| Description |
Lao PDR harbors a rich natural diversity, lying at a convergence of three centres of mega-diversity? India, China and Southeast Asia. It hosts globally significant biodiversity - such as the evergreen forests of the Annamite Mountains and their foothills, the limestone karst of central Indochina, the wetlands and dipterocarp forests of the Mekong Plain, and the Mekong River itself. Although the floristic diversity of Lao is poorly known and only a fraction of its species has been recorded, these include over 8,000-11,000 plant species, 166 reptile and amphibian species, 700 bird species, 500 fish species and over 100 species of large mammals. Over 1,000 globally threatened species are found in the Lao PDR. The people of Lao PDR make use of the biodiversity on a daily basis, particularly in rural livelihoods where agro-biodiversity is a critical to food security and household nutrition. Agriculture makes up about 40.7% of the GDP of Lao PDR, whilst the overall contribution of biological resources to GDP is estimated to be over 66%. Over 70% of the Lao population is dependent upon agriculture, fisheries and other biodiversity for their livelihoods. The majority of biodiversity resources utilized at the household level are derived from the agricultural landscape, wetland and adjacent forest areas. Factors threatening the biodiversity found in the agricultural landscapes of Lao PDR include: - Changing agricultural practices: Farmers are replacing their traditionally diverse agricultural practices with high-yielding varieties, mono-crops and high levels of chemical fertilizer and pesticide use.
- Land use changes:? Traditional agriculture and forest land are converting to ?contract farming? of cash crops, including tree crops (e.g. rubber and Eucalyptus).
- Over-exploitation of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape: Increased population pressure and use of unsustainable harvesting practices influence negatively on agro-biodiversity resources.
The objective of the joint FAO/UNDP GEF project on Mainstreaming biodiversity in Lao PDR s agricultural and land management policies, plans and programmes is to provide farmers with the necessary incentives, capabilities and supporting institutional framework to conserve agro-biodiversity within the farming systems of Lao PDR.? The project will be developed within the context of the Lao PDR National Agricultural Biodiversity Programme (NABP) and other relevant national policy documents.?The five expected outcomes of the project are: - National policy and institutional arrangements mainstream biodiversity in agriculture and land use sectors
- National agriculture extension service promotes the sustainable use of farmer varieties and conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity within current production systems
- Strengthened local level capacity to conserve biodiversity and enhance productivity of biodiversity resources, especially agricultural biodiversity resources
- Agricultural biodiversity-friendly products made available in local and international markets
- Four in-situ gene banks established over 100,000 ha
A Project Preparation Grant (PPG) has been approved by the GEF Secretariat to prepare the GEF Full-size Project (FSP) proposal. It is in this context that a policy analyst will contribute to the preparation of the FSP. One of the project components is ?enabling policy and institutional framework supporting sustainable use, and in situ conservation, of agricultural biodiversity? ? to this effect, the incumbent will address institutional and policy failures and capacity constraints. Therefore, a policy review and assessment of capacity needs and institutional strengthening for a conducive policy environment and development of appropriate tools for mainstreaming biodiversity into national policy will be undertaken.
Purpose of the consultancy The overall purpose of the consultancy is to analyze and assess national policies related to or potentially impacting on the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity in Lao PDR, as well as international conventions, agreements, etc that Lao PDR is committed to implementing. | Duties and Responsibilities | Specific Objectives A background paper was prepared for the FAO workshop on awareness raising on agricultural biodiversity (2006), for policy makers and technical officers, and to further contribute to the implementation of the Lao PDR National Agricultural Biodiversity Programme (NABP): ?The importance of agricultural biodiversity for food security, nutrition and sustainable livelihoods in Lao PDR, and relevant policies?. This paper should be used as a basis for the incumbent?s work on addressing relevant policies, and should be updated, as necessary. The incumbent will: Analyze the existing national and regional policy and regulatory framework - Identify all policies and aspects of the regulatory framework that have an impact on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, both within the agricultural sector and within other sectors.?This may include national, regional and international policies and legislation.
- Conduct an analysis of the implications of the policies and regulatory framework on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity (and agricultural biodiversity).
- Following the identification of project sites:
- assess the impact of the national, regional and international policies and legislation on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity (and agricultural biodiversity) at the project site
- identify local policies (formal and key informal policies) and their impact on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity (and agricultural biodiversity) at the project site
- develop a comprehensive programme and work plan to address policy and regulatory issues at the level of the project site
Analyze existing relevant policy and legislative tools used at national and local levels to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable management in agroecosystems -
- Examples of such tools would include guidelines for commercial farmers, mechanisms for promoting ?agricultural biodiversity friendly? projects, environmental impact assessment, life cycle assessment, amongst others.
- The analysis would also include considerations of marketing and land tenure-related policy and regulatory framework.
- Identify where such tools have been successfully developed and used within other countries in the region, critically assessing potential opportunities for adapting and applying similar tools in Lao PDR
Assess and analyze needs, and propose options - Assess, analyze and provide options for integrating biodiversity conservation ? in particular agricultural biodiversity ? into government policies including, as applicable, agricultural, development, conservation, land use, commercial farming and other key impacting policies.
- Analyze operational and technical capacities at national and local levels, and identify gaps and capacity building needs ? this would be also undertaken in light of the expected output of establishing a national cross-sectoral biodiversity coordination mechanism at policy making level with a strong agricultural biodiversity component.
- Identify and assess priority areas and alternative strategies for institutional strengthening of relevant institutions (including extension services).
Prepare technical report - Building upon the draft 2006 document on "The importance of agricultural biodiversity for food security, nutrition and sustainable livelihoods in Lao PDR, and relevant policies?, prepare a technical report assessing the policy and regulatory framework; capacity needs and institutional strengthening requirements for a conducive policy environment; identification of appropriate tools for mainstreaming biodiversity into national policy.
- Organize and conduct coordination meetings and/or workshops with all relevant institutions, to build partnerships and collaboration and raise awareness.
Elaboration of full-size project document - Provide comprehensive support to the International Lead Consultant / Biodiversity Expert in the preparation of the policy/institution related component of the Full-Sized Proposal, according to the principles of Results Based Management.
- Provide inputs into other sections of the FSP, as required.
Approach In conducting the consultancy, the policy analyst is expected to: - Review relevant literature, including documents, reports, reviews, etc.
- Meet with relevant stakeholders, which will include Government, private sector, international non-governmental organizations, local communities, and others.
- Organize and conduct workshops with all relevant stakeholders, to build partnerships and collaboration and raise awareness, as needed.
Expected outputs Inception Report A short document (approximately 5 pages) should be prepared during the first week of the consultancy that includes: an outline of the methodology to complete the tasks; list of completed document review; identification of documents to be sourced; any proposed revisions to the TOR?s; timetable; schedule of visits and proposed list of interviewees. MAF / PAFO, UNDP and FAO will facilitate any necessary field work, if necessary. Progress reports
The consultant is expected to be available to participate in fortnightly meetings and to update MAF, FAO and UNDP on the progress of his / her work. Updates to be provided on a regular basis to the Lead Consultant / Biodiversity Expert. Draft Report The draft report should include the following (findings, analysis and recommendations): - Update of 2006 report
- Analysis of the existing national and regional policy and regulatory framework
- Following the identification of projects sites, assess the impact of policy and regulatory framework on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity (and agricultural biodiversity)
- Analysis of existing relevant tools (e.g. EIA, life cycle assessment)
- Assessment, analysis and options for integrating biodiversity conservation ? in particular agricultural biodiversity ? into government policies (at the following levels: national, provincial and project sites)
- Analysis of operational and technical capacities at national and local levels, and identify gaps and capacity building needs
- Identification and assessment of priority areas and alternative strategies for institutional strengthening of relevant institutions (including extension services).
Final Report The final report will be delivered 2 weeks after comments are received. The final report will be delivered in English, with the summary in English and Lao.
Reporting The incumbent will work in direct collaboration with, and under the guidance of, the International Lead Consultant and Biodiversity Expert; and will also be under the supervision and available to report directly to the FAO, MAF and UNDP Working Group, when necessary. | Competencies | - Ability to conduct research and analysis and strong synthesis skills
- Knowledge of and familiarity with tools such as environmental impact assessment desirable
- Highly developed inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multi-cultural environment
- Regional and local knowledge is desirable
- Excellent in English report writing and communication skills
- Knowledge of Lao language desirable
| Required Skills and Experience | - Proven and extensive international experience in policy analysis, especially in relation to biodiversity
- Experience in UNDP/GEF project formulation/design
- Appropriate higher degree qualifications and at least 10 years relevant experience
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