Consultancy: Explore and design pro-poor interventions in tourism sector in earthquake affecte

Terms of Reference of 

Explore and design pro-poor interventions in tourism sector in earthquake affected districts and Facilitating forward and backward linkages, a role for Oxfam 

Background:

The devastating earthquake of April 25 and subsequent aftershocks have caused damage worth Rs 513.38 billion to physical infrastructure and assets, and inflicted income loss of another Rs 187.08 billion, indicating billions of rupees will have to be spent in the coming years to regain lost opportunities, restore physical assets and improve livelihoods in tourism sector in Nepal. Oxfam had conducted an assessment in tourism sector in 4 districts ( Gorkha, Nuwakot, Dhading & Sindhupalckowk) in April 2016 from where districts specific loss and damage & potential interventions were identified. With a view to design the VDC level interventions, particular VDC level needs, loss & damage and designing are required that will be implemented by Partner Organization of Oxfam. Hence; Oxfam is planning to hire consultancy from experts/ organizations on VDC level tourism project designing in 5 working districts.

But in case of Kathmandu valley; a need assessment is required along with interventions designing for next two years. Aftermath of earthquake, the rural/peripheral communities suffered major economic loss from a steep fall in tourists, both domestic and international. Tourism resources were damaged or destroyed, including cultural heritage sites, hospitality properties and shops. With loan access being complicated for many people in peripheral and rural areas (mainly due to their limited collateral and repayment options), revival of local economies has been almost at a halt since the disastrous event.

A rise in tourism numbers has already been observed this year and this offers a unique opportunity for peripheral and rural areas of the country to revive the local economy of Nepal. As learned in the recent Oxfam assessment immediate benefits can be derived from: getting the tourists back into the destinations through targeted marketing, re-creating and strengthening backward linkages to the agriculture sector and cottage industry, achieving more sustainability in the tourism sector, rebuilding and strengthening SMEs, and identifying specific tourism-related micro projects.

The government of Nepal has declared 2016 / 2072 as "Ghumfirbarsa" as domestic tourist year. Being the top destination for domestic visitors, this campaign offers the opportunity to rise from its ashes and kick-start local economies. 

Objectives of the scoping study:

1.Situational Analysis at Sankarapur Municipality :

To assess the needs and gap in Sankarapur Municipality  in Kathmandu Valley for re-establment of tourism (e.g. tourism attractions, including traditional villages and monuments; trail repair, tourism accommodation/home stay & employment generation) and the linkages to the wider tourism industry.

2.Designing of pro-poor tourism interventions:

Explore & designing of pro-poor tourism interventions ( with particular focus on womens engagement in this sector; gender analysis in this sector to find out avenue for them for capacity building, employment generation, business development, policy awareness under tourism, supply chain participation and other relevant interventions.) at VDCs level in Gorkha, Dhading, Nuwakot, kathmadu valley and Sindhupalchowk at the particular VDCs for 2017 & 2018. The build back better approach would be a considering facter in designing the local tourism projects. 

3.Marketing Strategies

To identify market linkages of tourism related products and local products and propose marketing strategies that will target domestic and international markets.

4.Local Action Planning

To develop tourism-related project proposals – including capacity development plans - for Oxfam and its partners. These will be based on local-level action plans that will be developed in collaboration with the local communities, partners, govt. & other stakeholders at the destinations.

Methodology :

The Methodology will follow the identified deliverables of the Terms of Reference, and involves four phases:

I.  The Inception Phase

• Consultation meeting with local authorities and stakeholders at municipality/districts/VDCs to identify the appropriate locations, interventions and support mechanism. 
• Review ongoing recovery work of public, private and civic sectors in the prioritized communities (document  and data review). 
• Visit private sectors and business membership organizations to understand the impact of the damage in 5 earthquake affected districts about their businesses, employment and needs for strengthening local tourism industry.
• Adapt the earlier GHTNA/Oxfam assessment and scoping framework.
• Initial report on reviewed documents, review of work of others, and scoping framework.

II. Field Level Assessment Phase

• Assessment of tourism-related build back better opportunities:

o Secondary data collection at district/municipality/VDCs level (damage reports of number of tourist facilities; employment & businesses).

o Interviews with local governments, NGOs, local tourism companies (accommodations, tour operators, etc.) and entrepreneurs.

o Estimations of value of damage of local tourism related enterprises and other eliments. 

• Socio-economic analysis:

o Secondary data collection at study area (tourism attractions; numbers of tourists visiting before and after; expenditure of tourists on what; number of people involved in tourism direct, indirect, dynamic; before and after, etc.)

o Interviews with local entrepreneurs, Chambers of Commerce, etc. on business lost and what has been done to attempt reviving businesses.

o Estimations of business lost.

III. Long-Term Strategy Development Phase

• Summarizing assessments of the study area
• Develop initial strategic plans based on all work done
• Destination-based workshops to:

o Validate the scoping plans and discuss strategic planning ideas

o Agree on initial Local Action Plan for each destination community, which can be utilized as proposal to obtain implementation support from donor agencies

IV. Report Preparation and Finalization

The report:

• Describes and analyses the tourism sector before and after the earthquake in the identified municipalities & VDCs and suggests potential interventions for the rehabilitation of the tourism sector year wise including specific budget requirement.
• Identifies mid-term and long-term socio-economic economic and sustainable livelihood tourism opportunities (Local Action Plans).
• Identify relevant capacity strengthening needs among tourism stakeholder groups (paying specific attention to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups). 

Deliverables:

• The scoping exercise will result in a concrete set of support measures providing: 

(i)An assessment of rehabilitation/recovery needs in the affected tourism sector in the specific locations of Sankhu Municipality ;

(ii)Interventions designing for all 5 districts particularly at VDCs level considering the socio-economic impact of the earthquake.

• A summery of VDC based tourism projects along with specific budget for each destination.
• GIS mapping of possible interventions at VDCs level.
• The study will identify key local stakeholders and potential beneficiaries of possible interventions.
• One workshop with Team Leaders, Project Coordinators ( Partners) and other stakeholders for finalization of interventions.
• Final report with concrete actions plans of interventions, capacity building plan for partners, anticipated resources required and implementation modalities (role of implementation partner, Govt, technical partner & business platform). 

Note: (List of VDCs: Helambu and Tatopani VDCs in Sindhupalchowk,Betini and Gaukharka VDCs in Nuwakot, Sertung and Tipling VDCs in Dhading, Chhekampar and Keruja VDCs in Gorkha & Sankarapur Municipality VDCs in Kathmandu valley). 

Timeframe:

The assignment will be implemented over an estimated 36 days between December 2016 and February 2017 in different phases:

Inception                          Document review, assessment of ongoing projects of Kathmandu Valley, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha & Sindhupalchok, and development of scoping framework for the VDC level interventions (3 days)

Field level research                Assessment of the needs and demands of the tourism industry in Kathmandu valley and interventions designing for all 5 districts (Nuwakot, Gorkha, Dhading, Sindhupalchowk and Kathmandu Valley) for 2017 and 2018. A 5 days will be allocated for all districts except Gorkha where it will take approximately 8 days. A total of 28 days will be required for this purpose.

Sharing with respective district  Consult with relevant stakeholder at VDC and districts level. 

Reporting                                Report writing; presentation to Oxfam team; finalize                                                 report (5 days) 

Action plan : 

Proposed Team:  

Payment Modality: 

The consultant will receive 30% of the total immediately upon the signing of the contract and the remainder of 70% on the completion and submission of the final report to Oxfam.

TAX: 

Applicable tax will be applied to as per the policy and guidelines of Oxfam and Government of Nepal. 

Competency of the consulting firm/Organization: 

• Demonstrated technical knowledge and experience in program designing, monitoring and evaluation.
• Previous experience in assessment and working with tourism sector.
• Good understanding of pro-poor & build back better approach.
• Knowledge & experience in Gender mainstreaming in tourism sector. 

Budget Breakdown: 

 Response

The consulting institution/firm should submit a proposal to Oxfam by 18 December 2016 via mail to recruitment_nepal@oxfam.org.uk  clearly mentioning the title of assignment in their subject line with following attached documents:

• Company registration certificate
• VAT registration Document
• TAX Clearence Certificate 
• CV of the Lead consultants
• Total budget breakdown
• Short technical proposal ( 3 pages maximum)

Note: The interested Firms/Institutes will be kept in our rooster of OXFAM for similar future consultancy requirement

DISCLAIMER 

• Oxfam GB reserves the right to alter the dates of the timetable. 
• OXFAM GB may cancel or postpone the Call for Proposal but notice will be provided to bidder. 
• Oxfam GB does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any Call for Proposal. 
• Oxfam GB is in no way responsible for the cost of preparation of the Call for Proposal response.