UNDP Jobs - 51451- Re-advertisement - International Senior Tourism Ex

Re-advertisement - International Senior Tourism Expert (Transfer of Czech Experience)

Location :

Prishtinë/Pristina (Ministry of Trade and Industry), Kosovo, UNSCR 1244 (1999)

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Dec-2014

Application Deadline :

24-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

01 December 2014 – 14 January 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

01 December 2014 – 14 January 2015 (22 w/days within this period)

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Aid for Trade project aims to support Kosovo’s public institutions, private enterprises and other relevant stakeholders as they strive to develop a vibrant and export-oriented private sector. The project attempts to achieve these objectives by strengthening the technical capacities of partner beneficiaries and facilitating their access to relevant support services. As part of these broader goals and objectives, the Aid for Trade project provides targeted technical assistance interventions to support the capacities of the Ministry of Trade and Industry in designing and monitoring policies in the areas of its mandate.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has set a goal that tourism will constitute about 10-12% of GDP by 2020 and has so far signed tourism development agreements with Albania and Macedonia and is in the process of signing such an agreement with Montenegro. This is an indication that the Government acknowledges the importance of this sector in future economic development of Kosovo.

The Division of Tourism (DoT) within the Department of Industry (DoI) in MTI has the authority to design policies on tourism. According to the Regulation 29/2012 on internal MTI organization and systematization of jobs, among others, the duties and responsibilities of the DoT include: designing of tourism legislation, strategic policy documents for tourism development, providing support to the promotion of Kosovo as a touristic destination, creating conditions for cooperation with international tourism associations, provide support to the organization of fairs, conferences and workshops in the field of tourism and hotels. Nevertheless, Division lacks the necessary capacities in terms of designing and implementing tourism related policies.

This assignment is part of the agreement between UNDP and the Czech Trust Fund that is specifically looking at transferring Czech expertise and experience to Kosovo institutions. The added value of the Czech expertise to this project is manifold taking into account the good experience and expertise related to research in tourism, strategy formulation, and marketing. On the latter, the successful promotion of the Czech tourism brand (the successful promotion of the Czech cultural heritage, its tourist attraction sites, local gastronomic products, traditional clothes and folklore) would be a significant know-how for Kosovo. In terms of institutional structure, establishment and organization of the Czech Tourist Authority and its functions would also be a very relevant experience for the Kosovo DoT, especially taking into account that the tourist division is newly established and a functioning initial foundation is very important for the future operation of this institutional unit.

Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of this assignment is to support the Ministry of Trade and Industry in its efforts to strengthen the capacities of the DoT with focus on designing tourism related policies in line with the MTI objectives, improve the functionality of the Division and provide strategic direction and guidance.
To this end, and in line with the more detailed tasks provided in the Scope of Work section, the overall objective of this assignment is to provide DoT with a clear road map for the future that would enable it to achieve its objective in the medium and long-term.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the DoI in MTI and overall guidance by the Aid for Trade Project Manager, and in close cooperation with the DoT, the consultant is expected to:

Review relevant materials and assess the degree to which the technical and human capacities of the DoT are in line with its mandate to design and monitor the implementation of policies on tourism;
Provide an overview of best practices in the operations of institutions with similar mandates in the Czech Republic, which includes, but is not limited to, information on:

The relevant physical infrastructure and technical tools that are needed to ensure substantive and qualitative policy analysis and monitoring; Systematic training/capacity building mechanisms that are in place;
Relevant work processes that are typical for such institutions, particularly in relation to other government bodies and/or implementing agencies;
Relevant domestic and international agencies/platforms on tourism policy and modality of coordination and exchange of information, etc.

In close consultation with key staff at MTI, and on the basis of the assessment and best international practices, prepare a detailed participatory two-year action plan for DoT that would serve as a guide in achieving its medium-term objectives, including here the development of clear benchmarks, targets and performance indicators;
Present the action plan including identification and design of specific and relevant capacity building interventions for DoT;
Support in drafting the agenda for the study visit to the Czech Republic;
Submit a final report to the DoI and UNDP containing main findings, achievements and future recommendations covering the above specified tasks;
Organize a validation workshop to present and discuss the findings of the report to relevant stakeholders.

Expected Results:

Deliverables/ Outputs

Technical and human capacities of DoT assessed.

Estimated Duration to Complete:

5 w/days.

Target Due Dates:

01 – 05 Dec 2014.

Review and Approvals Required

Head of DI / AfT Project Manager.

Deliverables/ Outputs

Relevant technical tools needed for policy analysis, monitoring and mapping of the relevant international/platforms on tourism policies identified.

Estimated Duration to Complete:

5 w/days.

Target Due Dates:

08 – 12 Dec 2014.

Review and Approvals Required:

Head of DI / AfT Project Manager.

Deliverables/ Outputs

First draft of detailed two-year action plan for DoT prepared.

Estimated Duration to Complete:

5 w/days.

Target Due Dates:

15 – 19 Dec 2014

Review and Approvals Required

Head of DI / AfT Project Manager.

Deliverables/ Outputs

Final draft of the action plan is submitted and validated.

Estimated Duration to Complete:

2 w/days.

Target Due Dates:

05 – 06 Jan 2015.

Review and Approvals Required:

Head of DI / AfT Project Manager

Deliverables/ Outputs

Agenda for the study visit to Czech Republic drafted.

Estimated Duration to Complete:

2 w/days.

Target Due Dates:

08 – 09 Jan 2015.

Review and Approvals Required:

Head of DI / AfT Project Manager.

Deliverables/ Outputs

Final report containing main findings, achievements and future recommendations submitted.

Estimated Duration to Complete:

2 w/days.

Target Due Dates:

12 – 13 Jan 2015.

Review and Approvals Required:

Head of DI / AfT Project Manager

Deliverables/ Outputs

Validation workshop and discussion with the relevant stakeholders on the findings from the report organized.

Estimated Duration to Complete

1 w/day.

Target Due Dates:

14 Jan 2015.

Review and Approvals Required:

Head of DI / AfT Project Manager.

Deliverables / Final Products Expected

The duration of the assignment is 22 working days. All deliverables are to be implemented in close cooperation with DoT staff, the Head of DoI in MTI and UNDP Aid for Trade Project.

Through this assignment, the consultant is expected to produce:

Approved and validated two-year action plan for DT as described in the scope of work section of the terms of references;
Approved and confirmed agenda of the study visit to the Czech Republic;
Production of final report containing findings and recommendations;
Organization of a validation workshop and discussion with the relevant stakeholders on the findings from the report.

The final report incorporating main findings, achievements and recommendations covering the entire assignment is to be validated and approved by the Head of Department of Industry and Project Manager of the UNDP Aid for Trade project.

Scope of price proposal and schedule of payments
Lump sum payment schedule:

20% upon signature of the original contract;
30% upon successful completion of the first two deliverables;
50% upon successful completion of the remaining deliverables.

Recommended Presentation of Offer

The following documents may be requested:

Personal CV and P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price. The Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP;
Provide a list of similar profiles prepared during previous work experience.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

This section should indicate all the criteria which shall serve as basis for evaluating offers, which may be done in either of the following manner:

Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.

Application Instructions:

Click on the "Apply now" button;
Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation; You can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box;
Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume;
System will only allow one attachment. All docs (CV; P11; financial offer; list of similar profiles should be included as one attachment).

Competencies

Knowledge of the economic, political and social context of the Western Balkans;
Familiarity with the operations of public institutions in developing countries and the EU;
In-depth understanding of the tools and mechanisms for policy analysis and monitoring;
Ability to synthesize research and reach empirically-based conclusions on the related subjects;
Ability to design and synthesize action oriented plan for implementation of the recommendations;
Good analytical and report writing skills;
Good communication skills;
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment;
Excellent and team-building skills;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability in the assigned process;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Responds positively to critical feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Economics, Business Administration or other relevant field (specialization in Tourism Industry is a distinct advantage).

Experience:

Minimum seven years of demonstrated work experience in public institutions, international development agencies or NGO’s with substantive exposure to issues related to tourism development and policy analysis and the operations of public institutions Relevant experience in the Czech Republic is a requirement;
Knowledge and experience working with government officials at national levels, experience with Czech tourism-related policies and public institutions;
Demonstrated experience in successful implementation of public sector reform related to capacity development.

Language:

Fluency in the English language;
Other ECIS language will be an asset.