The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
UNEP is a key partner in the United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD), which builds on the combined convening role and technical expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme and UN Environment Programme.
The UN-REDD Programme supports nationally led REDD+ processes to curb deforestation and forest degradation, which accounts for approximately 17 per cent of carbon emissions, more than the entire global transportation sector and second only to the energy sector. It is now clear that stabilizing global average temperature rise within two degrees Celsius will be practically impossible to achieve without reducing emissions from the forest sector.
Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) is a mechanism developed by Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It creates a financial value for the carbon stored in forests by offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development.
REDD+ has the potential to deliver social and environmental benefits that go beyond the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions but which may also entail potential risks to people and the environment. In order to protect against these potential risks while promoting benefits, seven safeguards are in place that must be supported throughout the implementation of REDD+ actions.
This consultancy is home-based and reports to the Asia and the Pacific Regional Coordinator – Forests and Climate Change based in Bangkok, with additional supervision from UN-REDD Programme management officer based in Geneva.
UN-REDD activities in Cambodia, Laos, Bhutan, Thailand, Viet Nam and ASEAN

• Provide technical backstopping to the delivery of UNEP activities in UN-REDD country workplans
• Ensure policy uptake and visibility of UNEP assistance in the context of the UN-REDD activities
• Ensure quality assurance in the execution of legal agreements with technical partners and consultants
• Contribute with information on results and progress to annual, semi-annual UN-REDD reports as well as internal monthly reports

UN-REDD delivery on Asia Pacific project portfolio

• Manage the closing of the Myanmar Mangroves initiative (mid-2023)
• Manage the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the ASEAN Social Forestry project (2022-25)
• Manage the implementation and closing of Phase I (mid-2023) and preparation of a Phase II of the Lower Mekong Region Initiative
• Manage the startup of the new initiative Sustaining an Abundance of Forest Ecosystems (SAFE Initiative) (2023-30)

UN-REDD Regional Knowledge Management

• Provide technical inputs for the planning and implementation of regional UN-REDD knowledge management activities
• Review and make contributions to meeting reports, communications and information briefs and other materials related to the regional UN-REDD knowledge management
• Provide technical coordination with UNDP and FAO, as needed in relation to the regional UN-REDD knowledge management activities

Facilitate development and geographic and thematic expansion across Asia Pacific:

• Guide the Asia and the Pacific team to transform these opportunities into concrete project ideas,
• Provide inputs and clearance to project documents before submission to donors,
• Provide support to UNEP Nature for Climate Branch as relevant to the regional UN-REDD portfolio.

Academic

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in natural resources management, rural development, environmental/social sciences, or environmental law is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible working experience in REDD+ is required.
• Experience of working at country level in the Asia Pacific region is also required.
• Prior working experience in the UN system is desirable

Skills

• Strong analytical skills, understanding of socio-political complexities of developing countries, and experience in communicating complex sustainable development issues is also required.
• Standard computer software application literacy is required.
• A demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations, knowledge of the United Nations system and a personal commitment to the ideals of the United Nations Charter is desirable.
• Ability to identify priorities and to work under tight deadlines is desirable.