Antecedentes

Having signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 11 June 1992 and ratified the convention on 25 November 1994 and the Kyoto Protocol in 2003 as a non-Annex 1 party, Myanmar is fully aware of the causes and potential impacts of climate change. Hence, whilst undertaking political reform and aiming at rapid economic development, Myanmar is striving to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The government of Myanmar has recognized the potential of the REDD+ initiative to contribute to green development by protecting global environmental resources (forest carbon stocks, but also biodiversity), helping to reverse land degradation, helping to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor and aiding adaptation to climate change.

 Although still largely a poor country, Myanmar is rapidly opening up to Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the energy, mining and agricultural sector. Unless astutely managed, economic growth may have negative impacts on the environment and the natural resource base. In addition, climate change threatens to reverse socio-economic advances. Recognizing these inter-related challenges, the Government increasingly views the forestry sector as a key component and driver of sustainable and climate resilient economic growth and rural development. Myanmar has significant potential to reduce its forest carbon emissions, and enhance and sustainably manage its forest carbon stocks, by implementing REDD+ activities.

Myanmar became a partner country of the UN-REDD Programme in December 2011 and has quickly taken steps to start implementing REDD+ readiness activities. A REDD+ Readiness Roadmap was finalized in 2013, and this lead to a request for funding support from the UN-REDD Programme. The budget for the first year of this support was approved in December, 2013, and forms the basis for this consultancy.

The UN REDD Programmatic support seeks to build national capacity for the implementation of REDD+ under the UNFCCC enhanced and relevant (technical, legal, social) systems.

To do so, five outcomes are envisaged:

  • Outcome 1: Relevant stakeholders engaged and their capacities developed;
  • Outcome 2: National institutions have capacity to implement effective and participatory governance arrangements for REDD+;
  • Outcome 3: REDD+ safeguards defined and national safeguards information system developed;
  • Outcome 4: Development of Myanmar’s national forest monitoring system (NFMS) and preliminary forest RELs/RLs supported;
  • Outcome 5: National REDD+ Strategy developed.

Understanding the political economy that influence, drive and have an impact on policymaking is essential for identifying effective policies and measures to address deforestation and forest degradation. An Institutional and Context Analysis (ICA) sheds light on the political and institutional factors and processes in which a country make use of the national and external resources. The ICA for REDD+ in Myanmar is focusing on the policymaking process in which different actors are involved, interacted based on their incentives and political arenas. This ICA aims at assessing entry points to support REDD+ policy and measures for REDD+ in Myanmar based on an analysis that identifies different stages of the policy making process on forests and REDD+ and the key actors and issues influencing the formulation process of existing policy.

 The objectives of the consultancy are:

  • An analysis of the policy making process in the forestry/NRM sector in Myanmar;
  • Key actors and factors that influence existing policy making process in Myanmar in order to facilitate the implementation of policies and measures for REDD+ identified;
  • Assess the entry points to support REDD+ policy and measures for REDD+ in Myanmar.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The consultant will work in a team with an international consultant under the supervision of UNDP Pillar 2 Team Leader and working with the REDD+ Office of the Forest Department of the Ministry of Environmental conservation and Forestry, where he/she work closely on a day-to-day basis with the Director, Forest Research Institute. The role of the consultant team will be to conduct an Institutional and Context (Political Economy) Analysis with the aim to assess possible entry points for enhancing policy making for REDD+ in Myanmar. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with the UN-REDD regional advisor and governance specialist.

 Summary of key functions:

Work as a team with an international consultant and support the:

  • Identification of different stages of the policy making process in the forestry/NRM sector and relevant for REDD+;
  • Identification of key actors and issues influenced the formulation process of policy making; and
  • Assessment of the entry points to support REDD+ policy making process (policies and measures) in Myanmar.

 Activities:

  • Provide insight in existing policy formulation and policy implementation;
  • Help identify key actors and issues influencing the formulation of existing policies;
  • Facilitate meetings with key relevant people involved in the policy-making process in Myanmar;
  • Organize and facilitate meetings as needed;
  • Provide support to the international consultant as needed for the timely delivery of the key results mentioned above.

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the Standards of Conduct for international civil servants;
  • Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

  • Good knowledge of the natural resource management particularly lake and watershed management, the concept of sustainability and sustainable development in the region and developing countries;
  • Ability to quickly grasp and synthesize inputs from a range of disciplines related to environmental conservation and lake management;
  • Ability to advocate and provide technical advice on the relevant sector/theme;
  • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision;
  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
  • Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

  • Advanced University degree in the field of Development Policy, Public Administration, Social Science, Environmental Conservation and Natural Resources Management/Governance, or International Law.

Experience:

  • A senior person with experience from government positions at a higher level;
  • At least over 15 years of experience in NRM, Forestry Sector and Environmental Governance;
  • Extensive knowledge and experience working on issues of governance, capacity development, public administration reform, anti-corruption, transparency, accountability and gender;
  • Strong experience in the field of Institutional Context Analysis, or similar instruments;
  • Knowledge of the Myanmar government structure and roles of authorities related to revenue and benefit distribution, preferably applied to the natural resources sector is an asset;
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills; commitment to team work and to working across disciplines and stakeholders at all levels; and
  • Experience of working with government, UN agencies and International Organizations.

Language:

  • Proficiency in both spoken and written Myanmar and English.