Background

The project offers an intervention strategy for the development of rural tourism in Armenia with the objective of creating sustainable income-generating opportunities as supplemental income source to reduce the level of rural poverty, contribute to equal territorial development and shape conducive environment for rural development. The project has three main components:

  • Component 1: Planning of sustainable integrated rural tourism- The tourism assets of the community will be identified, assessed and prioritized for the further development by preliminary expert assessment and participatory planning mechanism, which will outline the vision and strategy for the rural tourism development in the community through wide consultation and participation of the local stakeholders.
  •  Component 2: Increasing income level through diversification of tourism products and services in the community- Developing human resources through sector-specific trainings (business management, food processing, sales, marketing, training local guides, etc.) will help to address the knowledge gaps and prepare the local communities to effectively manage the tourism enterprises. Meanwhile all the actors integrated in both production, service provision and management will be trained in sustainable utilization of tourism assets and adoption of mechanisms to bring down the environmental impact of their activities. In addition, the project will facilitate the access of the local tourism enterprises to seed financing through the loan mechanism of SME DNC.
  • Component 3: Sustainable Destination Management- Establishing institutions like Destination Management Organizations (DMO) to engage the local stakeholders and authorities into management and development of the community as a tourism destination. Destinations present complex challenges for the sustainable management, development and marketing in that DMOs must serve a range of needs for tourists and tourism-related businesses, as well as the resident community, local businesses and state.

Assignment Objective
The objective of the current assignment is to develop and organize of the Integrated Rural Tourism Development Project’s PR and Communication services addressing rural development of the selected villages of Armenia.    
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of Integrated Rural Tourism Development Economist/Project Coordinator the incumbent will be responsible to:

  • Develop publicity strategies and campaigns online and offline to promote the project in Armenia and Russia
  • Design, write and/or produce presentations, press releases, articles, leaflets, ‘in-house' journals, reports, publicity brochures, information for web sites and promotional videos, draft speeches
  • Connect, network, and pitch local and Russian social media to promote Armenia, Integrated Rural Development Tourism project and rural tourism products
  • Organize promotional events such as press conferences, open days, exhibitions, tours and visits
  • On behalf of the project team attend events, conferences, exhibitions, trade shows, meeting, round tables to promote and attract attention
  • Provide guidelines for the project branding and web presence development
  • Provide other support and assistance as required in the field

General deliverables/ Outputs

  • Developed strategies and campaigns for promotion of the activities of the Project
  • Designed, written and/or produced presentations, press releases, articles, leaflets, ‘in-house' journals, reports, publicity brochures, information for web sites and promotional videos, draft speeches
  • Provided guidance for the project branding and on-line presence
     

Competencies

  • Ability to interpret results and provide practical recommendations.
  • Excellent communication and analytical skills.
  • Strong research and networking skills;
  • High level of motivation, ability to show initiative and work independently;
  • Excellent ability to write and communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism;
  • Ability to communicate effectively across different constituencies;
  • Strong interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different social and cultural background
  • Ability to deliver and reach the planned targets without undermining proper operational processes
  • Creativity, flexibility and an innovative approach to problem solving
  • Proven ability to work within the set time frames on multiple activities and tasks concurrently
  • Excellent computer literacy, knowledge of MS office software and web based applications.
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  Advanced university degree in Journalism, PR and Communications or related field.

Experience: At least 3 years of relevant experience in public relations, communications, journalism or other relevant field;

Languages:  Excellent knowledge of Armenian, English and Russian

 

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING METHODOLOGY:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications and experience, written test and financial proposal.
The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR;
Having received the highest cumulative (technical, written test and financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.
Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 70 points

Criteria A –Advanced university degree in public relations, mass communication, journalism or other related field. - max. points 10;
Criteria B –At least 3 years of relevant experience in public relations, communications, journalism or other relevant field. - max. points 10;
Criteria C - Exceptional writing, editing and communications skills. – max. 15 points
Criteria D- Advanced social media skills, familiarity with digital communications trends. - max. 10 points
Criteria E - Experience in development and implementation of communications strategies. - max. points 10
Criteria F – Graphic design, DTP, infographics skills – max. 5 points
Criteria G - Familiarity with tourism sector – max. 5 points
Criteria H - Work experience in similar assignments with international organizations - max. points 5.
 

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 30 points.
The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion.

Payment mode:

  • Payment will be made upon satisfactory performance of the consultant after submission and acceptance of respective claims and deliverables, accompanied with respective package of documents (duly completed monthly timesheets, reports etc.).
  • Evaluation of outcomes the responsibility of UNDP.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

General Conditions of Contract is available here: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).