Consultant to Finalize the Project Implementation Manual for the Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation Projects

BACKGROUND

DAI Organization and Values:

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

Project Background:

The USAID Sustainable Forest Management Project (the Project) will work with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to reduce carbon emissions associated with deforestation, the degradation of natural forests, and poor plantation management. The Project will implement a “Green Prosperity” approach that strengthens local communities’ ability to protect their natural resource base and reduce emissions while building a strong foundation for sustainable livelihoods and equitable economic growth.

The Project will work in seven provinces (Lao Cai, Son La, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Tri and Quang Nam) and focus on five objectives:

1.     Improve and expand community forest management

2.     Increase conservation-friendly enterprises in forest-dependent communities

3.     Increase functionality of law enforcement system for forest crimes

4.     Improve production forest management practices

5.     Mobilize domestic resources for forest management and protection

The Project will be implemented during the period 2020-2025 by DAI in collaboration with RECOFTC and Preferred by Nature as partners, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) as the counterpart and the Management Board of Forestry Projects (MBFP) as project owner.

OBJECTIVES (SCOPE)

To date, the Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation Project Document was approved by MARD in April 2021. In order to effectively and coherently implement the project activities, MBFP, DAI and WWF teams have drafted the Project Implementation Manual (PIM). In the coming time, MBFP needs to improve the draft PIM, consult with provinces, and organize a National Consultation Meeting to collect comments before submitting PIM to MARD leaders for approval. Therefore, to ensure the quality of PIM, MBFP needs support from the project to recruit an experienced national individual consultant to finalize PIM for submitting to competent state agencies for review and approval. Specific tasks are:

TASKS (PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS)

• Work with MBFP, DAI and WWF teams to agree on workplan, deliverable and other works related to the consultancy.
• Proof-read the whole draft PIM.
• Format PIM in accordance with the format prescribed by the Government of Vietnam.
• Work with units under the MARD to collect, synthesize, explain, and provide feedback comments on the draft PIM from: Department of International Cooperation, Department of Personnel, Department of Finance, General Department of Forestry, Department of Planning, VNFF, provincial authorities and stakeholders.
• Facilitate the consultation meeting to seek comments on the draft PIM.
• Revise PIM and complete as a basis for submission to the leaders MARD for approval.
• Prepare final PIM in both English and Vietnamese and submit to MARD for approval.

DELIVERABLES

The estimated LOE for this assignment is 25 person-days starting as soon as possible. All final deliverables are submitted in Vietnamese. The specific deliverables and timeframe are listed below.