PfES Technical Specialist

Organizational Setting FAO has entered into a UN to UN Agreement with UNFF to co-finance the development of a national Payment for Forest Ecosystem Services (PfES) program in Lao PDR in support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s assigned mandate. This support aligns with the 10th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Strategy (2026-2030) as the new direction of government to achieve “independence and self-reliance” and the Cooperation in Forestry bilateral MoU between Lao PDR and Viet Nam. In 2025, the PfES feasibility study phase 1 was launched in Lao PDR by the Department of Forestry and UN-REDD, targeting key industries of hydropower, eco-tourism, and drinking water /beverage. Continuing from the first phase of the feasibility study which focused on the principles of PfES and collection of funds, the second phase of the feasibility study will focus on the distribution of funds from PfES back to the forest ecosystem service providers. This PfES feasibility study Phase 2 aims to study and propose the mechanisms through which collected PfES funds will be distributed back to the forest ecosystem service providers and those that contribute to this process (ie., “benefit sharing”) and the transparent channeling of these PfES funds through a trustee (ie., the Environment and Forest Protection Fund: EFF). The feasibility study will yield the following outcomes; Outcomes: 1. A proposal on PfES benefit sharing, encompassing PfES proceeds receipt eligibility and corresponding rights and responsibilities, eligible uses of PfES proceeds, the basis for calculating the level of PfES payments per PfES Provider type, and mechanisms to incentivize improved forest management, which will then be incorporated into a draft PfES decree; 2. A proposal on the transparent channeling of PfES funds (including for both direct and indirect PfES mechanisms), encompassing institutional mandates (tasks) and set up including at central and options for sub-national levels, options for the EFF structure for the management and channeling of PfES funds, scope of autonomy (decision-making) of the fund, institutional arrangement and capacity requirements for transparent fund management per jurisdictional level, requirements and conditions for release of funds and transparent monitoring and reporting, and requirements and conditions for release of funds and transparent monitoring and reporting; which will then be incorporated into a draft PfES decree; 3. PfES database design; 4. A piloting plan for piloting the draft PfES decree in indicatively two provinces in Lao PDR over the course of two years. The “Feasibility study on Benefit sharing scheme from Payment for forest Environmental Service (PfES) and improving the fund distribution” assignment will be delivered through a team include those under GIZ and FAO. Reporting Lines The incumbent will report to the FAO Representative (FAOR) for Lao PDR, specifically through the Halting Deforestation and Climate Change Expert in close coordination with the National Coordinator and the team of UN-REDD Lao PDR. The incumbent conducts tasks in close coordination with a team from FAO, GIZ and government counterparts, ensuring coherence and time coordination. Technical Focus The technical focus of the PfES Technical Specialist will be to provide oversight and advisory capacities on the overall PfES structure development, including guidance on all components 1-4 of the PfES Feasibility Study Phase 2, as well as for the knowledge exchanges between Lao PDR and Viet Nam (ie., under the MOU of the two Departments of Forestry as well as the anticipated MOU under the Viet Nam Forest Development Fund: VNFF and Environment Forest Protection Fund: EFF of Lao PDR). The package of tasks will ultimately be carried out through teamwork, and therefore requires some flexibility in adapting to the expertise and skillsets brought forward by different team members. Technical reviews and assessments focus on evaluating PfES and associated frameworks. Tasks and responsibilities The following tasks and responsibilities are expected from the incumbent, bearing in mind that the package of tasks will ultimately be carried out through teamwork, and therefore requires some flexibility in adapting to the expertise and skillsets brought forward by different team members. Outcome 1 on benefit sharing

• Conduct desk- and interview-based review of existing benefit sharing models (indicatively GFLL, Vietnam PfES) and identify aspects of the existing models that will require / benefit from adjustment for PfES;
• Participate in the field study of GFLL/I-GFLL experiences in benefit sharing and provide recommendations based on lessons from Viet Nam to the proposed benefit sharing structure.

Outcome 2 and 3 on Transparent channeling of funds and PfES database

• Provide information on the fund structure of Viet Nam (ie VNFF and provincial funds) including their roles and responsibilities, reporting requirements, institutional arrangements, as example for proposing the EFF fund structure for PfES in Lao PDR;
• Support facilitation of knowledge exchanges between the two countries, by means of communicating technical insights on knowledge gaps of Lao PDR to the VNFF and also participating as a technical expert from Viet Nam in these exchanges where relevant;

Outcome 4 on PfES pilot plan

• Based on the experience of Viet Nam in conducting a piloting for PFES, including success elements as well as challenges and lessons learned, propose a framework of conditions for the PfES pilot in Lao PDR including information on the scale, duration, institutional requirements, preparatory timeframe, budget and technical assistance required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in in natural resource management, climate-finance, or related discipline. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in forestry and natural resource or related to PES design and sustainable financing.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus.
• Teamwork.
• Communication.
• Building Effective Relationships.
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement.

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience related to PfES in Lao PDR.
• Extent and relevance of experience in advising governments and development agencies in forestry and climate finance.
• Familiarity with PES schemes, biodiversity offsets, or REDD+ finance.
• Excellent communication, policy writing, and stakeholder engagement.

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