Country Adviser (Endogenous Tourism Project)

Job Description

Job Type: Full-time Job Status: Sourcing Location: New Delhi Organization: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Website:

Job Description Background: The Planning Commission has identified tourism as one of the major vehicles for generating employment and promoting sustainable livelihoods in India. Towards this end, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and UNDP are jointly developing alternative models of rural tourism across the country with a view to position such models as engines of economic growth. The GoI-UNDP model of rural tourism draws upon India’s cultural heritage and indigenous tradition. Activities include setting up common facility centres for crafts persons, and village kala kendras (art centres) that showcase the cultural and lived heritage of the identified sites. Wherever appropriate, the project will help in the construction of vishram sthals (or rest houses) based on local skills and construction materials. In order to provide services of international standards, the communities will be trained in different aspects of hospitality such as reception, lodging, cuisine and housekeeping. 32 sites across 20 states and a Spice Circuit in India consisting of 4 sites have been identified.

In most cases, the District Collector is the focal point for the project and therefore, convergence with other Government schemes is a key feature of the project. The project is being implemented by NGOs and, in some cases, panchayats. A panel of architects has been engaged to ensure that the implementation of the project conforms to local idiom and traditions.

The project is being executed by the Ministry of Tourism in partnership with Implementing partners, mainly NGOs and in select cases, panchayats.

The project has received global recognition by winning the World Travel Award 2006 for the “World’s Leading Responsible Tourism Project”. Further details of the project can be seen at .

Duties and Responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of the National Project Director, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the Country Adviser will be responsible for providing strategic advice and for the day-to day management and coordination of project implementation. The incumbent will perform the following tasks:

• Advise the Ministry as and when requested in all aspects of its National Tourism Strategy, particularly with regard to rural tourism.
• Implementation of all aspects of GoI-UNDP project including both the Ministry of Tourism (hardware) and UNDP (software) components of the project;
• Co-ordinate the development of project strategy and action plans and oversee implementation of plans and activities in consultation with the Ministry of Tourism;
• Provide leadership in result-based management of the project and ensure timely execution of the proposed activities as per the approved work plan;
• Contribute to visioning and capacity building of the project partners and teams on different aspects of rural tourism;
• Ensure periodic review and financial disbursement to the project implementing partners (State Nodal Agencies) and undertake budget reviews, revision and facilitate reporting to Ministry of Tourism and UNDP Country Office;
• Facilitate external evaluation of project (mid term and/or terminal) and annual management audits and related follow-up on action;
• Supervise and monitor staff performance and prepare performance evaluation reports for programme staff and consultants;
• Advise the Ministry in identification and recruitment of programme personnel and consultants to be involved in various activities of relevance to the programme as per the organization procedures;
• Develop and implement systems for collation/ collection and regular updation of strategic information and information summaries, briefs, fact sheets, achievement reports, as required to assess progress and impact;
• Facilitate documentation of processes, lessons learnt and results to facilitate demonstrability of results;
• Ensure compliance of rules and procedures of Government and UNDP in the programme implementation;
• Foster strategic partnerships with counterparts in Government at national and state levels, various stakeholders (NGOs, INGOs, academic institutions, national and state level training institutions etc.) and relevant national and state level initiatives;
• Promote project sites at local, national and international levels and design and implement appropriate marketing and communication strategy.
• Knowledge networking in rural tourism in the country among all stakeholders;
• Undertake any other tasks assigned.

Qualifications Education: • Preferably advanced degree in social sciences.

Experience: • More than 15 years of managerial and practitioner experience at national, state and local levels in providing advisory services, hands-on experience in design, management, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, particularly at the grassroots level and particularly in the area of community-driven tourism. • Demonstrated experience in managing staff and coordinating a team. • Experience of working with the government will be an asset.

Knowledge and Skills: • Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources. • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting. • Excellent organizational and managerial skills. • Builds strong relationships with diverse stakeholder. • Ability to communicate with partners in government and other stakeholders. • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

How to Apply Application to this vacancy should be sent to . Please insert Vacancy Announcement Number in the Subject of the E-mail. Applications without the Vacancy Number or with the incorrect Vacancy Number will not be accepted.