CONSULTANT SOLICITATION-(ACEA) PROJECT عودة إلى الفرص

CONSULTANT SOLICITATION Ecotourism and related services capacity building consulting firm COLLABORATIVE ACTION FOR THE EXPORT OF HANDICRAFT PRODUCTS (ACEA) PROJECT

Period of Performance: February 30 ,2023 – May 30, 2023 

Expected Level of Effort: 60 days 

Place of Performance: Tunis, Tunisia, with field trips to 10 governorates (Beja, Jendouba, Siliana, Sidi Bouzid, Kairouane, Kef  

Kasserine, Gafsa, Gabes ) 

1. Program Background 

ACEA Tunisia (Action Collaborative pour les Exportations Artisanales, or “Collaborative Action for the Export  of Handicraft Products”) is a 6-year project funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by  FHI 360. Its goal is to help artisans, especially those who are socially or geographically marginalized, to  commercialize their products, and hence promote greater social and economic equity. Where possible, the  project places a special emphasis on assisting artisans to export. 

This project is helping to empower artisans and local communities by guiding and advising them using a  cluster approach. Members of the Cluster (beneficiaries) meet in workshops and work in groups to learn and  share various skills, in conjunction with relevant support entities and technical experts. To date, ACEA has  launched cluster development activities in five sectors in Tunisia: essential oils and related natural products  (West governorates), olive wood kitchenware and tableware (in Sfax and Sidi Bou Zid), carpets (Gafsa and  Gabes) and pottery (Siliana).  

ACEA is seeking a consulting firm or individual consultant to assist project’s beneficiaries to enhance their  capacities in providing ecotourism and related services. The main objective of this consultancy is to indi cates ways for handicraft artisans and actors on how to become better integrated in the tourism value  chain to increase their income, and to provide them with the know-how to develop sustainable business  linkages between handicraft tourism markets. Actors should be introduced to the tourism sector, and how  it can contribute to local economic development. They will be provided an overview of the potential in volvement of local people and ways to expand the tourism supply chains, while recognizing socially and en vironmentally sustainable practices. 

Linkages between Agriculture, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism:  

Environmental Management, Handicrafts and Tourism 

2. Objective of Consultancy 

The Consultant will develop and implement a capacity-building plan for project beneficiaries focused on  delivering ecotourism and additional related services (catering, selling local products, networking with  potential partners) based on an initial assessment conducted by the project. The consultant will accompany 

the ACEA team in implementing an individualized capacity building plan for each handicraft structure (SME, Cooperatives …) 

The Consultant should clearly define specific needs for capacity building activities for each structure. Below a non-exhaustive list of modules that should be covered during the training:  

– Linkages between cultural heritage, handicrafts, and tourism 

– Environmental management tools 

– Possible interventions and partnerships between Agro products and the tourism industry – Tourist Hospitality Management 

This technical assistance may include formal or on-the-job training and coaching or demand-driven advisory  services (e.g. marketing, financial analysis, development of procedures……). 

1. Detailed Tasks and Deliverables 

Under the supervision of the Technical Monitor, the Consultant will carry out the following tasks: 

Needs Assessment: The consultant will perform an on-site assessment, and develop a detailed plan, in  conjunction with ACEA and ONAT counterparts, for a capacity building plan. 

Develop a capacity-building plan for each cooperative: The consultant will design a roadmap/development  plan with each structure, with realistic intermediate objectives to be achieved:  

– Short/medium-term objectives and priorities, 

– The specific activities and key success factors to achieve it 

– The different kind of actors to be involved in each kind of activity, such as training, technical assis tance, financing and other forms of support.  

– Organizational strengthening: 

Provision of technical assistance for capacity-building support: The consultant will conduct trainings and  technical assistance for all the structures. 

Follow-up on the field: The consultant will conduct follow-up missions after the trainings. 

DELIVERABLES 

The Consultant shall be responsible for preparing and submitting the deliverables to the Technical Monitor  according to the following schedule. ACEA will work with the Consultant to finalize format and structure for  key deliverables during the consultancy, and the Technical Monitor and other relevant staff will review the  consultant’s proposed drafts and provide feedback accordingly.

3. Required Skills and Qualifications 

• Postgraduate degree in management, economy, local development, tourism or any relevant field.
•  A minimum of five years demonstrated experience working in the field of capacity building. 
•  Demonstrated knowledge and experience of the ecotourism sector of Tunisia is desirable. 
•  Strong analytical skills and written and oral communication skills. 
• Knowledge of Arabic and French required; English highly desirable. 

CRITERIA/QUALIFICATION FOR EVALUATION 

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked by an evaluation committee according to the conditions described  in the evaluation criteria below, with a total overall maximum point value of 100. Candidates will first be  evaluated and scored from a technical standpoint. Candidates that are considered to be technically qualified  shall then be evaluated in terms of cost reasonableness of their daily rate. The contract shall be issued to the  consultant with the highest combined technical and cost score. 

4. Level of Effort and Remuneration 

The Consultancy will consist of a maximum of 60 working/billing days (1 day = 8 hours)  

The Consultant will be paid the agreed daily fee rate for every day worked, up to but not to exceed 60 days, with reimbursement for related, budgeted expenses (e.g., travel and lodging on field trips outside of Tunis).  The consultant will submit a record of LOE on a monthly basis for processing and payment. 

5. Location 

This work will require several meetings in Tunis and field trips to ±10 governorates to conduct interviews with  stakeholders and implement training sessions. Thus, Consultancy firm and their team must show up the fully  vaccination certificate. 

FHI 360 will require an Expense Authorization form to be submitted and approved prior to travel and will  reimburse allowable travel expenses.