Viet Nam boasts a remarkable biodiversity that places it 16th among the world’s most biologically diverse countries. The nation’s diverse topography, ranging from lush forests and expansive wetlands to rugged mountainous regions, fosters a rich array of ecosystems. Vietnam’s biodiversity remains a global treasure, contributing not only to the nation’s ecological resilience but also enriching the world’s natural heritage. However, conserving Viet Nam’s biodiversity has been acutely challenging due to habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade, urbanization, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. Conservation efforts, both governmental and non-governmental, are underway to address these threats and promote sustainable practices.

Safeguarding biodiversity is integral to realizing Viet Nam’s objectives outlined in its national sustainable development and socio-economic development strategies. Viet Nam joined the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1994, and its initial National Biodiversity Action Plan was endorsed by the Prime Minister in 1995. Recently, in early 2022, Viet Nam approved its latest National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to 2030 with a vision for 2050, aligning with the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Over the years, Viet Nam has strived to drive institutional changes as well as promoted sustainable use of natural resources for local and indigenous communities through improved legislations and community-based projects. Vietnam’s NBSAP 2030, Revised Law on Environmental Protection in 2020, Law on Biodiversity in 2018 (originally issued in 2008), and Law on Forestry in 2017 have been monumental in pushing for a much more progressive agenda in tackling the biodiversity crisis exacerbated by developmental challenges. These efforts underscore Viet Nam’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity conservation in tandem with its broader developmental aspirations.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), among other national and international partners, has played a crucial role in supporting Vietnam’s commitment to preserving its unique ecosystems, ensuring the continued survival of its diverse flora and fauna, and uplifting adjacent local lives that are deeply connected with the cultivation of natural resources for sustenance. The Climate Change and Environment Unit (CCEU) under UNDP Viet Nam has focused on developing strategies, policies, and initiatives to safeguard the world’s at-stake ecosystems and promote sustainability, while addressing the impacts of climate change through mitigation and adaptation.

UNDP is steadfast in its mission to safeguard biodiversity and enhance local livelihoods by channeling our support toward an enabling legal environment for effective biodiversity management, facilitating cross-sectoral exchange and learning regarding important monitoring, gender mainstreaming tools, as well as targeting on-the-ground developments including but not limited to fishery co-management, sustainable livelihood models, capacity building for stakeholders across all levels, and payments for ecosystem services.

Against this background, UNDP Viet Nam has been working closely with relevant ministries, institutions, provinces, and other stakeholders to design and implement projects/initiatives on biodiversity and ecosystem services, including:

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) has been one of CCEU’s key programs on biodiversity conservation. BIOFIN is managed by UNDP and is implemented in 40 countries. Guided by a global steering committee representing its partners, BIOFIN aims to develop a methodology to quantify the biodiversity finance gap at the national level, to improve cost-effectiveness through mainstreamed biodiversity into national development and sectoral planning, and to develop comprehensive national financial plans. Upon entering the second phase of BIOFIN, the initiative builds upon the successes and lesson learned during the first phase of formalizing Policy and Institutional Review (PIR), Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER), Financial Needs Assessment (FNA), and Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP) to implement the following 5 financial solutions:

Development of guidelines, procedures, and standardized costs for biodiversity monitoring and reporting in Viet Nam’s Protected Areas as well as for the application of Result-based budgeting processes
Establishment of a tourism fee system for Hon Cau Marine Protected Area, Binh Thuan province
Identification of a financial mechanism for sustainable co-management of fishery resources in Ham Thuan Nam, Binh Thuan
Development of a new user fee system for coral protection in Hon Yen, Phu Yen
Study for the collection, management, and usage of fishery resource protection fees
Other than BIOFIN, our efforts encompass strengthened policy-science-practice interface and strategic partnerships, ensured comprehensive readiness of Viet Nam’s NBSAP by 2030 in alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework, promoted harmonious human-nature co-existence under the framework of Biosphere Reserve, integrated management of the Ba River basin landscapes, as well as enhanced nature-positive tourism practice.

The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) project phase II in Viet Nam continues to build on the key findings of phase I’s publicized “2021 Viet Nam’s first National Ecosystem Assessment.” For Phase II, the project aims to facilitate a fruitful BES Platform that strengthens the interface among the ‘policy’, ‘science’, and ‘practice’ communities, to successfully roll out models of Payments for Wetland and Marine ecosystem services at the provincial and site levels, maximize robust national engagement with IPBES, and support the provincial implementation of Viet Nam’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to 2030, vision to 2050.

The GEF7 Early Action Support on the Global Biodiversity Framework (EAS GBF) project sets out to fast-track Vietnam’s current National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) readiness to fully realize the expectations of the GBF by 2030, with a vision to 2050.

The GEF8 Umbrella Program to Update the NBSAP and Prepare the 7th National Biodiversity Report, being complementary to the GEF7 project, aids in the effort of revising the NBSAP in alignment with the GBF as well as updates the 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, as agreed to at COP15.

The “Mainstreaming natural resources management and biodiversity conservation objectives into socio-economic development planning and management of Biosphere reserves in Viet Nam” project (BR project) aims to address multiple development challenges threatening the sustainability of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Vietnam’s Biosphere Reserves by strengthening coordinated planning in terms of national and provincial policymaking on socio-economic development, promoting sustainable natural resources management, facilitating biodiversity conservation and restoration, and fostering transformative livelihood models.

The “Sustainable Forest and Forest Land Management in Viet Nam’s Ba River basin landscape” (Ba River Project) is designed to promote holistic, multi-sectoral, and multi-stakeholder governance of the Ba River’s resources. This includes establishing and operationalizing a comprehensive planning and landscape management approach that harmonizes socio-economic development, sustainable management of forest resources, improved land management, and provision of incentives like Payments for Ecosystem Services to enhance the participation of local, forest dependent communities in conservation of biodiversity within the Ba River basin.

The “Promote Wildlife Conservation and Responsible Nature-Based Tourism for Sustainable Development in Vietnam” project aims to create the necessary enabling regulatory environment, mainstream biodiversity into the tourism sector through enhanced cooperation between ministries and provincial departments, encourage private sector investment through public-private partnerships, and enable local communities to benefit from nature-based tourism products and services through enhanced livelihood opportunities, a deeper appreciation of biodiversity values, and contribution to its conservation and monitoring.

As the portfolio expands, UNDP is seeking to recruit a Project Analyst to provide implementation and management support to the activities of the biodiversity projects and initiatives.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

UNDP’s biodiversity projects are aligned with Outcome 2 of the UNDP Country Programme Document for Viet Nam 2022-2026 – People in Viet Nam, especially those at risk of being left behind, will benefit from and contribute to a safer and cleaner environment resulting from Viet Nam’s effective mitigation and adaptation to climate change, disaster risk reduction and resilience building; promotion of circular economy; provision of clean and renewable energy; and sustainable management of natural resources.

The Biodiversity Project Analyst shall receive the overall guidance from the Team Leader and report directly with the Program Analyst in Natural Resources and Biodiversity.

Duties and Responsibilities

The work entailed in this NPSA includes (i) providing technical inputs to on-going interventions and future design of the Biodiversity Portfolio’s interventions; (ii) facilitating critical partnerships and stakeholders’ coordination to ensure the timeliness of project delivery; (iii) overseeing the development and implementation of new projects or initiatives under the Biodiversity Portfolio; iv) resource mobilization for designing new projects in biodiversity conservation. The contracted individual will report to the UNDP Programme Analyst.

In summary, expected tasks are detailed as follows:

Project Implementation

Task 1: Provide technical inputs to on-going interventions of the Biodiversity Portfolio’s interventions

• Support ensuring effective project management, including budget oversight, timeline adherence, and reporting compliance.
• Conduct regular field visits to project sites to assess progress, identify challenges, and ensure the alignment of activities with project objectives.
• Develop TORs for project activities and interventions.
• Support the implementation the current and future BIOFIN finance solutions; Analyse relevant biodiversity financing mechanisms in the world (through the BIOFIN Initiative or not) and in Vietnam, particularly on Biodiversity credits/offsets, other means of biodiversity economic contributions, nature transition pathways under the Dasgupta Review, and other; Provide recommendations for on-going interventions and for the design of new finance solutions to be applied in Vietnam.
• Provide solutions toward current undertakings of other projects, especially the establishment of the BES Platform under BES-Net, the Payment for Wetland Ecosystem services pilot, and others.
• Prepare policy briefs on projects’ support and impacts.
• Create engaging content and activities tailored to the event’s objectives and audience, particularly for training on Biodiversity credits/offsets, other means of biodiversity economic contributions, nature transition pathways under the Dasgupta Review.
• Other tasks as reasonably requested by the UNDP Program Analyst

Task 2: Facilitate stakeholders’ coordination to ensure the timeliness of project delivery

• Effective communications and engagement with project counterparts and consultants to ensure timely implementation of project packages and activities.
• Establish and manage a dedicated event calendar for relevant activities of the Biodiversity Portfolio
• Facilitate capacity-building initiatives for local communities, government agencies, and NGOs involved in biodiversity conservation efforts.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with local communities, indigenous groups, and relevant organizations to enhance on-the-ground impact.
• Implement a robust communication plan to keep all stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the event preparation process.
• Organize and participate in stakeholder meetings, workshops, and conferences to promote dialogue on biodiversity conservation issues.
• Prepare progress reports that highlights issues to be discussed and actions to be taken for the counterparts and for UNDP Program Analyst.

Project Development and Resource Mobilization

Task 3: Provide technical inputs to the development of new projects or initiatives under the Biodiversity Portfolio

• Develop and design innovative projects that integrate biodiversity conservation with sustainable development goals.
• Conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for proposed biodiversity projects.
• Foster the inclusion of local knowledge and gender representation into programme development to ensure cultural relevance and community engagement.

Task 4: Effective formulation and development of projects for resource mobilization

• Implementation of the UNDP partnerships and resources mobilization strategies, focusing on project formulation to mobilize funds from various external resources;
• Analyse Vietnamese development context (political, economic, social, cultural and historical), government policies, priorities/programs, and the needs of support that would influence UNDP technical assistance in Viet Nam;
• Identify policy, capacity development needs and knowledge gaps in the Government counterparts and that of communities for designing interventions and support through appropriate projects and activities.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies
Core competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plan and monitor own work, pay attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Management
Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
Evaluation: Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks; Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

Digital & Innovation

• Data analysis: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making
• Social Media: Knowledge of social media and ability to advise the use of social media for development outcomes

General (across the functions)

Event planning and execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate.

Required Skills and Experience:

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental economics, environmental management, marine environment, marine conservation, or related field is required.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Up to 2 years (with Master’s degree) or minimum 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience is required in environmental economics, environmental management, marine environment, marine conservation, or related field.
• Good experience in working with the government and/or development partners (donors) in implementing and monitoring development projects is an asset.
• Demonstrated excellent analytical and writing skills both in English and Vietnamese.
• Demonstrated experience with development projects, especially in biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, marine environment, marine conservation, and/or sustainable tourism is an asset
• Good analytical, concept-based and communication skills
• Ability to work as team member in a multicultural environment.
• Good command of computers, office software package, and web-based management systems (especially database management)

Required Languages: English and Vietnamese