Background
This project is funded by GEF through the UNDP and implemented by the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA). The objective is to increase the resilience of the tourism sector of Samoa, through mainstreaming climate risks into tourism-related policy processes and adaptation actions in coastal communities and tourism operators. Further directing this objective are two project Outcomes:
Climate change adaptation mainstreamed into tourism-related policy instruments and pubic – private partnerships through;
Management plans integrating climate risks;
Technical guidelines on climate resilient beach tourism management practices;
Recommendations to internalise climate change into existing micro-finance, grant and loan schemes and feasibility of climate risk insurance;
Increased adapted capacity to climate change and disaster risks of tourism–reliant communities through;
Concrete adaptation actions (community projects and small grant tourism operator projects);
Climate early warning and information system;
Tourism adaptation case studies.
The Project commenced on 29 May 2013, and is in its third year of implementation, with a current forecast completion date in January 2017. A first round of small grants has been rolled out between 2015 and 2016 for an approximate amount of USD 130,000 for small tourism operators to develop and implement sound climate smart ideas at their own initiative.
In January 2016 a Mid Term Review (MTR) of the project made a number of recommendations in order to strengthen its achievement of the project goal in the remaining timeframe, including:
Shifting resources within the project from major community-based projects not yet started to a second round of the small grants component, to allow the project to achieve larger initiatives in partnership with the private tourism sector;
Recruiting a Sustainable Tourism Development Expert (STDE) to assist and coordinate implementation of the re-scoped project.
The assignment of the STDE is to be undertaken over two Phases:
Phase One will be focussed on work planning, redesign of the second round of the small grants component and leading a team to design a set of options to build climate change proof tourism businesses;
Phase Two will be focussed on construction supervision and case study documentation.
Duties and Responsibilities
Phase One roles:
The role of the STDE in Phase One would be to provide the Project Manager (PM) with significant strategic tourism expertise to maximise the integration of the project outcomes into mainstream tourism policy, planning and development, as directed in the MTR Final Report Recommendations. The specific tasks would be to:
Assist the PM log tasks, connect related tasks, establish a critical path, allocate external resources required;
Lead the integration of the Tourism Development Area (TDA) Management Plans, Technical Guidelines and Micro Finance Report into STA tourism policy and planning instruments;
Assist the Principal Technical Officer to redesign the second round of the small grants component in line with the MTE Report Recommendations;
Support to the recruitment of a Fale Design Team to design a set of options to build climate change proof tourism businesses;
Ensure the shortlisted applicants of the second round of small grants are within the most vulnerable tourism operators in the country to the effects of climate change and natural disasters;
Lead and supervise the Fale Design Team in order to;
Ensure the accomodation options fit the needs of tourism target markets and the local industry;
Ensure that the accommodation options include climate change adaptation solutions which position Samoa tourism as a model for other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) countries with similar issues and characteristics;
Determine target markets and their needs in relation to a coastal accommodation experience;
Test the design options with representatives of target market visitors and make recommendations to the Fale Design Team;
Ensure the accommodation options are creative, different and competitive with the existing beachfront equivalent opportunities currently available; and
Ensure the accommodation options are fully achievable within the expected budgetary constraints.
Work closely with the project team to solve their barriers to implementation and add value to their work to maximise implementation capability.
Phase Two roles:
The role of the STDE in Phase Two would be to:
Assist small grant applicants enhance their proposals as follows:
Conduct an indicative two-week intensive support program for shortlisted small grant applicants with the Fale Design Team in order to:
Create a vision for their business that is climate change resilient and more competitive to target markets, presented as a concept site map (laminated showing grant works and future staged completion) to inspire and guide the operator for years to come;
Jointly choose the most effective parts of the vision to deliver through the project resources (stage 1 of a multi staged initiative), ensuring that stage 1 does not leave any construction process half way;
Add value to the small grant initiatives through detailed design; and
Shape the design to streamline development approvals in collaboration with the Planning and Urban Management Agency (PUMA) and the Ministry of Works, so they can be fast tracked and not delay project implementation.
Tour the second round of small grant initiatives sites with the Principal Technical Officer at least twice during the implementation period, to ensure projects are being delivered as agreed, and to jointly solve any strategic issues with the tourism operator(s).
Assist a video producer to make a documentary about the most successful small grants projects by:
- Developing ToR for a documentary to be produced that documents the small grants initiatives that demonstrate the best results in line with the project objective;
- Researching the best projects to feature, what to feature and what to film about them, including connection with the operators through the support of STA, to gain their full support to access the site, film and interview them on camera;
- Developing a tour program and the video script, and organizing the tour to film each site and its features;
- Selecting a group of emerging operators interested in making their tourism businesses more resilient to climate change to come on a tour of successful small grants initiatives to see how each successful small grant beneficiary has achieved its goal. The project team and the STDE would introduce each project, then the operator would take the group for a site tour, and then the group would have a facilitated discussion led by the STDE, to gain their reactions to the work. The reactions would be captured on video for integration into the documentary;
- Overseeing the Video Producer edit and produce a draft of the documentary, gaining feedback from the Project Steering Committee, and overseeing finalisation by the Video Producer.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies
- Knowledge Management and Learning;
- Creative ideas and ability to think outside the box while maintaining cultural integrity;
- Shares knowledge and experience;
- Excellent project management, leadership and team coordination skills;
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
- Ability to work at the local community level with family operated tourism businesses.
Development and Operational Effectiveness
- Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to administrative supports, including project data management support, reporting, and logistics for project implementation.
Leadership and Self-Management
- Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multicultural environment.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Academic qualifications in the fields of tourism, sustainable tourism, business or economics, climate change and environment related to the tourism sector.
Experience:
- Over 10 years experience working with national tourism authorities/organisations, developing and implementing tourism policy and planning;
- Multiple recent work experiences in various parts of the Pacific region in sustainable tourism policy, planning and development;
- Multiple recent examples of experience in the design and management of grant funded programs, and in the preparation of projects submissions ;
- Familiarity with Samoa’s Strategic Tourism Plan (particularly strategies pertaining to product development, and the profiles and needs of Samoa’s tourism target markets);
- Ability to work with and supervise multi-disciplinary teams that together develop sustainable tourism projects – particularly in the building, landscape and marketing disciplines;
Language:
- Fluency in English (oral and written) is a requirement
Note:
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