UNDP Liberia

UNITED NATIONATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT No. UNDP/SSA/2007/04

Post Title : Liberia Forestry Legal Consultant, LFI
Contract Type : International Special Service Agreement (ISSA)
Duty Station : Monrovia, Liberia (With in country travel)
Duration of assignment 60 man-days spanned in a 9-months period, including two missions to Liberia (in April & October)
Contract Starting Date : End of April
Advertised on : 10 April 2007
Deadline : 17 April 2007

Background

The Development Forestry Sector Management Project is funded from the World Bank's Trust Fund for Liberia, and is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme. The main objective of the project is to build robust and transparent structures for economic and fiscal governance and prepare a foundation for good governance, economic recovery and growth in the forestry sector

Historically, the forest sector in Liberia has been a major component of the country’s economy. However, during the years of the civil war revenue from forestry activities was used to fuel conflict, leading to instability in the country and the surrounding region. As a result of this, UNSC timber sanctions were imposed to prevent the export of timber. In 2006 the enacting of a new National Forestry Reform Law (NFRL) resulted in the lifting of the sanctions, but also was an indicator of the progress in designing a new legal and governance structure for the sector.

There is a need to assist capacity building in the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) - the government agency responsible for the oversight and administration of the forestry sector – in legal enforcement, and also to advise the Government of Liberia on forestry compliance issues.

As part of post-conflict reconstruction efforts in Liberia, the World Bank is financing a number of activities to support reforms in the forestry sector, with funding from the World Bank’s Liberia Surplus Grant (LSG). This activity will contribute to those reforms and will be implemented as part of the broader, multi-donor Liberia Forest Initiative (LFI). (For further information, see: http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/lfi).

Objective

The objective of this assignment will be to assist the FDA in establishing a policy framework and strategy for the legal enforcement of the new forestry and other related laws.

Job Summary

The consultant will work under the overall guidance and direction of the World Bank task-manager for the Forestry Development Management Project in Liberia. The consultant will liaise closely with the Managing Director of the FDA. Acknowledging that the LFI is a multi-donor initiative, the consultant will also work closely with all LFI partners in country and on visiting missions.

Specific Duties

1. Prepare a legal enforcement and compliance strategy for the implementation of the on-going forest sector reform program.

2. Assist FDA in preparing legal and administrative policies and options, and as required provide counsel for:
• Recovering unpaid revenues from forest concessions operating prior to the imposition of UNSC sanctions
• Addressing past violations of the forest law and human rights and other abuses prior to the imposition of UNSC sanctions

3. From discussions with FDA managers and non-state agencies, such as civil society and community-based organisations, draft guidelines for forest monitoring by civil society, forest-dependent communities and independent third parties.

4. Assist as required in the preparation of new forest regulations and the revision of regulations following public vetting, especially with regard to those provisions relating to legal enforcement and compliance

5. Advise the FDA on staff recruitment and training needs assessment with regard to the implementation of the proposed legal enforcement strategy.

Outputs

The outputs from this assignment will be:

1. A report on the legal enforcement and compliance strategy for the FDA (output of Task 1 and Task 5)
2. A report on the legal and administrative policies for dealing with past transgressions (output of Task 2)
3. Guidelines of forest monitoring (output of Task 3)

Proposed timing

• A draft of Output 1 shall be prepared and discussed with FDA and LFI partners during the first mission to Liberia. The final draft will be submitted following comments on the draft report.
• A draft of Output 2 shall be prepared by August 2007
• A draft of Output 3 shall be prepared within one month of the conclusion of the second mission, and a final draft submitted following comments on the draft report and by December 2007.

Educational Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Law – Equivalent of Masters
• At least 10 years experience in Environmental Law

Competencies

• Experience in post-conflict countries, preferably in Liberia.
• Mature personality and capable of handling sensitive situations
• Fluency in the English language. Working knowledge of a second UN language an added advantage
• Excellent report-writing skills
• Excellent command of MS Office applications
• Team player and self-starter
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines

Email application to this vacancy should be sent to vacancies.lr@undp.org. Please insert vacancy announcement number in the subject of the email or written application. Attach photocopies of qualifications (i.e. technical certificates and academicals) and a one-page cover letter indicating your interest and suitability for the position.

Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Note: All applications/queries must be addressed to: vacancies.lr@undp.org
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