International Regional Tourism Development Expert

The project will serve the long-term objective of accelerating the development of sustainable tourism in Azerbaijan’s regional areas for the purpose of stimulating economic growth and improving community welfare, while protecting its unique social, cultural and environmental heritage. The project supports the achievement of the national goals reflected in the Tourism Strategic Roadmap, in particular Strategic Goal 3 that prioritizes developing various types of rural tourism and development of tourism infrastructure, and Strategic Goal 4, related to the establishment of the national tourism quality system. The State Program on the Socio-Economic Development of Regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2019-2023 also emphasises the promotion of rural tourism as one of the priorities for regional development in terms of the rational use of the natural potential of the regions and the improvement of employment opportunities and livelihoods of rural people. 

The project is also fully aligned with the UNDP CPD priorities and directly contributes to the UNAPF/CPD Outcome 1: “By 2020, the Azerbaijan economy is more diversified and generates enhanced sustainable growth and decent work, particularly for youth, women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups”. The project contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 1 No Poverty, SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities.

The project’s strategy was informed by a series of studies and reports that analyse the main challenges hindering the development of regional tourism and propose specific measures for improvement.

The International Regional Tourism Development Expert will be an experienced international expert to assist with the project. He/she will work with Project Officer and report to National Project Coordinator (NPC). During the contract period the working days:

• Conduct desktop research, baseline studies, surveys, and analysis of situation in Azerbaijan’s key tourism regions including of relevant tourism reports, strategies, and plans
• Establish conceptual frameworks for regional tourism public-private-partnership (PPP) structures appropriate for the legal, political, and economic environment of Azerbaijan
• Develop practical and realistic strategic plans for regional tourism in Azerbaijan as well as for regional tourism PPP structures
• Conduct / participate in stakeholder workshops and meetings to gather knowledge and feedback on the development of strategic documents and initiatives required by the Project
• Provide ongoing informed general technical advice and support to Project team to support delivery of other project activities
• Work collaboratively with the Project manager, project team, local consultants, and partners to ensure timely delivery of contributions to outputs
• Provide ongoing reports and feedback to project office as required

Competencies:

• Demonstrate commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

Functional competencies:

• Showing the will to learn and develop professional skills;
• Consistently work with energy and positive, constructive attitude;
• Focus on result for the client and respond positively to feedback;
• To be self-sufficient and conduct himself in the highest professional manner in working relations

Education: 

Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in management, tourism, hospitality, development, or other social sciences;

Experience:

At least 8 years’ work experience in international tourism projects / international development organisations;

At least 2 years of working experience in Azerbaijan will be an asset;

Language:

High competency in written and spoken English

Lump-sum contract:

The contract will be a lump-sum result-based contract. The rates indicated by the consultants in their responses, along with their technical expertise will serve as a basis for the selection. The UNDP also reserves the right to negotiate the total rates with the selected candidates. The total amount will take into account the negotiated rate for the whole consultancy period.  Payment will be done in three instalments and based on completion of deliverables.

• 1st instalment – 10% – deliverable (28 February 2022)
• 2nd instalment – 15% – deliverable (31 May 2022)
• 3rd instalment – 15% – deliverable (31 August 2022)
• 4th instalment – 15% – deliverable (30 November 2022)
• 5th instalment – 15% – deliverable (28 February 2023)
• 6th instalment – 10% – deliverable (31 May 2023)
• 7th instalment – 10% – deliverable (31 August 2023)
• 8th instalment – 10% – deliverable (30 November 2023)

Regional travel is expected, expenses will be covered by project.  One return flight per year from the expert’s home country to Azerbaijan will be provided by the project.

Evaluation method:

Lowest price and technically compliant offer

• At least 8 years’ work experience in international tourism projects (15 points)
• At least 2 years’ experience working in tourism in Azerbaijan is an asset (10 points)
• University degree (Bachelor’s and Master’s) in management, tourism, hospitality, development, or other social sciences (15 points)
• At least 5 years’ experience working with regional or national-level Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) (15 points)
• Demonstrated experience working with national-level tourism boards / agencies (10 points)
• Demonstrated experience developing regional tourism governance models (10 points)
• Excellent experience in development of tourism strategies and plans (10 points)
• Excellent experience in development and implementation of operational / business plans / models for tourism PPP governance entities (5 points)
• Methodology/ Approach to the work (10 points).

“responsive/compliant/acceptable” can be defined as fully meeting the TOR provided.

The minimum passing score is 70 points. 

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Proposal:

(i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work

(ii) Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable)

2. Financial proposal- In the form of Offeror’s letter to UNDP confirming their interest and availability for the individual contractor (IC) assignment. Please see the link below to the form to download.

https://www.az.undp.org/content/dam/azerbaijan/docs/Legal_docs/undp-aze-PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx

3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references

Note: If any of the required documents not provided UNDP reserves the right to disqualify.

Please note that the system accepts only one attachment, so please send your technical and financial offer in one attachment.