Consultants for Cooperation Protocol in Con Cuong District, Nghe An Province

A. DAI ORGANIZATION AND VALUES DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world. DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner. DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

B. PROJECT BACKGROUND

The USAID Sustainable Forest Management Project (the Project) will work with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to reduce carbon emissions associated with deforestation, the degradation of natural forests, and poor plantation management. The Project will implement a “Green Prosperity” approach that strengthens local communities’ ability to protect their natural resource base and reduce emissions while building a strong foundation for sustainable livelihoods and equitable economic growth. The Project will work in seven provinces (Lao Cai, Son La, Hoa Binh, Nghe An, Nghe An, Quang Tri, Quang Nam) and focus on five objectives:

Improve and expand community forest management
Increase conservation-friendly enterprises in forest-dependent communities
Increase functionality of law enforcement system for forest crimes
Improve production forest management practices
Mobilize domestic resources for forest management and protection

The Project will be implemented during the period 2020-2025 by DAI in collaboration with RECOFTC and Preferred by Nature as partners, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) as the counterpart and the Management Board of Forestry Projects (MBFP) as project owner.

C. DESCRIPTION OF CONSULTANCY SERVICE:

I. BACKGROUND

Developing Inter-agency Coordination Protocol is listed as, among other, a measure for strengthening the cooperation between government agencies involved in forest management and forestry law enforcement, thus, effectively to address violations of forestry law and improve the effectiveness of forest protection. It is listed as an activity in the Forestry Law Enforcement Action Plan of Nghe An province (Decision 402/QD-CCKL dated 16 December 2021 of the Director of Nghe An Forest Protection Department - FPD). Con Cuong district was selected to develop such a Protocol in 2022. There are existing coordination and cooperation mechanisms for forest protection and management in Con Cuong district. For improvement, there is a need of reviewing and assessing the results of these cooperation/coordination mechanisms, identifying advantages and limitations of these mechanisms and update them accordingly. The Project will recruit a consultant to support the Forest Protection Departments (FPDs) of Nghe An province and Con Cuong district to develop or update Inter-agency Coordination Protocol(s) for strengthening forestry law enforcement in Con Cuong district. Results from this consultancy will be use as template to develop protocols for other districts and hopefully provinces.

II. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY ASSIGNMENT

Overall Objective: Strengthening forestry law enforcement in Con Cuong district
Specific Objective:
- Develop or update an Inter-agency Coordination Protocol between Con Cuong FPD and one or more agencies for strengthening forestry law enforcement in Con Cuong district.
- Develop a template of Coordination Protocol between FPD and specialized forest protection force.

III. SCOPE OF WORK AND TASKS

The consultant will work under the direction of Nghe An FPD and in close cooperation with the focal points of DAI and Con Cuong FPD when implementing the assignment. He/she will:

Develop a report to assess the current situation of cooperation for forestry law enforcement between Con Cuong FPD with other concerned agencies and organizations in the district. Key contents of the Report would include:
- Overview of existing cooperation mechanism/protocols between i) Con Cuong FPD with other concerned agencies in Con Cuong district; ii) Con Cuong FPD and some other district FPDs with the forestry companies and forest areas which are managed not by FPD staff but specialized forest protection force.
- Description of bilateral, multi-lateral cooperation activities between Con Cuong FPD and concerned agencies (for example: joint patrols, inter-agencies monitoring and inspection, cooperation in handling violations, prosecution, other);
- Results of handling violations of forestry law through these cooperation activities;
- Assessment of the roles of Con Cuong District People’s Committee and Nghe An FPD in directing and coordinating forestry law enforcement in Con Cuong district;
- Limitations and gaps of the existing cooperation mechanisms/protocols; cooperation issues or mechanisms that can be improved and options for improvement;
- Recommendations on developing a new Inter-agency Coordination Protocol or updating an existing one.
On the bases of the findings of the report mentioned above and discussion with Nghe An and Con Cuong FPD, develop or update:
- An Inter-agency Coordination Protocol between Con Cuong FPD and concerned agency (or agencies).
- A template of Coordination Protocol between district FPDs and Specialized forest protection force.
- The Protocol is subject for approval of Nghe An and Con Cuong FPDs; The template is subject for approval of Nghe An FPD.
Prepare for and participate in the consultation events according to the Plan approved by Nghe An and Con Cuong FPDs and the Project to explore, collect, clarify additional information and opinions of concerned stakeholders to ensure that sufficient data and information are included in the Report and the Protocol. These include:
- 01 field trip to Con Cuong district to discuss and collect information, comments from Con Cuong FPD and concerned district agencies;
- 01 consultation workshop to present, collect comments to and finalize the Report and the Protocol.