TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

Project Name:            Sustainable and Smart Tourism Development in the Mekong Region

Job Title:                    Project Consultant

Contract Category:   Special Service Agreement (SSA)

Project Duration:       24 August 2020 – 30 April 2023

Duty Station:              Mekong Institute,Thailand.

Mekong Institute (MI) is an intergovernmental organization (IGO) founded by the Governments of Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries, namely Cambodia, People’s Republic of China (PRC), Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. MI is located in Thailand and works closely with the six GMS countries to promote regional development, cooperation and integration through capability development programs across three core areas: (i) Agricultural Development and Commercialization (ADC), (ii) Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF), and Innovation and Technological Connectivity (ITC).

Funded by the Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF), Mekong Institute (MI) is implementing a three-year project on “Sustainable and Smart Tourism Development in the Mekong Region”. MI will introduce smart tourism tools, techniques, and technologies through a wide range of activities such as platform/ application development, training, and workshop, roadshow, and exchange program, the twinning of historical/cultural towns between the Republic of Korea and Mekong Countries, investment forum, etc.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

The project objectives are to promote smart and sustainable tourism in the Mekong region and create smart cities, identified as follows;

• In short-term: enhance capacities of tourism-related organizations representing government, the private sector, and academe in the promotion and practice of sustainable tourism.
• In Long-term: wide application by Mekong countries of smart tourism and the “sharing economy” concept to maximize potentials of human capital and enhance innovation and efficient use of endogenous cultural and natural resources.

The specific objectives are to;

• Increase the capacity of local experts, trained skilled staff in hospitality enterprise and public sector officials;
• Deepen cooperation among communities on business, social, and personal level by creating joint tourism niches;
• Promote exchanges and collaborations to preserve/conserve culture and historic sites through partnership agreements for twin city development;
• Stimulate the use of ICT/SMART technology in the tourism sector and adapt to current business models, and;
• To increase the Mekong countries’ capacity in tourism inbound market. 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Improved level of hospitality and quality of services in the tourism sector;
• Enhanced collaboration through twinning of historical/cultural towns between Korea and Mekong Countries;
• Enhanced Tourism services though Smart technologies.

PROJECT COMPONENTS

• Component A: Facilitating Smart Tourism Development in Mekong Countries
• Component B: Korea-Mekong Hospitality Training & Mentoring
• Component C: Twinning of historical/cultural towns Between Korea and Mekong Countries

For implementing the project activities), Mekong Institute (MI) is looking for a Project Consultant with strong project implementation, management, and coordination experience in international development  and capacity development, especially in the Mekong region to support the day to day activities of the project and work closely with the project task team in MI,  and effectively coordinate with Key Ministry, and project stakeholders under the direction of Departmental Director, Trade and Investment Facilitation Department (TIF).

The project will require an effective coordination and result–based implementation approach to achieve the project outcomes and objectives. To this end, the designated tasks and responsibilities of the Project Consultant include but not limited to the following:

• Prepare work plan for the project, and implement the work plan in cooperation with the Project team in TIF Department, and Republic of Korea (ROK) partner (as lead consultant);
• Develop Concept Notes, Curriculum Design Statement (CDS) for studies, workshops, training programs, field visits, and associated events;
• Coordinate with Partner in the ROK, and team to manage resources developed for each activity;
• Liaise with the MI TIF, and ROK partner to increase awareness of the project and implement each activity successfully (serve as a focal point for a number of activities);
• Gather feedback and presenting insights from each activity for MI and Project partner in ROK;
• Develop partnerships and identifying opportunities for continual improvement in the field of tourism in Mekong countries and ROK;
• Establish and maintain excellent working contacts at an operational level with relevant authorities and experts for each activity;
• Draft Terms of References (ToR) and work with local and/or foreign consultants, monitoring progress on deliverables under those contracts and providing feedback as necessary, and coordination of the work of the consultants consistent with the overall project implementation plan;
• Identify implementation arrangements and needed resources to implement the project work and ensure proper management of the project budget in compliance with MI policies and procedures as well as the MKCF;
• Provide technical inputs to the project implementation, e.g. inputs to study, training programs, priority areas, and so on, if required;
• Prepare and/or as appropriate supervise the preparation of project reports (progress, annual, and completion reports), and other reports that may be required by TIF Director;
• Reporting on fund allocation and implemented project’s activities;
• Ensuring MKCF standards, process and regulations are upheld;
• Assist TIF Director in supervising the Project staff in their performance of respective duties, and ensure the efficient functioning and ensure the clear working arrangements are established for collaborating all tasks covering pre-event, during event, and post-event activities for capacity development programs under all project component;s
• Represent the project team to attend the project meetings and events in Khon Kaen and other locations to implement and manage the project work (online or physical);
• Take the main roles and responsibilities to organize the project-specific events, such as training programs, workshops, SLVs, and meetings; and
• Others as assigned by TIF Director.  

The selected candidate will report to the TIF Director. S/he will work closely with the Project team and staff at TIF, Mekong Institute (MI).

The duration of the position is from 24 August 2020 – 30 April 2023 with annual contract arrangement and the position is co-terminus with the project duration. The candidate will be placed initially on probation for three months. On successful completion of the probation period, the services contract will be confirmed for nine months; the possibility of the contract extension is based on the performance of the staff and availability of fund. The termination of the contract may be done by either side by giving 15 days notice.

The salary (remuneration) for this position is 2000 USD/month. This position is not entitled to any other benefits as available to MI regular staff.

The consultant is prohibited to assign or sub-grant any part of the project activities under the agreed assignment without the prior written consent of MI.

All project products, outcomes, and results are MI’s ownership. For this reason, the Consultant is prohibited to use or share the project products for personal purposes without MI’s permission.

MI shall have the right to terminate this SSA in the case that the Consultant is unable to fulfill his/her tasks and responsibilities under the ToR and/or the obligations under the SSA.

The consultant has the right to terminate the SSA with a notice in writing to MI for termination/resignation one month in advance. 

In the case where conflict arises between MI and Consultant, the MI Management shall discuss and resolve the conflict in an amicable manner.

MI shall not be responsible for any liability for any damages, losses, illness, injuries, and/or death, which may occur to or be caused by the Consultant during the assignment.

MI shall not be responsible for the Consultant’s other benefit beyond those as described in the ToR and/or SSA. 

The interested candidate are required to submit an updated CV with a full description of education qualifications, professional experience, and achievements with passport size photo to MI not later than August 10, 2020.

Shotlisted candidates will be required to atatned online interview on speciicf dates. The consultant will be assessed and selected based on the following criteria:

• Postgraduate Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Tourism, or other relevant majors in association with international development and cooperation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the project and program management, coordination, and development, including organizing capacity development training and workshops, study-related design, with at least 8 – 10 years working in the tourism sector.
• Knowledge and experience in the tourism sector should be an asset.
• Knowledge of tourism sector in GMS, ASEAN, and Mekong region.
• Proven experience in working with the national and local government authorities, and private sector stakeholders in tourism sector in one or more countries in the Mekong region.
• Excellent writing skills, experience in report writing in English is essential.

For any queries regarding this position, please contact MI via the following: