Technical Advisor REDD+ and Forests

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in the Asia Pacific region is implementing regional REDD+, Social Forestry, and SAFE initiatives. This role supports programme implementation, partnership engagement, reporting, and provides strategic input on forest finance and private sector engagement to scale up impact. The position is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to provide technical support and strategic guidance to UNEP and UN-REDD activities across the Asia Pacific region, focusing on enhancing effectiveness and impact. The role is crucial for ensuring the successful delivery of UNEP activities within UN-REDD country workplans, with an emphasis on policy uptake, financial scalability, and quality assurance. The consultant will manage and oversee the Social Forestry and SAFE initiatives, coordinate with governments and partners, and identify new opportunities to support climate action and nature-based solutions. The ultimate goal is to scale up impact through effective programme implementation, strengthened partnerships, and innovative forest finance strategies.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include delivering programme implementation, monitoring, and reporting for UNEP and UN-REDD activities in Asia Pacific, providing technical backstopping, and managing the Social Forestry and SAFE initiatives. The role involves ensuring quality assurance for legal agreements, contributing to reports, and providing technical inputs for REDD+ execution and scaling up investments. This includes conducting technical reviews of documents, advancing the connection between forest enterprises and REDD+ finance, and supporting knowledge management events. Additionally, the consultant will contribute to the geographic and thematic expansion of initiatives across Asia Pacific, develop project ideas, identify resource mobilization opportunities, expand networks with private sector and investors, and strengthen coordination and partnerships with regional stakeholders.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressive experience in forest finance, climate change, and REDD+ is required. Experience in project management within the development sector is advantageous. Experience working at the country level in the Asia Pacific region, collaborating with governments and stakeholders, and prior work with international organizations are also beneficial.

Skills

Strong analytical skills, understanding of socio-political complexities, and experience communicating complex sustainable development issues are required. Proficiency in standard computer software applications is necessary. Desirable skills include a keen interest in the UN's work, knowledge of the UN system, commitment to UN Charter ideals, and the ability to prioritize and work under tight deadlines.

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