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Legal Consultant Providing Legal Advice and Support to the Local Communities

with Wildlife Conservation Society
Invitation for Bids

BTDC-ID: 35114
Closing Date:

Bid Components

Legal Consultant Providing Legal Advice and Support to the Local Communities

Announcement Description

In 2022, the Northern Plains Landscape (NPL) REDD+ project commenced in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province. Encompassing over 386,000 hectares across parts of Kulen Promtep, and Chhaeb-Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuaries, the project seeks to conserve forests for climate action, wildlife, and local livelihoods.

The NPL REDD+ project prioritizes environmental and social well-being by adhering to rigorous international standards. These include the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity (CCB) Standards. These frameworks ensure the project respects and supports the rights of stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities. This includes both statutory rights established by law and customary rights recognized by tradition. The NPL REDD+ project prioritizes the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) throughout its development and implementation. This means obtaining the consent of all relevant rights holders after providing clear and comprehensive information.

Therefore, FPIC consultation meetings will be conducted in the participating villages in the NPL REDD+ project. Additionally, a formal agreement on the cooperative implementation of the NPL REDD+ project will be signed between the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and elected community representatives from each village. The project seeks an independent, third-party legal consultant to support local communities during the FPIC process leading to signature of the cooperative agreement.

Bid Components

Legal Consultant Providing Legal Advice and Support to the Local Communities

  • Career Category: Consultancy
  • Location: Preah Vihear Province

Objectives

The primary objectives of this consultancy are:

  1. To understand the scope and goals of the REDD+ project and, in light of this, review the draft agreement to be signed by MoE and community representatives.
  2. To explain and lead the discussion on the draft agreement in meetings at commune/district level with community representatives
  3. To provide legal advice and support to the community representatives before signing the agreement.

Scope of Work

This assignment will involve reviewing the draft agreement and producing a simplified explanation for community representatives, following an internal REDD+ training to be delivered by WCS. It will also include participating in and lead the discussion with community representatives in approximately 62 villages across 18 communes and 5 districts within Preah Vihear Province on the consent agreement (See TOR below). Furthermore, the consultant will provide legal advice and support to community representatives regarding the agreement, addressing any questions or concerns they may have following the initial consultations. All consultation meetings will be documented, including attendance records, key discussions, and any agreements reached. A final report summarizing the consultation process, key findings, and any recommendations will be prepared.

Bidder Eligibility

  • Qualifications
  • The legal consultant meets the following qualifications:
  • Law degree from a recognized university.
  • Be a qualified lawyer and hold a Certificate of Lawyers’ Professional Skill.
  • Proven experience at least 5 years in community engagement and legal advocacy.
  • Strong understanding of Cambodian law, particularly related to land rights, environmental law, and community rights.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate complex legal information clearly and concisely to non-legal audiences.
  • Fluency in Khmer and English.
  • Experience working with local communities and indigenous people in REDD+ projects is highly desirable.
  • Ability to understand local context.
  • The consultant team will report to the Social Safeguards Technical Advisor who will oversee implementation of the FPIC consultations in NPL REDD+ Project.

Submission Requirements

Interested consultant please apply by email provided in the contact details.

 
Attachment
 

Contact Details

Office Address
  • No. 21, St. 21, Sangkat Tonle Basak, Khan Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
 
Contact Name
  • Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
 
Phone
 
Email