NC for Lao PDR Critical Forest Biome SESA and Annamite Strategy SESA

Country: Lao PDR Description of the Assignment:The consultant will undertake the following tasks: Task 1 – Desk Review of Policy, Regulatory, and Sectoral Context Review the Project environment and safeguard assessments, including the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF);Review the UNDP SES Toolkit for developing safeguards and planning instruments, available at this link. Draft table of contents for national SESA. Review national policies, strategies, and legal frameworks related to forestry, land use, biodiversity, agriculture, infrastructure, mining, and energy;Review private sector practices, including export-oriented production systems and value chains impacting PFLs; Assess existing regulatory instruments (e.g., quotas, zoning, licensing, concessions) and their effectiveness in managing pressures on PFLs; Prepare a desk review report summarizing findings and priority issues to present to UNDP and DoF for validation. Output: Desk Review Report on policy, regulatory, and sectoral context, including presentation to UNDP and Department of Forestry (DoF); draft Table of Contents for National SESA. Task 2 – Stakeholder Consultation and National Workshop Support and participate in a national-level stakeholder consultation workshop to validate findings and refine the scope of the SESA. Prepare consultation materials summarizing key findings from the desk review; Support UNDP in identifying and engaging relevant stakeholders across sectors (government, private sector, civil society); Participate in and contribute to the facilitation of the national workshop; Document stakeholder inputs, including key concerns, risks, and priorities related to PFL integration; Identify key policy gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities for strengthening PFL integration; Refine analytical focus and priority themes for the SESA based on consultation outcomes. Output: Stakeholder Consultation Summary Report and updated draft of SESA. Task 3 – Development of Policy-Level St