Asia Pacific REDD+ Safeguards Expert

Result of Service

Safeguards processes strengthened in six supported Asia Pacific countries, including the with the development of summary of information on safeguards, strengthening of countries’ national Safeguards Information Systems, progress towards completion of safeguards requirements for ART/TREES, capacity built among key stakeholders on REDD+ safeguards mechanisms (including ART-TREES 3.0), safeguards elements of the financial intermediary, and recommendations on strategic expansion opportunities on safeguards provided.

Work Location

Office-based (Bangkok, Thailand)

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

This assignment is managed by UNEP under the UN‑REDD Programme’s Technical Assistance and covers support to Bhutan, Nepal, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and knowledge exchange at the regional level of Asia Pacific. This consultancy will provide targeted technical assistance on social and environmental safeguards, including the requirements related to the Cancun REDD+ safeguards and to demonstrate the safeguards elements of conformance with the ART‑TREES standard. The consultant will also help design and deliver capacity‑building activities, for example on to meet ART‑TREES 3.0 safeguards‑related requirements, and support expansion opportunities of UNEPs regional portfolio. The work of the consultant will be done in close coordination with national counterparts, UNEP‑WCMC staff and UN‑REDD partner agencies.

The position is Bangkok‑based, with travel to countries in the region, and reports to the Asia‑Pacific Team Lead & UN‑REDD Coordinator, Nature & Market‑Based Solutions Section in Bangkok, and the Safeguards Programme Officer in Geneva. The contract duration is 6 months, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance.

In line with the annual country workplans of the UN‑REDD Programme, the consultant is expected to deliver the following services:

1. Provide technical advice to deliver on in-country safeguards activities for the Asia Pacific region on in the targeted countries, in line with the UN-REDD annual workplans.

• Work closely with UNEP-WCMC, UNEP Safeguards Officer and Regional Coordinator to coordinate the efforts of support to countries across the region.
• Organize and participate in country missions and liaise with national safeguards experts, government counterparts and other international partners involved in REDD+.
• Draft, review and improve technical documents and outputs related to social and environmental safeguards (e.g. ART-TREES TRD/TMR, VVB findings & responses, benefit sharing plans, FPIC and stakeholder engagement plans, Summary of Information, national SIS systems).
• Provide advice to strengthen the implementation of policies and measures for addressing and respecting REDD+ safeguards in supported countries (e.g. through national safeguards guidelines, national workplans, etc.).
• Draft terms of reference and provide technical backstopping on the deliverables of national consultants engaged under the Programme. 2. Support national and regional coordination on safeguards, ensuring that timely and high‑quality technical advice is provided by UNEP and UN‑REDD.
• Coordinate preparation of TREES Monitoring Reports and the Validation and Verification process in Nepal, ensuring high-quality technical inputs are gathered to support the process.
• Contribute to UNEP and UN‑REDD planning, coordinating monitoring and reporting processes (e.g. annual workplans, progress reports).
• Support the coordination of national and regional events with UN‑REDD agencies and other partners in the Asia Pacific region.
• Contribute to communications products and outreach, including inputs to knowledge products, presentations and documentation of results. 3. Plan the design of safeguards-related capacity-building support in target countries, in close collaboration with UN-REDD partners, UNEP-WCMC, the UNEP Safeguards Officer and the Regional Coordinator.
• Provide technical support for ART-TREES 3.0 related capacity building (e.g. Indonesia, Bhutan), including practical guidance on its application.
• Develop tools, presentations and guidance materials on social and environmental safeguards and related topics, as needed.
• Plan and deliver capacity-building events and training sessions on social and environmental safeguards.
• Provide technical support to strengthen safeguards-related capacity for REDD+ financial intermediaries and fund management arrangements (e.g. in Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia). 4. Contribute to the strategic expansion of UN‑REDD across the Asia Pacific region, from a social and environmental safeguards perspective, including liaison with key partners.
• Help identify safeguards-related resource mobilization opportunities, outlining needs and gaps to inform planning in line with the UN‑REDD Results Framework 2026-2030.
• Identify priority actions and recommendations to strengthen the application of safeguards at national, subnational and local levels in supported countries.
• Support the design and organization of regional knowledge exchange and learning events on safeguards.
• Strengthen coordination with the UNEP Regional Office and identify concrete areas for collaboration.
• Maintain and deepen partnerships with strategic stakeholders in the region to support programme expansion and enhance quality of delivery.

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, social science, forest policy, forest management, natural resources management, international development, environmental economics or related field is required.
• A first-level university degree level in the above-mentioned fields, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience:
• A minimum of five years REDD+, forestry and climate mitigation, environmental law, forest policy, forest management, climate change, or related fields is required.
• Experience in social and environmental safeguards in the context of climate change, forest conservation and REDD+ (e.g. to build capacity, ensure compliance, implement safeguards measures, etc.), is required.
• Experience with ART-TREES process and documentation is an advantage.
• Previous experience working in the Asia Pacific region is an advantage, including advising governments, engaging with stakeholders at the local level and partnering with diverse public and civil society stakeholders.
• Prior work experience with an international organization is an advantage.
• Understanding of laws and national policies associated with the forestry sector and human rights is desirable. Skills:
• Knowledge of report writing and editing, including computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Good communication, adaptability and time management skills.
• Excellent sense of teamwork.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to provide evidence-based recommendations. A minimum of five years REDD+, forestry and climate mitigation, environmental law, forest policy, forest management, climate change, or related fields is required. Experience in social and environmental safeguards in the context of climate change, forest conservation and REDD+ (e.g. to build capacity, ensure compliance, implement safeguards measures, etc.), is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consulting position, fluency in oral and written English is required.

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.