Terms of Reference s16

WWF Greater Mekong Programme

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Position title: Forest Carbon Project Officer

Reports to: Southern Laos Landscape Manager (Direct Line Manager) and Regional Forest Carbon Coordinator (Technical Supervisor)

Grade: O-Officer / O4

Date: 9 January 2012

Location: Vientiane, with frequent travel to Southern provinces

Background

Laos holds significant potential for the development of forest carbon (also known as REDD+: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects. WWF GMP is now in the process of rolling out its new 5-year strategic plan, in which the development of forest carbon projects is a key component to deliver conservation strategies, particularly in the priority forest landscapes in Laos.

WWF-Laos is currently implementing two carbon forest projects:

Avoidance of deforestation and forest degradation in the border area of southern Laos and central Vietnam for the long-term preservation of carbon sinks and biodiversity” (“CarBi”) project.

This 4-year project aims to develop the sustainable management and protection of a 200,000 hectare trans-boundary forest area which contains globally significant biodiversity values and important carbon sinks. One of the aims of the project is to avoid emissions of 1.8 million tons of CO2 that would otherwise be caused by deforestation and forest degradation. The Laos project site is the area in and around the Xe Sap National Protected Area in Xekong and Saravane provinces.

Xe Pian National Protected Area

Xe Pian National Protected Area was established in 1993. It has a total area of 240,000 hectares located within Champasak and Attapeu Provinces (Sanamxay District). It is considered to be one of the top three most biologically important protected areas in Lao PDR and among the top ten in the South East Asia region. This is due to its variety of rare wildlife species and complex of unique habits, including wetlands with large water birds and areas of lowland forest sustaining large mammals.

WWF is working with an Austrian consulting firm called OBF to develop a REDD+ project for this valuable area in order to access the Voluntary Carbon Market as a source of sustainable financing for the NPA.

The Laos Forest Carbon Officer will focus on the implementation of the CarBi and Xe Pian Forest Carbon projects. She / he will also be responsible for taking advantage of country-specific and relevant regional opportunities for raising financial support for WWF field projects through 1 WWF Greater Mekong Programme REDD+ and for influencing national and regional REDD+ policy development.

I. Major Function:

 Manage the implementation of the CarBi and Xe Pian projects in Laos, under the broad strategic direction of the Regional Forest Carbon Coordinator and the Landscape Manager.  Engage with the Government of Laos on the development of a national REDD+ framework and ensure that WWF REDD+ projects are aligned with the national framework.  Assist with the development and delivery of a Forest Carbon strategy in line with the regional WWF GMP Strategic Plan and the WWF International Forest Carbon Initiative Strategic Plan

II. Major Duties and Accountabilities:

 Manage the successful implementation of the CarBi and Xe Pian REDD+ projects, including: - Supervise consultants - Organise and participate in forest carbon field surveys and community consultations - Organise workshops and training for government counterparts - Liaise regularly with government counterparts and other stakeholders - Coordinate closely with other CarBi project components, including in Vietnam, to ensure an integrated “one project” approach - Manage the budget for the Xe Pian project and provide input to the financial management of the Laos side of the CarBi project - Prepare regular progress reports  Assist with the development of a Laos component of the overall WWF GMP REDD strategy;  Provide technical expertise to the design and implementation of REDD+ projects in Laos, including supervision of field-activities where appropriate;  Engage with international financing / funding mechanisms to secure funds to support REDD+ and other forest carbon programme activities;  Develop strategic, informal and formal alliances with key partners at the national and provincial level, including participation in the national REDD+ task force meetings;  Organize formal training for building capacity of selected WWF Laos staff, and other appropriate project stakeholders;  Support other related large-scale programme development and fundraising initiatives for WWF’s regional and landscape conservation strategies, e.g. ongoing GEF5 programme advocacy;  Other related tasks as required.

III. Supervisory Responsibilities:

Consultants as applicable;

IV. Working Relationships:

2 WWF Greater Mekong Programme 1. Internal: works under the line management of the WWF Southern Laos Landscape Manager; with technical supervision provided by the Regional Forest Carbon Coordinator. Coordinates with WWF GMPO and WWF Network Staff supporting and engaged in Forest Carbon / REDD+ activities, including regional and country policy/advocacy staff; 2. External: Act as WWF Laos contact point for relevant stakeholders and partners in the Greater Mekong region, including ADB, ASEAN, GMS Development partners, private sector, conservation organisations, and relevant government counterparts;

V.Minimum Qualifications:

1. Knowledge:  Degree or equivalent experience in forestry, forest conservation, environmental management or similar;  Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant field are a distinct advantage. 2. Experience:  Practical experience in a field related to forest carbon, preferably forestry, conservation, community development or a related area.  Substantial work experience in the Mekong Region and familiarity with key regional and international institutions an advantage. 3. Skills and Abilities:  Fluency in Laos language;  Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including report writing, and public speaking and giving presentations to senior officials, donors, etc.;  Good time management and organisational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.  Ability to work on own initiative with minimum supervision and to stay on task;  Willing and able to develop expertise in forest carbon issues;  Strong team player;  Exceptional diplomatic and networking skills, and proven capability to work well with government counterparts;  Ability to work effectively at all levels, with above-mentioned institutions, governments and non-government actors and build excellent working relationships;  Ability to travel to the field on regular basis.

3 WWF Greater Mekong Programme VI. WWF's Mission and Values:

It is part of every staff member's terms of reference to contribute to WWF's mission: To stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: - conserving the world's biological diversity - ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable - reducing pollution and wasteful consumption.

It is also part of every WWF staff member's terms of reference to embody WWF's values, which are: Passionate & Optimistic, Challenging & Inspiring, Credible & Accountable, Persevering & Delivering Results.

Prepared by: Signature Date: WWF GMPO Programme Director

Approved by: Signature Date: GMPO Representative

Accepted by Staff member:

Signature: Date: