MPDF is seeking consultants to Tourism Program
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST INVITEDConsultants to Tourism Program
The Mekong Private Sector Development Facility (MPDF), is a multi-donor funded initiative set up by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam, to reduce poverty through sustainable private sector development. IFC-MPDF works to improve the business environment, develop the financial sector and increase the capacity of managers through training. It also works in a coordinated way at the micro, meso and macro levels in selected sectors – tourism, agribusiness, garments and handicrafts – to help groups of small and medium enterprises to solve common problems and compete successfully in the global economy. IFC-MPDF's donors are the Asian Development Bank, Australia, Canada, Finland, IFC, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
MPDF is helping the accommodation sector in Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR, to increase access to markets and improve operational efficiency. It is also piloting sustainable tourism initiatives, initially focused in Siem Reap, Luang Prabang and Hoi An.
COMPONENTS OF WORK
Tourism Consultancy for local hotels and guesthouses:
• Operational Capacity Building – especially marketing
• Sustainable Tourism – including certification standards
Will involve: strategic planning, project design, implementation support, including creating and delivering resources to SMEs and partners (mainly accommodation providers, but may involve tour operators, training schools etc.), monitoring and evaluation planning and assessment, and communications and stakeholder management.
Web Design Consultancy:
• Design and development of 1-2 websites to promote /market tourism in the region ( e.g. for tourism associations)
• Web-marketing consultancy and support
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Suitable firms will have significant experience of working with SMEs and tourism industry stakeholders, being able to demonstrate good credibility and proven track record in (i) sustainable tourism (possibly with experience of certification), (ii) consulting and training to small hotels and guesthouses, (iii) web marketing. They will have an excellent understanding of tourism issues in the Mekong region at the macro, meso and micro levels, bringing a good network of relevant contacts in the region and/or industry as required.
LOCATION AND TERMS
The assignments will be based out of Ho Chi Minh City, with travel as necessary in and around countries covered by IFC-MPDF. The assignments will be part time, between April 2006 and December 2007, likely to be around 30-50 days in total, of which around 10-15 may be web marketing related.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
MPDF would like to invite firms with relevant experience to perform one or both of the above components in one or more countries, to register an initial Expression of Interest, and request Terms of Reference, by 14 April 2006.
Please detail: (1) Firm capability statement (with short credentials of previous projects and experience); (2) indicative daily rates (assuming operational travel and expenses covered separately); (3) Short Curriculum Vitae for key personnel, and submit to: ptram@ifc.org - or
Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Tram,
IFC-MPDF, Somerset Chancellor Court,
21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, D1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Fax: 84 8 823 5271.
Proposals will be received until 21 April, and short-listed firms will be contacted for an interview. No return of applications/proposals and no telephone calls please. All materials will be handled in strictest confidence.
