Antecedentes

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 (DT) within the Department of Industry (DI) 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 DT 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.

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 Division of Tourism 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 aim of this assignment is to support DT in achieving its objectives.

Deberes y responsabilidades

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

• In close cooperation with and at the consent of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and UNDP prepare a detailed action plan for the assignment, including the expected delivery dates for each deliverable.

Finalize the Strategy and Action Plan for Tourism:

• In close cooperation with the existing working group, review the strategy to reflect the current situation with regards to tourism in Kosovo;
• Propose activities which would lead to achieving the objectives of the strategy;
• In agreement with the working group, reflect the possible changes in the strategy;
• Finalize the strategy and propose activities for the action plan. Reflect the changes as necessary.

Identify policy priorities for DT:

• In line with the 2014 Work Plan, identify specific policies which need to be designed in developing proper functioning of the tourism industry in Kosovo;
• Identify projects and potential donors in the field of tourism;
• Assist the DT staff to set up two pilot touristic zones for the regions of Albanian Alps and Sharr and in cooperation with relevant stakeholders (ministries, donors and community) draft the regulatory plans of the two touristic zones;
• Support DT in drafting 2015 work plan.

Support the staff of DT in developing the Touristic Product and Rural Tourism:

• Facilitate DT staff in finalizing project proposals for the touristic product development in the regions of Albanian Alps and Sharr;
• Continue with the identification of touristic products in the Sharr, Prishtina, Anamorava and Mitrovica regions and produce a guide with all identified landmarks;
• Identify the gaps on touristic services with regard to touristic product and rural tourism and propose measures to improve them.
• Provide on the job training and coaching to the relevant staff in the division/department.

Assist DT staff to functionalize the Council of Tourism:

• Organize a workshop/seminar for the staff of the DT and other stakeholders about regional and/or European best practices of running the Council of Tourism;
• In cooperation with members of the Council and based on the workshop outcome, draft the annual plan of activities for the Council indicating the budget estimates.

Report regularly to the Head of the Department of Industry.

Submit a final report to the Department of Industry and UNDP containing main findings, achievements and future recommendations covering the above specified tasks.

Expected Results

During the ten months assignment covering period September 2014 – July 2015, the consultant is expected to provide the below indicated deliverables:

Deliverables/ Outputs

• Detailed action plan is prepared.

Review and Approvals Required

• Head of DI / AfT Project Manager.

Deliverables/ Outputs

• Strategy and Action Plan for Tourism finalized.

Review and Approvals Required

• Head of DI / AfT Project Manager.

Deliverables/ Outputs

• Policy priorities for DT are identified.

Review and Approvals Required

• Head of DI / AfT Project Manager.

Deliverables/ Outputs

• Development of the Touristic Product and Rural Tourism is supported.

 Review and Approvals Required

• Head of DI / AfT Project Manager.

Deliverables/ Outputs

• Council of Tourism is functionalized.

Review and Approvals Required

• Head of DI / AfT Project Manager.

Deliverables/ Outputs

• Final report is submitted and approved.

Review and Approvals Required

• Head of DI / AfT Project Manager.

Deliverables / Final Products Expected 

The duration of the assignment is 10 months. All deliverables are to be implemented in close cooperation with DT staff and the Head of Department of Industry in MTI, and approved by the latter.
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 :

 The lump sum amount shall be paid in 10 tranches.

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).

Competencias

• Ability to synthesize research and draw conclusions on the related subjects;
• 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.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

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

Experience:

• Minimum five 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.
• Experience in delivering workshops on subjects related to tourism.

Language:

• Good knowledge of English language
• Knowledge of the Albanian language is a distinct advantage.