Antecedentes

Purpose

The primary purpose of the consultancy is development and presentation of communication content on the Via Dinarica web platform. This position requires a combination of technical knowledge and skills in written and graphic communication, which will ensure continuous and consistent quality information flow towards the clients and customers.

Objective

The objective of the assignment is the provision of technical assistance, strategic guidance and quality assurance in administration of content provided through web portal viadinarica.com, which is the main information source on the Via Dinarica outdoor activities, services, points of interest and the tool for promotion of the Via Dinarica. Concretely, the Consultant is expected to review the content prepared and provided on the portal, and ensure that it is accurate, relevant, quality and adequately distributed through the web platform network and social media channels during the contract period.

Background Information

Tourism has become an important factor of the economic growth in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in the wider Western Balkan region. The question is no longer whether tourism is relevant to development, but how it can be best utilized for development benefits. However, many local governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina do not have adequate local funds and capacities neither to design and implement productive measures or to effectively link nature-based tourism with development.
The Via Dinarica: A Platform for Sustainable Tourism Development and Local Economic Growth Project, supported by the USAID and UNDP, is a successor of the Walking the Via Dinarica Project implemented during the period August 2013 - April 2014. The Walking the Via Dinarica Project can be considered as a pilot phase for a 3-year comprehensive project aimed at rural development through utilization of nature based tourism potentials in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The heart of this project is the Via Dinarica Trail which stretches over 1400 km along the mountain range of the Dinaric Alps in Southeast Europe through Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Slovenia, and Serbia. Geographically, Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in the centre of the Via Dinarica mega trail and offers extraordinary beauty and value both in terms of natural and cultural heritage, as well as substantial potential for tourism development and community livelihoods.
The project aim is to further forge the process of establishing the Via Dinarica corridor as a community-owned and operated tourism product that provides sustainable livelihoods for a broad range of stakeholders. This will be achieved by realizing four specific objectives, as follows:

  • To assess and chart all Via Dinarica Trails (White, Blue and Green Trails) in BiH;
  • To improve tourism infrastructure and strengthen capacities of tourism service providers along the Via Dinarica White and Green Trails;
  • To promote, market, and strengthen the identity of the Via Dinarica in BiH within the country and internationally;
  • To facilitate establishment of partnership networks and cooperation among relevant stakeholders along the Via Dinarica Trails in BiH, and with higher government authorities.

The project is being implemented during the period 2014 – 2017, in close partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Trade and Tourism of the Republika Srpska, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Deberes y responsabilidades

In order to contribute to the successful implementation of the project goals, the Consultant will ensure that content of the Via Dinarica web platform is accurate, relevant, quality and adequately distributed, improve user experience, and provide training for approved content contributors using the Content Management System (CMS) for the Via Dinarica web portal.

Task 1: Review published and prepared content for the viadinarica.com web platform, in terms of fact checking, relevance, control of content quality and content ranking within the web platform service provider’s system

In close coordination with the UNDP project team, as well as with the civil society organisation implementing a grant funded by the project, the Consultant is expected to:

  • Review already published content (hereby points of interest, accommodation providers, mountain huts, tours and offers) related and relevant to Via Dinarica trails with particular focus on Via Dinarica project beneficiaries, including textual descriptions, photographs, GPS and map data, as well as figures and graphs;
  • Fact-check all information provided;
  • Ensure that published content is relevant, not duplicated and provided according to the guideline of the web platform;
  • Ensure quality of provided content, including quality of photographs, GPS data, and completeness of individual descriptions (content pages);
  • Edit, update and/or adjust provided content in order to achieve better ranking within the web platform service provider’s system;

Activities under Task 1 will be delivered during the period 01 September – 31 October 2017, while the expected level of effort will not exceed 25 expert days. The consultant should process at least 200 records (individual descriptions, one-two pages per record), with the minimal web platform service provider’s rank of 70.

Task 2: Develop instructions and guidelines for usage of the web portal viadinarica.com to facilitate access to the provided information for the approved contributors

In close coordination with the UNDP project team and the civil society organisation implementing a grant funded by the project, the Consultant is expected to:

  • Review users’ feedback and improve FAQ section of the viadinarica.com web portal;
  • Develop simple and clear guidelines on web portal structure in a form of a document and/or infographic for approved contributors’ utilization;
  • Provide access (link) to the guidelines page at the adequate places across the content to assist users in successful browsing of the content;

Activity under Task 2 will be delivered during the period 01 October – 31 December 2017, while the expected level of effort will not exceed 10 expert days.

Task 3: Provide Content Management System (CMS) training for the Via Dinarica project partners, beneficiaries and consultants

In close coordination with the UNDP project team and the civil society organisation implementing a grant funded by the project, the Consultant is expected to:

  • Design a two-day training programme for content contributors on the web platform service provider’s CMS, including usage of all available tools/modules and content administration;
  • Conduct training for registered participants, appointed by CSOs (trail maintenance volunteers, event organizers), tourism organizations, national parks and other protected areas administrators, as well as contracted content contributors and editors.

Activity under Task 3 will be delivered during the period of the 01 September – 31 October 2017, while the expected level of effort will not exceed 5 expert days.

Task 4: Improve functionality and user experience on viadinarica.com web portal

In close coordination with the UNDP project team, civil society organisation implementing a grant funded by the project, and outsourced service providers, the Consultant is expected to:

  • Review functionality and user experience of viadinarica.com web site by testing and experimenting, but also by conducting surveys and interviewing general web site users
  • Communicate and coordinate minor, but efficient, redesigning or layout changes of the web pages, with responsible web masters/administrators for the viadinarica.com and project managers from the web platform service provider;
  • Edit and adjust content, including content interlinking, in order to reduce information browsing time and to improve user experience;

Activities under Task 4 will be delivered during the period 01 September – 31 December 2017, while the expected level of effort will not exceed 10 expert days.

Task 5: Publish stories and blogs on the Via Dinarica and distribute them throughout the service provider web platform’ network

In close coordination with the UNDP project team, the civil society organisation implementing a grant funded by the project and the UNDP PR Specialist, the Consultant is expected to:

  • Prepare stories and blogs produced for the purpose of the promotion of the Via Dinarica, but also other relevant stories as well, by transferring text and multimedia material to Story module of the service provider’s web platform, and link them to other relevant content;
  • Coordinate publishing of the stories with the web platform service provider’s editorial department;
  • Promote published stories through the Via Dinarica social media channels;
  • Continually and consistently promote the Via Dinarica project beneficiaries;

Activities under Task 5 will be delivered during the period 01 October – 31 December 2017, while the expected level of effort will not exceed 10 expert days. The consultant should process at least 20 stories or blogs.

Deliverables and timelines

The Consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

Task 1: Review published and prepared content for the viadinarica.com web platform, in terms of fact checking, relevance, control of content quality and content ranking within the web platform service provider’s system

  • Review already published content (hereby points of interest, accommodation providers, mountain huts, tours and offers) related and relevant to Via Dinarica trails with particular focus on Via Dinarica project beneficiaries, including textual descriptions, photographs, GPS and map data, as well as figures and graphs; End of September 2017;
  • Fact-check all information provided; End of September 2017;
  • Ensure that published content is relevant, not duplicated and provided according the guideline of the web platform; End of September 2017;
  • Ensure quality of provided content, including quality of photographs, GPS data, and completeness of individual descriptions (content pages); End of September 2017;
  • Edit, update and/or adjust provided content in order to achieve better ranking within the web platform service provider’s system; End of October 2017;

Task 2: Develop instructions and guidelines for usage of the web portal viadinarica.com to facilitate access to the provided information for the approved contributors

  • Review users’ feedback and improve FAQ section of the viadinarica.com web portal; End of October 2017;
  • Develop simple and clear guidelines on web portal structure in a form of a document and/or infographic for approved contributors’ utilization; End of November 2017;
  • Edit and adjust content, including content interlinking, in order to reduce information browsing time and to improve user experience; End of December 2017;

Task 3: Provide Content Management System (CMS) training for the Via Dinarica project partners, beneficiaries and consultants

  • Design a two-day training programme for content contributors on the web platform service provider’s CMS, including usage of all available tools/modules and content administration; End of September 2017;
  • Conduct training for registered participants, appointed by CSOs (trail maintenance volunteers, event organizers), tourism organizations, national parks and other protected areas administrators, as well as contracted content contributors and editors.  End of October 2017;

Task 4: Improve functionality and user experience on viadinarica.com web portal

  • Review functionality and user experience of viadinarica.com web site by testing and experimenting, but also by conducting surveys and interviewing general web site users  End of September 2017;
  • Communicate and coordinate minor, but efficient, redesigning or layout changes of the web pages, with responsible web masters/administrators for the viadinarica.com and project managers from the web platform service provider;  End of October 2017;
  • Edit and adjust content, including content interlinking, in order to reduce information browsing time and to improve user experience; End of December 2017;

Task 5: Publish stories and blogs on the Via Dinarica and distribute them throughout the service provider web platform’ network

  • Prepare stories and blogs produced for the purpose of the promotion of the Via Dinarica, but also other relevant stories as well, by transferring text and multimedia material to Story module of the service provider’s web platform, and link them to other relevant content; End of October 2017;
  • Coordinate publishing of the stories with the web platform service provider’s editorial department; End of October 2017;
  • Promote published stories through the Via Dinarica social media channels; End of November 2017;
  • Continually and consistently promote the Via Dinarica project beneficiaries;  End of December 2017;

Competencias

Core values:

  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Core competencies:

  • Demonstrates professional competence to meet responsibilities and post requirements and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Results-Orientation: Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals, generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
  • Communication: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different audiences;
  • Team work: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team;
  • Client orientation: Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with national partners and stakeholders and pro-activeness in identifying of beneficiaries and partners’ needs, and matching them to appropriate solutions.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

  • University degree in social studies;

Experience:

  • Ability to conceptualise and write concisely and clearly;
  • Proven communication skills, and ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors;
  • Proven knowledge of and practical experience in administration of the web platform software tools (cartography, accommodation facilities, points of interest, storytelling, special products/offers, and similar);
  • At least 5 years of relevant and proven professional experience with outdoor sports and adventure tourism. Previous experience in tourism development projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be considered an asset;
  • Proven previous experience in preparing and publishing informative content in area of the outdoor sports and activities will be considered an asset;
  • Familiarity and understanding of tourism potentials of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider Balkans region;
  • Sound track record of services or assistance provided to relevant projects implemented by USAID, UNDP or other representatives of the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
  • Knowledge of and experience with Via Dinarica concept will be considered an asset.

Language requirements: 

  • Fluency in English language is required;
  • Knowledge of the official languages of the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina is required.

Other:

  • Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications, the web platform CMS, GPS data management software) and ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource;
  • Good skills in digital photo editing;
  • Knowledge of ArcGIS or QGIS software will be considered an asset.
     

EVALUATION

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis
When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

  • * Technical Criteria weight-70%
  • * Financial Criteria weight- 30%

Applicants are required to submit an application including:

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

  • For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 62 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
  • Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points for technical criteria assessment would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical criteria: 70% 

  • At least 5 years of relevant and proven professional experience with outdoor sports and adventure tourism. Previous experience in tourism development projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be considered an asset;  Maximum points: 20;
  • Proven knowledge of and practical experience in administration of the web platform software tools (cartography, accommodation facilities, points of interest, storytelling, special products/offers, and similar);  Maximum points: 30;
  • Proven previous experience in preparing and publishing informative content in area of the outdoor sports and activities will be considered an asset;  Maximum points: 20;

Financial criteria: Weight:30%, Maximum points: 30