29 May 2013

OPPORTUNITY: ABA-UNDP International Legal Resource Center - Cambodia

The ABA-UNDP International Legal Resource Center (ILRC) has received a request from UNDP/Cambodia for an expert to assist in the formulation of climate change legislation. In response to climate change impacts on national development, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) established in 2006 a high-level inter-ministerial National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) to provide policy guidance and coordination. In 2010, the NCCC launched the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance (CCCA), a multi-donor initiative aimed at creating the enabling conditions required for Cambodia to respond to the challenges and opportunities of Climate Change. The CCCA organizational structure is based on strong Government ownership and alignment with the existing Government institutional arrangements. The CCCA is implemented by the Ministry of Environment (MoE) on behalf of the NCCC and integrated into the organization and function of the Climate Change Department. The CCCA team also includes members from key lines ministries and members of the NCCC. The overall objective of the CCCA is to strengthen the capacity of the NCCC to fulfill its mandate to address climate change and to enable line ministries and CSOs to implement priority climate change actions.

One of the expected key results of CCCA is to improve the capacity to coordinate national policy making, capacity development, outreach/advocacy efforts, and to monitor the implementation of the national climate change strategy, policy and plans. The CCCA program is supporting the Government to formulate the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan (CCCSP) which is in line with the country priorities as indicated in the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) update. Development of the CCCSP is to provide strategic guidance to support Cambodia to prepare itself not only to address climate change impacts, but also to take opportunities of global climate change funding support for initiatives contributing to Cambodia’s sustainable development and poverty reduction. The CCCSP will also provide strategic guidance on how climate change can contribute to emission reduction and resilient capacity, paving the way for sustainable development and effective poverty reduction. The comprehensive process of the CCCSP development requires the assistance of external and internal expertise to the CCCA. This includes the formulation of legislation crucial for the implementation of the CCCSP and national climate change response.


The main objective of the assignment is to mainstream and integrate climate change issues into related policies and core legislations and reinforce capacities in legislation formulation in RGC.

The specific objectives are to:

  1. Undertake an in-depth review of the existing climate change related policies, strategies, environmental legislations, institutional arrangements and relevant provisions of UNFCCC to mainstream climate change into the national environmental legislative framework;
  2. Compilation and review of relevant laws and provision of recommendations for climate change legislation;
  3. Make recommendations to mainstream climate change into environmental legislative framework;
  4. Draft legal texts towards amending or formulating climate change legislation or regulations;
  5. Enhance knowledge and techniques on formulation and drafting on legislations with a focus on mainstreaming climate change.
The legal expert is expected to undertake the following tasks:

  • Take stock of and assess the legislative, regulatory and policy documents pertaining to climate change mitigation and adaptation in the environment field, including institutional arrangements;
  • Take stock of proposals and recommendations made in the CCCSP with a view to mainstreaming climate change into the environment legislative framework. He/she should also take into consideration the relevant obligations and decisions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC);
  • Identify further gaps, weaknesses and needs for integration of climate change mitigation and adaptation in the environmental legislations;
  • Make recommendations (legislative and regulatory measures) to mainstream climate change issues into the Environment Protection Act and environmental regulations, and to amend the institutional and/or financial framework for Climate Change management in Cambodia, as required;
  • In line with the recommendations made, draft texts pertaining to proposed legislative and regulatory amendments; and
  • Prepare training materials and deliver a two-days training on capacity building of Senior Officers on formulation and drafting of legislations in general, with focus on climate change mainstreaming.
The assignment is expected to take up to 40 working days over the period from 15 June to 15 October 2013. The assignment is mainly home-based and part time from their home country. However, the candidate is required to make two trips to Phnom Penh with up to 20 working days during the assignment. Experts must submit a CV, cover letter and P-11 form along with a financial proposal by June 4th, 2013, 5pm EDT (see submission list at the foot of this email).*

S/he must have the following:

o Advanced degree in Law or related field
o At least 7 years of experience as a legal practitioner
o Relevant experience in review and drafting of laws or regulatory instruments; assessment and review of policies; as a trainer and facilitator
o Experience with the review and drafting of laws in relation to the environment sector and working experience on climate change issues
o Up-to-date knowledge of environment and climate change issues, environmental laws and policies
o Excellent writing, and communications skills
o Proficient computer and internet skills including Microsoft Office
o Proven ability to work flexibly and independently with limited supervision in a multicultural team environment and deliver quality results against tight deadlines;
o Fluency in English required (written and spoken). Fluency in Khmer would be a strong advantage

Please find an in-depth summary of this request as an attachment [Not Attached. - SPD]. We would be most appreciative if you would review and determine whether you, anyone you know or any organization with which you are affiliated may have any knowledge of experts who might be good candidates. If you or members of your organization are interested in working with UNDP, please send expression of interest by June 4th, 2013, 5pm EDT. As always, we appreciate your assistance and please do not hesitate to contact us for more information or if you have any questions.

Documents to submit:

Completed applications must be sent to Jacqueline.Gichinga@americanbar.org.

No comments: