The “Aid for Trade for Central Asia” project promotes inclusive, green economic growth through promoting trade and enhancing national competitiveness and sustainable development.

The AFT project in phase IV focuses on supporting Central Asian countries in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth patterns in rural areas and within green productive sectors. The project works on the macro (policy), meso (trade support institutions) and micro (SMEs & producers) levels ensuring that interventions at the three levels are mutually supportive to ensure a focused impact level. Two cross-cutting themes are gender equality and environmental sustainability.

The AFT project conducted a study for the definition of 3 products of CA countries, which have the best potential in terms of job creation and exports. The study identified the tourism sector (slow tourism) as one of the areas of potential. In 2020, the project will support the tourism sector with active market linkages including to Finnish customers. 

In order to carry out this work, the Aid for Trade project intends to involve a well-qualified International Consultant to organize B2B meetings in Kyrgyzstan with tourism sectors actors from Finland. The International Consultant will closely work with the AFT project team and local actors and should establish business links between the Finnish and Kyrgyz tourism sectors, preferably with agreements. 

Under the supervision of the Project Manager of Aid for Trade project in IRH, the International Consultant (IC) will undertake the following tasks:

Pre-B2B: preparation work should include:

•  Identification of the main stakeholders in the Finnish tourism market;
•  Identification of the main Finnish consumer brackets for the Kyrgyz tourism sector;
•  Identification of current existing supply of tourism package from Finland to Kyrgyzstan with a special focus on niche markets i.e. nature tourism, bird watching. The niche markets need to fit in the category of sustainable tourism;
•  Identification of preferred tourism product of Finnish consumers;
•  Identification of minimum standards from a Finnish perspective for a safe tourism sector during Covid-19;
•  Identification of cost brackets preferences for Finnish consumers (packages weekly);
•  Identification of minimum quality standards required by Finnish consumers (accommodation, food, transportation) for further review of available service of Kyrgyz tourism sector;
•  Ensure that at least three main tourism services providers from Finland to participate in B2B meetings in Kyrgyzstan;
•  Consolidate and submit brief information on requirements from Finnish consumers (safety, standards to accommodation, food, transportation), preferred tour products and consumers profiles;

B2B: mission

•  Implement all logistical actions for B2Bs from the Finnish side;
• Assist UNDP in the negotiation process between the Kyrgyz and Finnish companies and advise UNDP on contracting terms. Provide advisory support to Finnish and Kyrgyz companies in meeting market demands from Finland
•  Provide advisory support to Finnish and Kyrgyz companies in meeting market demands from Finland;;  
•  Prepare narrative report on conducted activities providing clear guidance on required improvements and next steps.  

Logistical arrangements in Kyrgyzstan will be organised by the project in order to accommodate the needs of stakeholders from the Finnish tourism sector.  The logistical arrangements include land transportation and where need be meeting rooms but will not include hotel accommodation, food etc. Travel will only be possible if national authorities will allow to do so. Strict sanitary measures implemented by national authorities to avoid possible spreading need to be adhered to. 

Timeline and schedule (tentative)

• Deliverable 1 -  Pre-B2B assessment report - 70% of total cost, upon satisfactory submission of deliverable and acceptance by the responsible UNDP officer: deadline: 15 August 2020
• Deliverable 2 - B2B mission report - 30% of total cost, upon satisfactory submission of deliverable and acceptance by the responsible UNDP officer: deadline: latest by mid-May 2021

Corporate competencies:

•  Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
•  Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
•  Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
•  Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
•  Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Functional competencies:

•  Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team
•  Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
•  Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations
•  Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities
•  Excellent public speaking and presentation skills

Education: 

• At least a BA degree in social sciences, sciences or tourism related sciences  

Experience: 

•  At least 10 years work experience in market assessments and B2B matching activities;
•  At least 5 years of demonstrated experience linking Kyrgyz private sector to the Finnish private sector. Demonstrated experience must include business contracts above 20k;
•  At least 10 years experience with the Finnish private sector. 
•  Experience with working with the private sector on sustainability issue is considered an asset.

Language skills: 

•  Fluency in English, Finnish and Swedish are required;
•  Russian language skills are considered an asset.

Evaluation of Applicants 

Applicants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposals. The award of the contract should be made to the applicant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: responsive/compliant/acceptable, and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.  

Only candidates who receive min 70% of points in desk review  (Criteria A- G) will be considered for the financial evaluation. 

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points: 

• Criteria A – desk review - experience in market assessments and B2B matching activities – max points: 20
• Criteria B – desk review – experience linking Kyrgyz private sector to the Finnish private sector. Demonstrated experience must include business contracts above 20k – max points: 15
• Criteria C– desk review – experience with the Finnish private sector– max points: 10
• Criteria D – desk review – Experience with working with the private sector on sustainability issue is considered an asset.10
• Criteria E – desk review – Fluency in English, Finnish and Swedish – max. points: 3 (1 point each)
• Criteria F – desk review – Fluency in Russian – max. points: 2
• Criteria G – desk review – methodology – max. points: 10

Application procedures

The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications.

Step 1: Interested candidates must include the following documents when submitting the applications (Please group all your documents into a single PDF attachment as the system only allows one document to be uploaded).

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application 
• Brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work 
• Filled P11 form or CV including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from: http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc)

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and requested to provide a financial offer.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.