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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
Organizational Setting
On 31 October 2022, at COP26 and in the presence of the Prime Minister of Viet Nam, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development signed a Letter of Intent with Emergent Forest Finance Accelerator (Emergent). Under this arrangement, Viet Nam intends to transfer 5.15 million tonnes of CO₂ emission reductions generated from five provinces in the Central Highlands and South Central Coast Region for the period 2021–2025 at a minimum price of USD 10 per tonne. This transfer will be implemented through the negotiation and execution of an Emission Reductions Purchase Agreement (ERPA) between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) and Emergent.
The Viet Nam Forestry Administration (VNFOREST) serves as the focal agency advising the Ministry on the negotiation and signing of the ERPA. The two parties have completed the preparatory phase and entered into the ERPA negotiation stage. The draft ERPA prepared by Emergent has a complex legal structure and is governed by New York law. The draft agreement contains a number of provisions that may create legal and financial risks for the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Viet Nam Forest Protection and Development Fund.
FAO, through the UN-REDD Programme, is providing technical assistance to MAE, VNFOREST, and relevant stakeholders in the development and implementation of jurisdictional REDD programmes and forest carbon transactions in Viet Nam. As part of this support, FAO assists in strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing technical and legal readiness, and facilitating access to high-integrity carbon markets. In the context of the ERPA negotiations with Emergent, FAO is supporting the Government of Viet Nam by providing independent technical and legal expertise to help assess risks, strengthen negotiation positions, and ensure that the proposed agreement is aligned with national interests, international standards, and applicable legal frameworks.
To support the ERPA negotiation process and ensure that Viet Nam’s interests are adequately protected and aligned with both domestic and international legal requirements, one qualified individual legal specialist with strong expertise in international legal practice is needed. The specialist will undertake a comprehensive review of the draft ERPA compiling and analyzing provisions of the draft ERPA against applicable national and international legal frameworks, preparing background materials and records, and providing technical support throughout the ERPA review and negotiation process.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision by the FAO Representative, technical supervision by the Forestry Officer, day-to-day management by Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and in collaboration with the Project Coordinator at FAO in Vietnam and the international consultant for the project. Where deemed appropriate, the specialist’s deliverables shall be subject to internal quality assurance review by the Legal Officer, Development Law Service (LEGN). All activities undertaken by the specialist shall be conducted under FAO oversight.
The specialist will work under the technical supervision of FAO Viet Nam. Where appropriate, outputs may be subject to FAO internal quality assurance and technical review processes in accordance with FAO procedures.
Technical Focus
The specialist will provide specialized legal expertise on international commercial contracts, carbon transactions, arbitration clauses, governing law provisions, liability and indemnification mechanisms, and other legal issues arising from the negotiation and implementation of the ERPA.
Particular attention shall be given to protecting the interests of the Seller, ensuring legal consistency with Vietnamese legislation, minimizing potential legal and financial risks, and supporting the Government's review and consideration of issues, including with respect to emission reduction rights and transfer arrangements, authorization requirements, corresponding adjustment provisions where applicable, benefit-sharing obligations, avoidance of double claiming or conflicting use of emission reductions, and compliance with the relevant legal framework governing carbon transactions and forestry-sector emission reductions.
The specialist shall provide inputs for legal advice and technical support related to the review and negotiation of the ERPA and associated legal documentation, and shall not represent FAO in negotiations, policy discussions, donor coordination, or official communications with government counterparts.
Tasks and responsibilities
Comprehensive legal review of the Draft ERPA
• Conduct a comprehensive legal review of the draft ERPA and all associated annexes.
• Review key provisions affecting the Seller, including but not limited to:
o Payment mechanisms;
o Breach and default events;
o Remedies and enforcement provisions;
o Liability and indemnification clauses;
o Governing law and applicable law;
o Arbitration and dispute resolution mechanisms;
o Legal character, ownership and transfer of emission reductions;
o Authorization requirements and regulatory approvals under Vietnamese law;
o Provisions relating to corresponding adjustments and accounting treatments, where applicable;
o Benefit-sharing obligations and distribution of revenues generated under the ERPA;
o Risks related to double claiming, double use or inconsistent treatment of emission reductions;
o Other legal obligations and responsibilities.
• Prepare a legal review report identifying each issue, assessing the level of risk, and providing recommendations for risk mitigation and contract improvement.
Proposed amendments and negotiation support
• Propose revisions and alternative language draft for contractual provisions as appropriate.
• Prepare supporting legal arguments and justifications for proposed revisions.
• Provide legal comments, analyses and briefing materials to support FAO and government counterparts participating in discussions with Emergent.
• Prepare legal analyses and written briefing notes concerning proposed contractual positions for consideration by FAO and Government counterparts.
Legal advisory support
• Support the collection, review, and organization of legal information relevant to the ERPA and information necessary for the VNFOREST to prepare reports and submissions relating to legal aspects of the ERPA.
• Prepare background materials, legal summaries, and supporting documentation for the VNFOREST's consideration and use in ERPA-related discussions and decision-making processes.
• Provide written legal opinions and recommendations when requested.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in law, particularly in International commercial law; International arbitration; Environmental or climate law
• 8 years of relevant experience in legal analysis, legal research, and review of international commercial agreements, contracts, and legal frameworks.
• Working knowledge of English and Vietnamese
• National of Vietnam or resident of the country with a valid work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Demonstrated experience with agreements governed by foreign laws, particularly New York law and/or English law.
• Demonstrated experience with international arbitration provisions, including ICC, VIAC or equivalent mechanisms.
• Strong knowledge of relevant Vietnamese legislation, including Civil law; Commercial law; Investment law; Forestry law; Public finance and budgetary regulations; Procedures concerning recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards.
• Demonstrated experience participating in international negotiations and working directly with foreign counterparties and legal counsel.
• Strong analytical, advocacy, negotiation and persuasion skills.
• Availability to participate in online and in-person meetings according to the Buyer’s time zones and negotiation schedule, including urgent requests when necessary.
Selection criteria
• Advanced degree (master’s or PhD) in Law is highly desirable
• Valid license to practice law, including a valid practicing certificate/bar association membership in Viet Nam; and/or Valid professional legal qualification in another jurisdiction.
• Excellent legal English skills, with the ability to negotiate directly, conduct legal discussions, prepare contractual language, and engage professionally with international lawyers and representatives without interpretation support
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
- For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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