Consultant for CAFE - REDD Project

TERMS OF REFERENCE:

REDUCING EMISSION FROM DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION AND FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION THROUGH SUSTAINABLE COFFEE IN LAC DUONG DISTRICT, LAM DONG

ESTABLISH COLLABORATIVE MANAGEMENT MECHANISM AND PARTICIPATORY FOREST MONITORING SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) is an international policy initiative that has been developed through international negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that aims to provide results-based financial incentives to developing countries for actions which reduce emissions from forested lands and investing in low-carbon paths to sustainable development.

Vietnam has demonstrated considerable interest in REDD+ and has made important progress to date in terms of preparing for REDD+ implementation at both national and sub-national levels. Recently, Vietnam became one of the few developing countries in the world to have completed meeting the REDD+ ‘readiness’ requirements under the Warsaw Framework (or ‘REDD+ rulebook’). One of the core requirements is to have a National Strategy or Action Plan, and the Government of Vietnam approved an updated National REDD+ Action Programme (NRAP) in 2017. The new NRAP provides a clearer orientation towards the integration of REDD+ in the context of sustainable development/green growth. It identifies 7 work packages with a total of 35 policies and measures for the development and implementation of actions to achieve REDD+ in addition to a further 4 work packages which focus on REDD+ readiness and programme management, monitoring and evaluation. Several of the new policies/measures indicate REDD+ actions beyond the forest sector - notably reviewing land use planning and the promotion of sustainable and deforestation-free agriculture in key forest landscapes.

In this context, and in an effort to support the provincial government of Lam Dong to implement its stated policies and plans, SNV – The Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) has obtained funding from the International Climate Initiative (ICI) for a project entitled ‘Coffee Agroforestry and Forest Enhancement for REDD+ in Lam Dong’ (CAFÉ-REDD). The project aims to establish and develop a public-private-producer partnership (4P) approach for forest landscape conservation and restoration in one of Lam Dong’s most important forested landscapes i.e. the Langbiang Biosphere Reserve comprised of Bidoup Nui Ba National Park and Buffer Zone in Lac Duong District.

Activities will include; i) strengthening public sector capacity for climate smart/sustainable land use planning and collaborative management of forests with communities, ii) working with coffee-buying companies to improve monitoring and traceability systems to prevent deforestation in supply chains; and iii) investing in (mainly ethnic minority) smallholder farmers to promote climate smart, sustainable coffee production techniques leading to improved coffee quality and prices, whilst also promoting landscape restoration through mixed agroforestry systems and alternative livelihoods.

REDD+ projects funded by the ICI aims to reduce deforestation and forest degradation that there is a sound institutional framework for cooperation and management the local authorities, the State forest management boards and the local communities.

OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of the assignment is:

To build collaborative management mechanism and participatory forest monitoring system in Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, Da Nhim watershed protection forest, Ta Nung protection forest; then organize training workshop for relevant stakeholders and community.

TASKS

The consultant is expected to perform the following tasks working closely with project staff to development of overall work plan for the assignment

Establish Collaborative Management Mechanism:

• The cooperative management mechanism must clarify the rationale basis, practical basis and legal basis to ensure the smooth operation of this mechanism.
• Develop a collaborative management mechanism with participation of local authorities (DPC, CPCs), the State forest management boards (Da Nhim watershed protection forest, Ta Nung protection forest, Bidoup Nui Ba National Park ), the local communities (10 target villages of project), and private companies to reduce deforestation and forest degradation as well as to improve livelihood of community.
• Clarify a simple grievance redress mechanism (GRM) and integrate into the collaborative management mechanism.
• Establish the existing co-management/collaborative management mechanism of national park linked with commitment to cooperative management and forest resource development in project target villages through supporting regular local level meetings (to discuss the implementation of village rules, promote awareness of communities regarding their rights and responsibilities etc.), as well as the provision of collaborative-management training to such groups. This activity will also offer local people a stronger voice in local natural resource management and as such is also a safeguard measure ensuring ongoing consultation and dialogue.
• Support or guide/facilitate the first collaborative management meetings for the FMBs will confirm their agreement/signing of the communes/ village collaborative management agreements.
• Development of a suitable agenda, planning and organization of a training workshop on collaborative management mechanism for relevant project stakeholders i.e. District People's Committee, Commune People's Committee, forest owner, as well as representatives of local communities in 10 target villages of project.
• Preparation of training workshop materials referencing best-practice approaches in term of collaborative management mechanism of Bidoup Nui Ba National Park and also prepare participants list.
• Delivery of the training workshop in Dec 2020 (1-2 days).
• Preparation of a brief report on the training workshop (summarizing agenda, content, participant list, photos, evaluation of training).

Conduct Participatory Forest Monitoring System:

• Assess/review existing Forest Monitoring System based on technology (drone, remote sensing...) and field patrol in Bidoup Nui Ba National Park.
• Collect “hot spot” information in 10 target villages of project inside Bidoup Nui Ba National Park to develop patrol plan and map.
• Cooperate with CAFÉ-REDD project staff to organize the consultation workshop to develop the detailed plan as well as contents and indicators of Participatory Forest Monitoring System with participation of local stakeholders and community, ensuring the full and effective participation of ethnic minorities in the process.
• Cooperate with CAFÉ-REDD project staff to organize the training on Participatory Forest Monitoring for Forest protection teams of 10 target villages of project, forest rangers and relevant stake-holders.
• Preparation of a final report documenting the assignment and process (including annexes documenting the results of consultation meeting, training, participant lists, photos etc.)

TEAM COMPOSITION/QUALIFICATIONS

• MSc or higher in agriculture, forestry, environmental/social science with minimum 10 years of work experience
• Demonstrable experience in the field of community-based or participatory forest/natural resource management and planning in Central Highlands
• Understanding the location and management methods as well as social/community safeguards is an advantage

TIMEFRAME

The work specified in this term of reference is expected to be completed within a period of 3 months (Nov 2020 - Jan 2021).

DELIVERABLES

• Inception report and work plan included detailed approaches/methodologies for the assignment
• Integrated Report on Collaborative management Mechanism and Participatory Forest Monitoring System
• Training materials (course agenda, outline, presentations, evaluation form etc) and training report
• Final report (including annexes documenting the results of village consultation meetings, participant lists, photos etc.)

All deliverables submitted in Vietnamese and final report by English and Vietnamese version

APPLICATION

Please submit the following documents to the link https://smrtr.io/4tJST by Oct 28th, 2020:

Technical Proposal:

• Cover letter highlighting the firm/organization or groups of individuals experience in completing similar assignments
• A brief technical proposal (7-10 pages) outlining understanding of the assignment, a proposed approach/methodology, work plan and staffing plan
• CVs of proposed team members

Financial Proposal:

• Personnel costs inclusive of consultant fees only (travel, training, workshop, meeting, printing and other reimbursable costs will be covered by the project).

The ToRs in Vietnamese can be found in the file attached.