Forestry Management/Wildlife Conservation Expert for Case study of the Payment for Forest Environment Services (PFES)(USAID Learns – Social Impact)

Job Description

Organisation Name: USAID Learns - Social Impact
Location: Hanoi
Application Deadline: Tue, 2023-12-26

Background

Vietnam’s Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) is a major breakthrough for Vietnam’s forestry sector. Its success can serve as an example for rolling out and sustaining other similar initiatives. Since inception, the PFES system was designed, launched, and implemented with support from USAID. After a successful pilot phase, in 2010, the Government of Vietnam became the first country in Asia to institutionalize a nationwide policy on PFES. PFES underwent numerous refinements and improvements since the pilot phase. USAID has provided continuous support for PFES through various activities implemented by a range of USAID implementing partners. Major achievements of these interventions include facilitating the establishment of legal frameworks and institutional arrangements, generating revenue for community investments, and gaining political commitment and interest in supporting PFES at both central and provincial government levels and among local people. As such, the PFES experience could serve as a template for other related development initiatives in Vietnam.

Purpose and Use of the Case Study

While the success and impact of PFES have been studied and discussed widely, less studied and discussed are the conditions that needed to be in place in order for the scheme to be successfully introduced, implemented and sustained. This case study will serve as a retrospective exercise, with two main purposes: (i) to document the process and best practices, and draw lessons learned from the PFES case; and (ii) to serve as a best practice toolkit for the design and implementation of similar future programming by USAID and other international development partners, particularly in the environmental sector.

Position Description

USAID Learns seeks a Forestry Management or Wildlife Conservation Expert to act as a Team Leader to lead this assignment. The team leader will work closely with a Research Coordinator to conduct the case study. USAID Learns will provide additional support in terms of project management, quality assurance, event facilitation, and interpretation/translation if necessary.

Research Questions

1. What was unique about the actions of different actors that contributed to the successful creation and implementation of PFES?

Who were the champions of PFES? Where were the champions on the map of stakeholders of PFES? (e.g. communities, private sector, local/national government, interest groups, potential PFES contributors (i.e. energy companies/utilities)
What was special about the actions of the champions that made PFES work?
How were these champions being consulted and engaged over time? How did USAID and its implementing partner ensure the buy-in of stakeholders?
How did PFES stakeholders, including USAID and its implementing partners, adapt/adjust to any obstacles/opportunities they encountered? How important was this “agility” in PFES’ overall success?

2. What was the set of conditions that needed to be in place for PFES to be successfully created and implemented?

What were the factors that were presented at the time PFES started that contributed to its success?
How did the conditions evolve over the years? What did USAID and its implementing partners do to create favorable conditions for PFES’ introduction and implementation?
What design elements in the PFES approach and/or rollout plan contributed to its success?

3. What are the key lessons learned and best practices from the PFES case that could be applicable for similar future programming of USAID and other international development partners?

What are the lessons learned and best practices that emerge from the PFES experience in collaborating with GVN counterparts and local communities?
What are the lessons learned and best practices that emerge from the PFES experience in collaborating with other international development partners (GIZ, among others), and other supporting groups (i.e. energy companies, utilities, issue-specific advocacy groups, etc.)?
What are the lessons learned in building support (assembling and maintaining coalitions) for similar development priorities, and sustaining support over time?

Methodology

The study will start with an extensive desk review of various studies and evaluations previously completed related to PFES. Primary data collection will be used to fill in any relevant gaps in our understanding. The case study will employ qualitative data collection and analysis, including key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The research team will consult with a list of the champions who over time created PFES and helped it navigate through challenges to its success. Geographically, the data collection will be conducted with relevant stakeholders in Hanoi and other key areas where PFES was first piloted, including Lam Dong province. USAID/Vietnam and USAID Learns will provide documents for the desk review, as well as contact information for prospective interviewees. The research team will be responsible for identifying and reviewing additional materials relevant to the case study, as well as additional contacts. Illustrative data sources include but are not limited to:

Previous assessment and study about PFES;
Articles or news related to PFES;
USAID PFES-related activity reports;
Vietnam Forests and Deltas Program (VFD) mid-term and final evaluation reports;
Relevant national/sector policies and regulations from Vietnam’s government related to PFES;
Relevant documents and reports from other international development partners in the sector;
Relevant stakeholders who currently or in the past have contributed to PFES.

Deliverables and Timelines

The study’s inception will tentatively take place in January 2024, allowing for data collection to begin February - March 2024. Report drafting and finalization will happen from April to June 2024. An indicative list of deliverables and their corresponding timelines is set out in the table below.

Deliverable	Involved stakeholders	Purpose	Tentative Timeline
Kick-off Meeting with USAID	USAID, USAID Learns	Introductions Confirm purposes, uses, users, expected deliverables, and timelines Finalization of the scope of work	January, 2024
Desk Review	USAID, USAID Learns	Review of available documentation	January, 2024
Inception Report	USAID, USAID Learns	Elaboration on the methodology and approach to the case study; including a detailed research design matrix that links the Research Questions in the SOW to data sources, methods, and the data analysis plan draft interview guides the list of planned interviewees and proposed selection criteria known limitations to the study design a tentative outline for the final deliverable	January, 2024
Inbrief	USAID, USAID Learns	To discuss with USAID, IP about the study design before launching primary data collection	February, 2024
Data collection	USAID, USAID Learns	Conduct necessary interviews	February - March, 2024
Preliminary Analysis Matrix	USAID Learns	Ongoing analysis of data	March, 2024
Validation Event	USAID, USAID Learns, IPs	Validation of study findings and co-create recommendations	April, 2024
Draft Report	USAID, USAID Learns	Production of the draft report	May, 2024
Out-brief Meeting	USAID, USAID Learns	Share findings and recommendations with USAID	June, 2024

Timelines: January 2024 – June 2024 Level of effort (LOE): up to 65 days

Responsibilities

Lead the development of the study design including methodology, instruments, and workplan;
Perform desk review and identify additional information required for analysis;
Conduct qualitative data collection for the case study;
Coordinate team's ongoing analysis of qualitative data;
Lead the preparation and presentation of the study design, key findings, and recommendations to USAID;
Write the draft report with support from the team, taking into consideration feedback from presentations and consultation workshops to finalize the report.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in environmental studies, natural resources management, wildlife conservation, or relevant fields
A senior professional with at least 10 years of experience leading and conducting research in the development sector.
Experience delivering technical assistance on forestry management, collective actions, wildlife conservations, or related fields.
Knowledge of the USAID program cycle is desirable.
Familiarity with PFES is preferable.
Excellent oral and written skills in both English and Vietnamese are required.

How to apply

The closing date for application: December 26, 2023. Selection and interviews will be performed constantly and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To apply, please merge both your CV and a cover letter into one pdf file and submit it through the online portal

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website:http://www.socialimpact.com

SI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls, no visits.