| Overview : PROJECT DESCRIPTION Papua New Guinea (PNG) has one of the most significant areas of largely-intact tropical forest in the world, although these forests appear to be facing acute and imminent threats. The Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) estimates that approximately 80% of the total area of the country is covered by natural forests, of which 60% are considered intact forests. Approximately 10 per cent of global GHG emissions are caused by land-use change and, in particular, the destruction of tropical forests. Slowing deforestation and forest degradation is a likely cost effective way of reducing carbon emissions compared to other mitigation strategies, such as curbing emissions from power stations. Since 2005, PNG has been at the forefront of intergovernmental negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to develop an international mechanism to compensate developing countries for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+). To be eligible to receive results-based finance for REDD+ results-based actions under the UNFCCC, PNG will have to develop the following elements: A National Strategy or Action Plan; A national forest reference emission level and/or forest reference level; A robust and transparent national forest monitoring system for the monitoring and reporting of the REDD + activities;
A system for providing information on how the safeguards on local community and forest biodiversity are being addressed and respected throughout the implementation of the REDD+ activities while respecting sovereignty The Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) is receiving international support from a number of bilateral and multilateral sources to prepare the country for implementing REDD+ under the UNFCCC, including through readiness support from the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). A major component of the FCPF project is to support the development of PNG’s National REDD+ Strategy. SCOPE OF WORK The objective of this assignment is to map out the existing and potential sources of finance for REDD+ implementation in PNG and identify the scale of finance necessary for REDD+ implementation in PNG. This work will feed into the development of PNG’s National REDD+ Strategy. In undertaking this assignment the international consultant (working closely with a national consultant, the FCPF team, government counterparts, private sector stakeholders and NGOs) will: 1) map out current and existing sources of REDD+ (and other land use-related) finance in PNG, and 2) identify the scale of finance necessary for REDD+ implementation in PNG, under various implementation scenarios. The international expert will take conceptual leadership of the tasks under this assignment, while working in close coordination and consultation with a national consultant, team of consultants on the development of a National REDD+ Strategy, Government, UNDP and FCPF staff and the UNDP regional technical advisor. Key elements of the assignment will include: Map out sources of existing and potential finance for REDD+ implementation in PNG The first task will be to map out all current and potential sources of finance for REDD+ implementation in PNG, including: Public financing flows (i.e. government funds, including staff salaries and funded policy instruments for the land use sector (e.g. fiscal policies, taxes, levies, etc.)) linked to the main drivers of deforestation and forest degradation; and (existing and potential) finance for the implementation of policies and measures (PAMs) to address these drivers (as set out in PNG’s draft National REDD+ Strategy); Identification of opportunities to re-direct finance flows that are supporting activities linked to deforestation and forest degradation (e.g. alterations of fiscal frameworks); Private sector sources: including finance for the implementation of sustainable production systems, e.g. certification schemes for agricultural (“forest friendly”) commodities and sustainable timber. International sources: including donor programmes for REDD+ investments (e.g. Green Climate Fund (GCF), FCPF Carbon Fund) and results-based payments through the UNFCCC (GCF).
This financial mapping exercise will consider and clearly distinguish between financing needs to meet: Implementation cost of PAMs and transaction costs associated with their implementation Identify the scale of finance necessary for REDD+ implementation in PNG The second task will be to work closely with the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), the FCPF project management unit (PMU) and the consultant team drafting the National REDD+ Strategy to develop a number of scenarios for REDD+ implementation. These could include, for example, low, medium and high REDD+ financing plans, and should include: Costing of individual PAMs proposed in the National REDD+ Strategy, including personnel time (at national, provincial and local levels); Operational cost estimates; Estimates of achievable emissions reductions resulting from the implementation of various PAMs; Monitoring and reporting expenses.
Following this, the consultant will identify and document in detail the financing gaps for REDD+ implementation in PNG, based on the PAMs set out in the draft National REDD+ Strategy Institutional arrangements The work will be undertaken over a three month period from September 2016, with the international consultant undertaking at least two visits to PNG. Following the drafting of an inception report the consultant with travel to PNG to meet with relevant stakeholders and gather data and information for the assignment. The consultant will return to PNG towards the end of the assignment to present findings, and in doing so raise the awareness of stakeholders on the status of REDD+ financing in PNG including potential future REDD+ financing options. The FCPF project management unit (PMU) will provide support to the consultant with regard to logistics when in PNG, including introductions to key stakeholders and organization and financing of workshops. Travel outside of Port Moresby, if required, will be covered by UNDP. The consultant will be responsible for her/his own transport within Port Moresby. Duration of the assignment The duration of the assignment is 30 days over five months from September 2016 to January 2017. In accordance with expected outputs and deliverables, the International Consultant submits reports to FCPF REDD+ Project Chief Technical Advisor for review outputs, comments, certify approval/acceptance of works afterwards. In case of any delays to achieve the expected outputs, the International Consultant should notify the FCPF REDD+ Chief Technical Advisor in advance to take necessary steps. Duty station The duty station for this assignment is Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and Homebased. DEGREE OF EXPERTISE AND Qualifications Education Post-graduate degree (MSc or PhD) in natural resources economics, development economics, finance, or closely related field.
Work experience A minimum of 10 years progressive experience in natural resource economics and management or a related field; Strong understanding of REDD+ under the UNFCCC, including understanding of financing options such as the Green Climate Fund; Experience with public expenditure reviews related to natural resource management in developing country contexts; Strong inter-personal skills, in particular, demonstrated team leadership qualities and excellent oral communication skills. Experience with REDD+ in PNG or the Pacific region an advantage.
Language requirements APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Qualified candidates are requested to apply by September 14, 2016 by sending their application packages to registry.pg@undp.org with the subject line “FCPF REDD+ International Consultant on REDD+ Financing Options for National REDD+ Strategy”. The application should contain: Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
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