National Forestry / Biodiversity Specialist

Background
The Vietnam Environmental Administration, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) will start implementation of a ADB loaned project entitled “Greater Mekong Subregion Biodiversity Conservation Corridors – Viet Nam component” over a period of 8 years, 2011-2019. The objective of the project is to achieve climate resilient sustainable forest ecosystems in the Central Annamites benefiting local livelihoods and downstream users while the intended outcome is sustainably managed biodiversity corridors in Quang Nam, Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue. The Project consists of four outputs: (1) Institutional and Community Strengthening; (2) Biodiversity Corridor Restoration and Protection; (3) Livelihoods Improvement and Small-Scale Infrastructure Support; and (4) Project Management and Support Services.

Job detail
In close co-operation with the National Project Director /Deputy Director/ Coordinator and the Provincial Project Directors / Coordinators and relevant technical departments in the three Project provinces, build a team with the National Forest and Environmental Specialists (short term) to:
(a) review the Project related documentation specifically all social safeguards documents (EMDF, RF, & GAP), including the Feasibility Study and consultants reports produced during project preparation, to better understand context and directions of proposed investments under the Project
(b) Update Project baseline relating to the social dimensions including demography, poverty, and other social data (e.g. MDG related) with particular focus on indigenous people, gender disaggregated data; update socio-economic/poverty profiles and socio-economic database
(c) Prepare localized consultation and participation plans through Stakeholder workshops to orient them on the project and seek agreement on land use planning;
(d) Document priorities identified by villages/communes relating to small scale infrastructure interventions, voluntary contributions and any requirements for resettlement;
(e) In accordance with social safeguards framework documents, work closely with implementers in finalizing and applying screening criteria for subproject selection and ensure that IEC protocols and procedures are appropriate for specific beneficiary groups, produced and/or implemented in culturally acceptable and gender sensitive manner;
(f) Identify / benchmark information for the input, output, and outcome monitoring and evaluation indicators for assessing the poverty, social, and gender impacts of the Project components and for the Project as a whole with strict reference to the DMF.
(g) Document participatory consultations and agreements.

Reporting:
The National Consultants will report on a monthly basis to the National Project Director /Deputy Director with copies and documentation in Vietnamese and English language to the Provincial Project Directors / Coordinators.

Qualifications:
- Master degree in in natural or social scciences
- A minimum of 5 years relevant operational experience and proven track record in working on projects covering a broad range of social and environmental  safeguards issues;
- Good understanding of social safeguards of ADB/ or an organization with similar requirements and Vietnam’s Government.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills, good inter-personal and team building skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment, and establish harmonious and effective working relationships; demonstrated ability to work independently;
- Working level of English language is an absolute necessity;
- Full competence with professional office software and communications technology.
- Frequent travel to project sites in Quang Nam, Quang Tri va Thua Thien Hue.

Those who are interested in the above position should submit their detailed Curriculum Vitae and a cover letter in English and Vietnamese before the 28nd of March 2012 to following the address and/or the email:

Centre Project Management Unit
Room 302, N5 Building, 99 Le Duan, Hanoi
Email: [email protected]

Note: Applications will not be returned for non-selected candidates