National Consultant – Biodiversity Expert for Advance ABS Implementation in Cambodia Project
| For : | Cambodian Only |
| Categories : | Agriculture - Forestry, Research / Development, Resources & Environment |
| Schedule : | Full time job |
| Sex : | Male, Female |
| Language : | Khmer, English |
| Location : | Phnom Penh |
| Hiring : | 1 Position |
| Closing Date : | 30th September 2026 |
| Salary : |
Negotiable
|
| Experience : | Minimum 7 years |
| Degree : | Ph.D. |
The advancing Access and Benefit Sharing (A-ABS) Implementation in Cambodia Project and its interventions are purpose-built and closely focus on addressing legal, institutional, and stakeholder capacity gaps related to Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). The key expected results include strengthened national ABS governance, capacity development for stakeholders, demonstration projects for ABS implementation, and knowledge management.
To strengthen national ABS governance, the project will develop and implement ABS legal and regulatory frameworks at national and sub-national levels, aligned with the Nagoya Protocol, including policy guidelines, permit systems, and compliance monitoring. By doing these, the project expects a fully operational ABS framework at national and sub-national levels, ensuring compliance and improved resource management. It is believed that the clear, streamlined, and tightly integrated legal and policy frameworks will enhance coordination among stakeholders and improve equitable access to and sharing of benefits derived from genetic resources.
The project will conduct targeted training programs to develop local capacity for government officials, the private sector actors, and indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs) on ABS negotiations, monitoring, and sustainable use of genetic resources. The improved knowledge and skill set among stakeholders are expected to increase compliance and foster more equitable and sustainable ABS partnerships.
- Conduct Desk Review and Assessment:
- Conduct a comprehensive desk review of existing studies, reports, and data on Cambodia's biodiversity, with a focus on medicinal and aromatic plants in Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri provinces.
- Review the project document's list of potential species (The project will share the biodiversity profile of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri with the selected consultant for reference)
- Field Assessment and Species Identification:
- Visit project sites, meet community protected areas (CPAs), IPLCs, Provincial Department of Environment (PDoE) Officials, NGOs, local businesses, and other relevant stakeholders to identify and verify the potential species for Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri, corresponding private sector engagement (activity 3.1.2.1), especially IPLCs and local communities that stand to benefit economically from genetic resources (GRs) and TK in ways previously not fathomed.
- Assess the availability, volume, and distribution of target species in the wild, ensuring that any proposed utilization is sustainable and does not threaten wild populations.
- Meet private sector buyers, traders, and processors (which are engaged in herbal medicines and cosmetics products), list our their species of interests, match them with the species available in Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri.
- Collect scientific data (e.g., herbarium specimens, photos, GPS coordinates) for the identification and verification of species.
- Species Shortlisting and Rationale:
- Develop a clear and scientifically defensible criteria for shortlisting species, based on the project's guidelines, including: 1) Socio-economic value for IPLCs, 2) Presence of associated TK, 3) Threatened status, 4) Recognized medicinal or commercial potential, 5) Well-documented traditional uses, and 6) Potential for equitable benefit-sharing.
- Based on the criteria and field assessment, lead the process to agree on a final list of at least 10 species for the demonstration projects, ensuring a balanced representation for both Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri.
- For each selected species, prepare a detailed profile that includes its botanical description, conservation status, associated TK, sustainable harvesting protocols, and potential for cultivation (nursery establishment).
- Technical Support for Safeguards and Planning:
- Contribute to the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and the implementation of the project's Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), specifically regarding biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management.
- Provide technical inputs for improvement of guidelines for climate-resilient ABS-friendly restoration practices using the selected medicinal plant species.
- Provide technical guidance for the establishment of nurseries for the selected species, including best practices for propagation and cultivation (Activity 3.1.2.9).
- Provide technical oversight for the restoration efforts of forested land using saplings from the nurseries (Activity 3.1.2.10).
- Reporting and Coordination:
- Present findings to the Project Management Unit (PMU), the ABS TWG, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate with the PMU and other consultants (e.g., the Business Engagement Expert) to ensure a cohesive approach to the demonstration projects.
- Ensure that all work is aligned with the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and the project's Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).
- Khmer - Fluent is required
- English - Fluent is required
- Master's Degree in biology, Botany, Forestry, Biodiversity, Environmental Sciences or other related fields
- Phd is preferred
- Natural resources management, biodiversity and forest conservation, ecosystem protection, or related field for 7 years as a minimum
- A Cambodian National with a high level of fluency in written and spoken English and Khmer is required.
- Understanding of Access and Benefit Sharing, including an understanding of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol; Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT), ABS contract negotiation, and permit/certificate issuance.
- Proven experience in working with the IPLCs and CPAs, with an understanding of GR, TK and IKSP.
- Understanding of Cambodia’s businesses engaged in buying, trading, and processing of species that have medicinal and cosmetic products.
- Experience in secondary and field-related data collection and analysis
- Good team player, self-starter, has the ability to work under minimal supervision and maintain good relationships.
Interested candidates are expected to send their applications, giving examples of relevant work for all criteria given in the minimum qualification section, no later than the closing date (5:00 PM) to address and/or email provided in the contact details. The top scorers will be shortlisted for an interview.
Thanks, From Khmer Online Jobs Team
| Company : | Advance ABS Implementation in Cambodia Project |
| Email : | absprojectcambodia2026@gmail.com |
| Address : | Morodok Techo Building (Lot 503), Sangkat Tonle Basak, Khan Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
