven experience in operational and project management in the areas mentioned above.
•    Strong work ethic, well-organized, result focused, good team player and dynamic personality.
•    Previous experience of working with UN agencies is an asset. 
•    Proven writing and reporting skills. 
•    Ability to operate under pressure and good interpersonal skills.
•    Good computer skills.
•    Knowledge of REDD ’s architecture in general, the Nepali legal framework as related to forests, land and resource (including carbon) management and tenure and benefit sharing thereof. Familiarity with past and on-going developments under government REDD processes in Nepal.
•    Track record in convening and moderating REDD related stakeholder workshops at local levels.
•    Five years of experience working with forestry stakeholders and officials in government and CSOs.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION