Enhanced Integrated Framework - National Implementation Unit (EIF-NIU) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade
Solomon Islands Tourism for Inclusive Development
Terms of Reference: Tier 2 /02/05
Position: National Consultant (Research on Tourism linkages and leakage)
Project Title: ‘ Solomon Islands Tourism for Inclusive Development (SI-TIDE)’
Contract duration: 3 Months
Duty station: Honiara, Solomon Islands and home based
BACKGROUND:
The EIF National Implementation Unit (NIU) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade is implementing EIF programme in Solomon Islands. EIF is a multi-donor programme, which supports LDCs to be more active players in the global trading system by helping them tackle supply-side constraints to trade. A project entitled ‘Solomon Islands Tourism for Inclusive Development (SI-TIDE)’ approved by the EIF Board in January 2014 is currently in implementation. The SI-TIDE project is designed to contribute to achieving the overall goal of SIG’s National Development Strategy (2011-20) – ‘build better lives for all Solomon Islanders through targeted interventions’. To do so, the project will systematically intervene in the areas of policy/legislations related to tourism sector; promote Solomon Islands as a distinct visitor’s destination in the Pacific Region and strengthen the linkages of tourism sector with the auxiliary sectors like agriculture and handicraft in a way that help create additional livelihood opportunities for the people.
The specific objectives however are to strengthen policy environment and it implementation mechanism, promote/market country’s tourism industry through various means in targeted markets, and strengthen linkages of tourism industry with auxiliary industries in a way that help create complementary livelihood opportunities in the associated sectors like agriculture and handicraft. In doing so, the project aims to assist higher economic growth, increased employment and the distribution of the benefits of development by achieving following three Results/Outcomes:
(i) Tourism Policy /Strategy/Action Plans Formulated/updated and capacity building of selected tourism institutions, including capacities of the beneficiary communities.
(ii) Increased number of visitors, which ultimately translate into increased number of employment opportunities in the tourism sector of the country, and
(iii) Strengthened linkages of tourism industry with auxiliary industries (Agriculture, Handicraft, etc), in order to create complementary livelihood opportunities in the associated sectors.
With this implementation, many activities are designed and to be implemented to achieve the project goal/aim. One of the key activities under the project is to conduct a research to determine the current strength of tourism linkage and the level leakages associated with the tourism sector in the country. Therefore, the NIU seeks services of a national consultant in order to accomplish this activity.
SCOPE OF WORK and RESPONSIBILITIES:
This Term of Reference is to conduct a research on the linkage structure and the leakages associated with the tourism sector of Solomon Islands in order to identify where linkages can be strengthened and leakages minimised and make recommendations. This will help make the right policies & identify supply process in the tourism value chain.
The task will be based on extensive research and wider consultations with key industry stakeholders such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, accommodation providers; local farmers and fishermen as well as other Government Ministries, Operators in Honiara, Provincial Headquarters, and/or potential tourism areas for the reasons of gathering / validating the findings and making conclusions and recommendation.
In addition, the review process will also draw on previous (Old) National Tourism Policy and other related activities done by other tourism bodies and auxiliary industry like Agriculture, Fisheries, and Handicraft and other sectors that seems important as per this responsibility.
The national consultant will work under the direct guidance/supervision of the Director, Department of Tourism; He/she shall work closely with the Project Coordinator and EIF NIU Coordinator. The consultant will undertake the following main activities as well as carry out other action deemed necessary to complete and deliver the required outputs:
i. Undertake a wide range of consultation and interview with all National stakeholders, including but not limit to the National Government Ministries and private sectors (including hotels, resorts, and lodges) members of the Tourism industry, local food suppliers, handicraft vendors, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and handicraft.
ii. Supplement the above consultation with additional desk and internet based research in establishing a rigid understanding of the current state of affairs of the tourism industry of the country in terms of its strength, weakness, opportunities and threats that are relevant to the implementation of this project.
iii. A research report on the findings and recommendations to be submitted to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism through SI-TIDE.
iv. Perform other related tasks as assigned by the Director of Tourism, NIU Coordinator and the SI-TIDE Project Coordinator.
EXPECTED OUTPUTS:
1. Completion and Submission of the tourism linkages findings (Report) including the recommendations and an action plan to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
At least Bachelor’s Degree (Preferably Postgraduate/Masters) in Tourism, Economics, Marketing, Management or social science related fields.
At least five (5) Years work Experience in field researches and/or consultant.
Good Interpersonal Skills and Result Oriented.
Good Computer Skills (Microsoft Office, Data base management etc.).
Work Experience in any Tourism Major Projects or socioeconomic survey related projects would be an advantage.
Knowledge of International Trade desirable and
Knowledge of the Current Economic and Political Status of Solomon Islands
Languages:
- Excellent Command over English both Written and Spoken
- Excellent Command over Solomon Islands Pidgin Language
Engagement period:
Three months with inter provincial travel
Payment arrangement
Contract payments will be done in three phases as follows;
- Twenty five percent (25%) of the contract payment after submission of inception report which will include the approach, methodology and the timeframe of consultants proposed work and its acceptance by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism;
- Twenty five percent (25%) of the contract payment after the consultations done and submission and its acceptance by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the draft report; and
- Final payment of fifty percent (50%) upon satisfactory completion of the task and submission of final Tourism linkages report document submission to the project and acceptance of the report/documents by the Department of Tourism/NIU