Job Description
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
- 1. The Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) is a regional technical assistance facility co-financed by the Government of Australia, the Government of New Zealand and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Since 2006, PSDI has been working with ADB’s Pacific Developing Member Countries (PDMCs) to improve the enabling environment for business and support inclusive, private sector-led economic growth.
- 2. From 2020, PSDI has supported the development of sustainable, private sector-led and inclusive tourism growth in PDMCs. Under PSDI Phase IV, the tourism workplan focuses on four key areas: (i) evidence-based tourism planning, (ii) enabling private sector-led tourism, (iii) financing sustainable tourism, and (iv) crisis management. PSDIs tourism workplan actively supports Pacific tourism industries to recover from the impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This includes work towards improving access to tourism finance and ensuring recovery funds support a more sustainable model of tourism.
- 3. The Fiji economy is facing the double, interlinked challenge of COVID-19 and climate change. Fiji is a tourism-dependent economy where tourism is inextricably linked to healthy marine ecosystems that are an important part of the offering for international visitors. These natural assets are highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, especially to storms with greater intensity and frequency, in addition to the effects of slow-onset events linked to increasing sea surface temperatures and sea level rise.
- 4. In Fiji, PSDI is working closely with ADB, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Asia-Pacific Climate Finance Fund (ACliFF) to promote coral reef resilience and develop financial and insurance products as part of efforts to rebuild Fiji’s tourism sector and economy following COVID-19. Work will initially focus on two key sites: the Great Sea Reef and around Kaibu Island in the Lau Group. Tourism operators at these sites have created charitable trusts (the Nukubati Foundation and the Vatuvara Foundation, linked to private sector resorts), to focus on marine conservation efforts.
- 5. The purpose of this assignment is to support PSDI work on sustainable tourism in the Great Sea Reef, working closely with the Nukubati Foundation.
Scope of Work
This assignment will support implementation of PSDI work to promote coral reef resilience and develop financial and insurance products for the Great Sea Reef. The specialist will be required to act as a liaison between private sector, donors and relevant government and non-Government organizations around the Great Sea Reef and across Fiji as relevant. The work will entail stakeholder coordination, meeting and workshop organization, data collection and contribution to project technical reports, destination development plans and knowledge products.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
The Specialist will undertake the following tasks:
- • Lead coordination with key stakeholders around the Great Sea Reef to facilitate implementation of PSDIs proposed work on ustainable tourism and coral reef resilience
- Act as liaison between Nukubati resort, private foundations, the PSDI, GEF and ACliFF supported teams, and relevant Government, non-Government and civil society organizations active around the Great Sea Reef and across Fiji as relevant
- Organize meetings, workshops and seminars as required
- Assist in data collection and curation
- Contribute to project technical reports, destination development plans and knowledge products as needed.
Deliverables and Time Schedule:
- 1. Action plan detailing proposed approach and timeline
- 2. Mid assignment report
- 3. Final assignment report to Tourism Team Leader
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Required:
- 1. Bachelor level education in tourism, environmental management, marine science, or related field; or equivalent work experience or industry accreditation
- 2. Experience in and familiarity with the Fijian tourism sector, particularly around the Great Sea Reef;
- 3. Experience working with remote communities and private sector operators in the Pacific;
- 4. Strong research and writing skills, with demonstrated ability to prepare rigorous papers, potentially suitable for publication;
- 5. Strong communication and presentation skills, including capability to seek out the most relevant thought leaders, synthesize information on both a country and a regional basis, draw conclusions and make actionable recommendations.
Preferred:
- 6. Current citizen or permanent resident of Fiji, preferably located near the Great Sea Reef or willing to relocate
- 7. Experience in marine conservation, particularly coral reef restoration and insurance.
Minimum General Experience 15 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment) 10 Years
Project Officer Mary Kim
Designation Senior Programs Officer
Asian Development Bank
Email mkim@adb.org
