JOB DETAILS:

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programs, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

FAO Liberia is implementing a joint program on Community Forestry Management in two of Liberia’s priority landscapes. With funding from the Embassy of Sweden, and under an UN-to-UN arrangement with UNDP, through the Multi Partner Trust Fund (MPTF). FAO will implement the program working with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and other relevant government institutions, international and national non-governmental organizations, as well as development institutions working towards sustainable natural resource management, environmental protection, and biodiversity conservation.

The regulatory framework for Liberia’s community forest management is built on, amongst other important legal instruments, the National Forestry Law (2000), and subsequent amendments, the Community Rights Law (2009), the Land Rights Law (2018) and relevant forestry regulations. Ongoing studies by the FAO reveal that the Government of Liberia has enacted several laws, policies, and regulations to regulate the forestry sector. Despite these efforts, there remains a serious challenge for enforcement and coordination in curbing deforestation and land degradation, including weak enforcement, and failure to enact laws in keeping with international commitments such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Liberia Wildlife legislation is presently under discussion within the Legislature. Other challenges in the implementation, compliance and enforcement include:
•    Weak penalties for forestry and wildlife crimes.
•    Penalties do not meet the definition of a “serious crime” as per the United Nations Convention against transnational Organized Crime (UNODC) standard.
•    Absence of legislation that regulates/recognizes Carbon/Emission Reduction Rights as property making implementation of programs like REDD constrained.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Liberia and the direct supervision of the Legal Officer of the Development Law Service of the Legal Office, the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme, and in full collaboration with the Project Management Specialist and the Gender & Social Inclusion Specialist, the Consultant in coordination with UNDP and FDA colleagues will undertake the tasks outlined below.

Technical Focus 

Review and analyse existing legal instruments including national legislations, plans, and assessments and recommend changes or new instruments (as deemed appropriate), for proper implementation compliance and enforcement.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Submit an inception report comprising of a methodology, timeline, and required resources.
•    Conduct a comprehensive desk review/literature review of relevant reports (FAO and others) and statutory instruments (including laws, acts, regulations, decrees, resolutions, and customary instruments/practices) as well as interviews with key stakeholders (government, communities, private sector, parliamentarians, etc.), for an up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of the situation in the country, which will serve as the basis to develop the legal analysis.
•    Conduct and produce a legal analysis, focusing on forestry-related legal instruments, taking into consideration tenure governance on land and forest highlighting existing opportunities, gaps, and inconsistencies among and within forest-related sectors, that affect the implementation, compliance, and enforcement of sustainable management of forests, specifically focusing on legal gaps that constrain the full engagement of local communities (including vulnerable groups, women, and youth) in sustainable forest management.
•    Based on the legal analysis, develop set of recommendations to implement the forestry legal framework, including possible modifications or proposals for inclusion in the various legal and policy documents related to the dissemination and promotion of these instruments before the corresponding sanctioning bodies.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in law. Preferably with a specialization and previous consulting experience in environmental, forestry, or natural resources law
•    Eight (5) years of professional experience in the legal field, particularly in assessments of the legal and institutional frameworks governing forestry and forestry-related sector including land and community rights
•    Working knowledge of English level C
•    National of Liberia or resident of the country with valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Knowledge of the structure and normative contents of forestry-related legislation at national, regional, and international levels
•    Understanding of the gender and governance implications of the management of forest and natural resources.
•    Proven ability to build good relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including government institutions, NGOs, and local communities, and conduct fieldwork.
•    Previous experience working on international donor projects is highly preferred.
•    Proven ability in drafting clearly and precisely in English, and in conducting in-depth but succinct analyses of legal matters with specific and practical recommendations; the ability to read and/or write in French would be an advantage.

Selection Criteria 

•    Very high skills/knowledge of background related to the ToR’s requirements
•    Strong report writing skills in English
•    Experience with UN and other International Organizations would be an asset

ABSTRACT:

Food and Agriculture Organization Legal Specialist (Review of Analysis of the National Legislation, Plans and Assessment of Tenure Governance on Land and Forest) Liberia FAO Jobs 2024

Food and Agriculture Organization looking for “Legal Specialist (Review of Analysis of the National Legislation, Plans and Assessment of Tenure Governance on Land and Forest)”. Applicants with an Advanced degree may apply on or before 26-Jul-24.

The Food and Agriculture Organization has published a job vacancy announcement on 11/07/2024 for qualified applicants to fill in the vacant post of Legal Specialist (Review of Analysis of the National Legislation, Plans and Assessment of Tenure Governance on Land and Forest) to be based in Monrovia , Liberia. For more jobs, please visit https://unjoblink.org

Company Name: Food and Agriculture Organization

Job Title: Legal Specialist (Review of Analysis of the National Legislation, Plans and Assessment of Tenure Governance on Land and Forest)

Duty Station: Monrovia , Liberia

Country: Liberia

Application Deadline: 26-Jul-24