International Consultant for preparation of Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment & Adaptation Plan for the Tourism Sector

UNDP and the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP) are implementing the project “Third National Communication to UNFCCC”. The main aim of the project is to strengthen the information base, analytical and institutional capacity of the key national institutions to integrate climate change priorities into country development strategies and relevant sector programs by providing financial and technical support to prepare its Third National Communication (TNC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Vulnerability of sector tourism to climate change was very briefly analyzed in the Second National Communication. No other related national document/strategies take climate change into consideration or directly correlate the impact of the climate change on the development of the tourism sector in the country.  With its lakes and mountains, many religious objects and archaeological sites, the country  has a strong tourism potential. Mountain and lakeside tourism are the most attractive and most of the revenue-raising in the country. On the other hand, these destinations are considered particularly vulnerable to climate change, as they are nature-based tourism destinations and all outdoor tourism activities are dependent on favorable climate conditions.

As per the latest economic impact research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) for the country, the total contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP was 4.9% of GDP in 2012, and is forecasted to rise by 4.3% per annuum (pa) in 2023. In 2012 Travel & Tourism directly supported 8,000 jobs (1.2% of total employment). This is expected to rise by 0.8% pa to 9,000 jobs (1.3% of total employment) in 2023. Current climate models predict that the country will experience increasing temperatures and decrease of rainfalls. Such changes will impact on key regional tourism drivers such as destination attractiveness, product content, business profitability, infrastructure planning and investment. Changes will manifest locally and will uniquely affect individual tourist destinations, communities and businesses. An ability to respond is therefore vital, especially when taking into consideration forecasts from the WTTC.

In the Third National Communication vulnerability of this sector to climate change will be assessed in depth with an aim to develop a plan for adaptation of this sector to climate change. Therefore, UNDP would like to engage an experienced International Consultant to assess the climate change effect  in the tourism sector in the country and to prepare the Vulnerability and Adaptation section of the TNC for the tourism sector.

The main objective of the assignment is to contribute to the preparation of the Third National Communication to the UNFCCC, with particular focus on the issues related to the tourism sector.

 The consultant shall work in close cooperation with the relevant national institutions.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the consultant shall be responsible for carrying out the following tasks:

• Get acquainted with the existing national strategies and laws (app.3 documents) related to tourism in the country as well as with the climate scenarios for the country  developed within the project;
• Review international methodologies and tools for assessment of the impact of climate change on the tourism and identify the most suitable methodology/tools for the country;
• Using selected methodology/tools, carry out climate change vulnerability assessment and determine the most vulnerable sites/areas to climate change in the country;
• Recommend the best approach and steps for specific adaptation measures for the tourism sector, and specifically for the select most vulnerable sites/areas;
• Present findings and recommendations from the assessment on a workshop in Skopje.

Duration of Assignment

The assignment is estimate to be completed in max. 23 days in period Sep-Nov 2013.
 
Travel

Two field missions (3 days each) to Skopje, are expected.

• The first one – fact finding mission, should be after contract signing (First half of September 2013);
• Second mission –presentation of findings on workshop November 2013).

Deliverables

• Overview  of available methodologies and tools for assessment of climate change on the tourism sector and justification for selection of the most suitable methodology/tools for the country (September 2013);
• Draft vulnerability assessment and adaptation report (31 October 2013);
• Final Report that will elaborate the key findings, recommendations and steps to be undertaken for minimizing climate change impact on tourism sector, including an Action Plan (10 Nov 2013);
• Section relevant for tourism in the Third National Communication (1-2 pages) (15 Nov 2013).

Payment Schedule

The payment will be done in installments based on the milestones around specific and measurable deliverables:

• 20% upon submission and approval of the report “Overview  of available methodologies and tools for assessment of climate change on the tourism sector” and elaboration of the most suitable methodology/tools for the country (Oct 2013);
• 40% upon submission and approval of the draft vulnerability assessment and adaptation report (Nov 2013);
• 40% upon submission and approval of the Section relevant for tourism in the Third National Communication and Final Report that will elaborate the key findings, recommendations and steps to be undertaken for minimizing climate change impact on tourism sector, including an Action Plan (Nov 2013).

Functional Competencies:

• Good presentation and communication skills, sense of initiative;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills. All documents shall be prepared in the English language.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Education:

• University degree in the thematic areas relevant to the assignment (e.g. Tourism, technical or environmental sciences);
• Higher degree is a strong asset.

Experience:

• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in the area relevant to tourism in relation with climate change (particularly vulnerability assessments and research)
• At least 2 (two) similar assignments in nature and scope (research and/or studies taking into consideration climate change in relation with tourism);
• Excellent knowledge of tourism/climate change issues on country/regional/global level shall be considered as asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluent in spoken and written English. 

Application Procedures:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit their offer to UNDP Human Resources department. The application should contain:

• CV/P11 which can be found at www.undp.org.mk;
• Reference list of similar assignments in nature and scope (research and/or studies taking into consideration climate change in relation with tourism) with contact details for reference check;
• Financial Proposal - specifying a total lump sum amount in USD for completion of the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial offer shall include a breakdown of the lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, consultancy fee, travel expenses to Skopje, per diems and any other possible costs). 

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, travel, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services);
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested documents.

Evaluation of Offers:

Best value for money principle takes into account a combination of the applicants’ qualification and financial proposal (70% technical and 30% financial offer). When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical 70%:

• Education: University degree in the thematic areas relevant to the assignment (e.g. Tourism, technical or environmental sciences); Higher degree is a strong asset 10%;
• Years of professional experience: Minimum 4 years of professional experience in the area relevant to tourism and climate change (particularly vulnerability assessments and research) 20%;
• Relevant project experience: At least 2 (two) similar assignments in nature and scope (research and/or studies taking into consideration climate change in relation with tourism) 20%;
• Excellent knowledge of tourism/climate change issues on country/regional/global level 20%.

Financial 30%.