Organizational Setting

At the country level, the Country Programming Framework (CPF) for Viet Nam has been serving as the basis for FAO’s works in Viet Nam for the period of 2022-2026. Climate Change Response, Disaster Resilience and Environmental Sustainability is one of the four FAO strategic priorities under the CPF. The Country Office (CO), with technical support from RAP GEF team, has successfully mobilized significant resources from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to address the issues related to water resources management, fisheries and aquaculture, environment, biodiversity and ecosystem restoration in Viet Nam.
FAO Vietnam, in partner with the Agriculture Projects Management Board (APMB), is formulating the GEF-8 project “Supporting sustainable fisheries development through the promotion of initiatives, environmentally-friendly technologies and climate adaptation”, of which the Concept Note has been endorsed by the GEF Secretariat. The project’s aim is to safeguard critical marine ecosystems and reverse coastal biodiversity loss in Viet Nam's priority productive seascapes by mainstreaming Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management and Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture frameworks into spatial planning, expanding shared-governance Other effective area-based conservation measures (such as Fisheries Resource Protected Areas), and scaling biodiversity-positive production systems.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall administrative supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in Viet Nam, the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) from RAP, and in collaboration with FAO GEF specialists, the GEF Design Expert and the entire PPG team.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support the formulation of the Project Document for GEF, and be responsible for generating and collating information to inform the technical content, structure and implementation approach of the project

Tasks and responsibilities

Specifically, the Ecosystem/Biodiversity Expert will support the GEF Design Expert in carrying out the following tasks:

• Review, assess and document proposed interventions’ potential impacts and risks; ensure alignment with biodiversity conservation objectives within and around the national parks and other protected areas in the project target provinces; identify measures to minimize potential negative impacts of proposed interventions on water resources, forest areas, wildlife habitats, and ecological connectivity.
• Contribute to the development of practical screening criteria and safeguards to ensure that proposed activities do not adversely affect critical habitats, wildlife, ecosystem functions, or protected area values.
• Identify opportunities to promote biodiversity-friendly and climate-resilient practices.
• Support the integration of biodiversity considerations, environmental safeguards, and sustainable natural resource management principles into the project design and implementation framework.
• Collate, analyze and document all information on ecosystems, current baseline policies related to biodiversity, ecosystem, environment; provide technical input on ecosystem information in relevant sections on baseline and background in the Project Document.
• Synthesize information on changes in the conditions of ecosystems in the project target provinces, good practices and lessons learnt
• Work as part of the formulation team to rationale connections of the proposed interventions with the GEF focal areas (Biodiversity, Land Degradation, Climate Change and Ecosystem Restoration) and resonate the project’s contribution to the Global Environment Benefits (GEBs).
• Participation in field visits and workshops as required throughout the PPG process.
• Support the processes of drafting project documentation and responding to reviews.
• Support the development of biodiversity and environmental monitoring indicators relevant to the proposed interventions.
• Support the development the ProDoc (Vietnamese version) and it annexes as required by Decree 242/2025/NĐ-CP, review and draft comments to address comments/ feedbacks from relevant Departments as well as related Ministries.
• Any other tasks required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• High level academic degree (Master or PhD) in Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Fisheries or related field;
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the biodiversity and fisheries sector or a related field in Viet Nam;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Vietnamese;
• National of Viet Nam or resident in the Country with a valid permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Previous experience working on GEF projects or other international donors’ projects preferred;
• Relevant experience in working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, particularly in multilateral organizations;
• Experience in working with partners in Viet Nam at all levels (Ministries, provinces, private sectors, etc.);
• Good command of computer skills;
• Good research, analysis, and report writing skills;
• Proven ability to deliver quality outputs working under tight deadlines.