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 to 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 sites: the Great Sea Reef and around Kaibu Island in the Lau Group. The two sites are in areas that are remote, vulnerable to tropical cyclones and have healthy coral reefs with high biodiversity, which are essential both to traditional communities and tourism stakeholders. 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 lead PSDI work on sustainable tourism for the two candidate sites, with emphasis on post-COVID destination development planning and revenue diversification. The consultant will work closely with a Community Conservation Support Specialist located at each site, and support PSDI coordination with ADB, GEF and ACliFF.
Scope of Work
This assignment will lead PSDIs work on sustainable tourism at two key sites: the Great Sea Reef and around Kaibu Island in the Lau Group. As well as leading PSDI coordination with ADB, GEF and ACliFF, the assignment will involve assessing marine conservation efforts in selected sites, developing sustainable destination plans and leading advocacy, capacity development and training on sustainable tourism.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
Deliverables and Time Schedule:
1. Action plan detailing proposed approach and timeline
2. Assessment of existing marine conservation efforts in the two selected sites
3. Sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism plans for both sites
4. 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 Pacific tourism sector, particularly Fiji;
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. Citizen and/or permanent resident of Fiji, currently residing in-country
7. Experience in marine conservation, particularly coral reef restoration and insurance.
Minimum General Experience
15 Years Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment)
10 Years Regional/Country Experience Required
Project Officer Mary Kim
Designation Senior Programs Officer
Asian Development Bank
Email mkim@adb.org
Deadline of Submitting EOI: 09-Aug-2022 11:59 PM Manila local time
