Project Officer Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT)
Location: Hanoi (30%) and Quan Ba district / Ha Giang province (70%)
Expected starting date: September 6, 2010
For support to our second phase of the Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) in Quan Ba district, Ha Giang province, Caritas Switzerland is recruiting a qualified national professional, with a keen interest in community development/pro-poor tourism in Vietnam, and working with ethnic groups.
Background of the project :
Located at the highest latitude in Vietnam, Ha Giang Province shares a border with China in the north. Ha Giang's complicated topography with a relatively high altitude from 1,000m to 1,600m, is one of rocky mountain, separated rivers, sloping mountain sides, high passes, valleys, and narrow springs. The climate is divided in two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. The annual average temperature varies between 24 and 28ºC. In winter, the temperature is sometimes down to -5ºC.
Quan Ba district in Ha Giang province is one of the poorest areas in Vietnam. About 85% of the people are ethnic minorities, mainly Mong, Dao, Nung, and some other smaller communities of Tay, Pu Y etc.
Caritas Switzerland in Vietnam, together with the local authorities, aims to develop an alternative source of income for the local people with tourism. It will assist the village(r)s through capacity building and awareness raising to become conscientious hosts and take actively part in this new livelihood opportunity. A first sustainable tourism project has been implemented in 2004-2005, then a new assessment and evaluation of the potential of a Pro-Poor Tourism strategy development in the area has been conducted in 2009-2010.
The new Project Officer for the PPT project will have the mission to implement the activities on the field and lead the negotiations with the tour operators new and potential partners, as grossly specified in the work plan.
Major functions
Finalize the project design and strategy, start with the implementation work from September 2010 with the volunteer PPT (the volunteer PPT will leave at the end of November);
Take over all actions and responsibilities of facilitating this action;
Major duties and tasks
1. Organize and monitor participatory workshop in the villages to determinate the type of “homestay” suitable for each village, to define culture aspects to share with visitors and village activities, etc;
2. Organize and facilitate regular village/commune meetings (info, up-date, agreements/decisions making);
3. Organize and facilitate training for PPT;
4. Partnership building with (local) authorities and private sector (Ha Giang and Hanoi): submit MoA and follow-up of the negotiations with each partner, organize a conference/meeting as a call for contribution to new partners;
5. Reporting/documentation (including translations);
6. Organize and assist in exchange visits;
7. Related logistics in terms of administration, procedures, preparation and implementation.
8. Assist the team of Quan Ba office on the other projects (10-15%)
Minimum qualifications
Knowledge:
- A degree in development studies, tourism, economics or other relevant studies;
- Knowledge about sustainable/eco tourism, its different types, their goal and objectives, the principles and benefit sharing mechanisms;
- Knowledge of ethnic communities living in North Vietnam
- Good English
- H’Mong or Dao languages are an asset
Experience:
- At least 2 years experience in working on sustainable tourism projects with ethnic communities;
- Relevant experience in working directly with local authorities (province, district and commune levels).
Skills and abilities:
- Familiarity with H’Mong and Dao cultures;
- Excellent communicative skills especially for animating workshops and meetings with the villagers;
- Creative and innovative skills;
- Willing to travel to and live in a remote area, with basic infrastructures and facilities;
- Good negotiation and diplomatic skills;
- Computer Microsoft office and internet.
Interested candidates are invited to send us their cover letter and CV in English to [email protected], by the 15th of August 2010.
Short-listed candidates will be informed and invited to the interview on the 16-17th of August. The interviews will take place from the 19th to the 21st of August. The successful candidate is expected to start on the 6th of September 2010.