Work with us

RFQ-FJ24-024 Conduct a survey and assessment on Tourism practices and certification in the Tourism industry in Fiji.

1. Background

Market Development Facility (MDF) is a multi-country Australian Government funded initiative, with locations in Fiji, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. MDF aims to stimulate economic growth — and hence employment and income earning opportunities for the poor and underprivileged — by making selected sectors of the economy more competitive and stimulating business innovation. MDF is implemented by Palladium Group and Swisscontact and started operations in Fiji in July 2011. In Fiji, MDF focuses on developing a growing, diversified, and inclusive tourism industry, while also improving the competitiveness of Fiji’s high value agriculture and urban industries.

According to the Twenty31 report, global travellers demand more sustainable, eco-conscious products and services post-pandemic. Thus, it is imperative that the Tourism sector strategically aligns itself in order to bolster its competitiveness in the global arena. As a small island nation, Fiji is heavily reliant on the Tourism sector, which is vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Hence there is a need to conserve and sustain our natural resources. There are also untapped opportunities for the development and growth of sustainable offers that meet the demands of post-pandemic, eco-conscious travellers.

To support this, it is important to have a good understanding of the status quo for sustainable practices and certification amongst FHTA members in line with the proposed GSTC guided tourism standards. In addition, Fiji through the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA) has drafted a National Sustainability Tourism Framework (NSTF), and the activities under this MoU will support the alignment of FHTA members to this framework.

FHTA plays a pivotal role in the drafting and implementation of the NSTF. As key representative body of the private sector within the tourism industry, FHTA contributes industry expertise and stakeholder perspectives to inform the development and implementation of the NSFT. Through proactive involvement in the drafting process, FHTA facilitated the creation of a comprehensive framework that promotes responsible tourism practices, fostering economic development, and growth within the tourism industry and broader Fijian economy.

Objectives of the assignment

The objective of the survey and assessment is to understand the status quo of sustainable practices, the level of awareness, and demand for certification by FHTA member accommodation and activity providers.

This survey will enable FHTA to identify opportunities and develop strategies that will link to their 3-5 year Fiji Tourism Sustainability Plan.

To achieve these objectives, a mix of research methodologies will need to be used including but not limited to interviews with tourism operators, certification needs assessment, and desktop research.

2. Scope of Services

FHTA and MDF are seeking to engage a service provider whose responsibilities will include but not limited to:

• 1. Co-design and develop a Research Plan (with FHTA and MDF) including but not limited to timelines, methodologies, approach, resources, and questionnaires to capture the status quo of sustainable practices of FHTA members. This will inform a collective overview of the sustainable future of FHTA members in line with FHTA’s 3-5 year sustainability plan and the National Sustainable Tourism Framework. The methodology used must take into consideration the different types of tourism operators, size, location and product and service provided and use the National Tourism standard as a benchmark for the assessment.
  • a) Assess existing sustainable practices and/or initiatives encompassing but not limited to cost savings initiatives, CSR projects, current certifications, monitoring and auditing systems;
  • b) Through the qualitative and quantitative research, collate key data and insights to determine:
    • – reasons for becoming sustainably certified, or not;
    • – status quo of sustainable certification among tourism operators who are FHTA members;
    • – type of certification obtained or demanded;
    • – current sustainable practices engaged;
    • – relevance and drivers for operators to obtain certifications;
    • – the demand for sustainability standards and measures from a contracting and compliance requirement and;
    • – interest to engage in sustainable practices, if not already doing so;
  • c) Conduct an audit of sustainable practices against the National Tourism Standard led by FHTA;
  • d) Conduct training on auditing procedures for collecting and collating survey information;
  • e) Determine FHTA members’ willingness to pay for certifications.
  • f) Determine the requirements for a locally based monitoring and auditing facility which can include but is not limited to; qualifications of staff, system setups, establishment costs, training needs, and regulatory compliance;
  • g) Explore operating financial models or options for certification and accreditation programs suited to the business operation, including a cost-benefit analysis of an outside third-party model versus an FHTA member incentive model.
  • h) Develop the final report including but not limited to key findings and recommendations addressing all sections outlined in the approved Research Plan.

3. Experience and qualifications

The service provider should demonstrate the following required skills and qualifications:

• • Relevant qualification and experience in Market Research, Analytics, Business and Management or related fields;
• • Prior experience in conducting surveys, assessments, and developing high quality reports on sustainable tourism practices;
• • Comprehensive understanding experience in sustainable tourism standards and certification;
• • Excellent communication, writing, and people skills;
• • Excellent organizational skills, including working according to tight deadlines while maintaining product.

4. Quote / Proposal Format

Interested service providers must complete the Response Form provided with this RFQ to submit an offer.

5. Evaluation Criteria

Technical Criteria

MDF will assess each submission based on compliance with this RFQ, ability to meet the requirements as specified and overall value for money. The technical response will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• A. Demonstrated capability to deliver the requirements as described in this RFQ. (35%)
• B. Approach to delivering the Services (35%).
• C. Qualifications and experience of proposed personnel (30%)+

The technical score will account for 80% of the total score.

Financial Criteria

Following consideration of the technical response, MDF will undertake a price comparison of all technically suitable offers. The resulting financial score will account for 20% of the total score.

6. Contracting details

The successful service provider will be contracted by MDF and thus will work under the guidance of MDF and Fiji Hotel Tourism Association (FHTA) at all times, providing regular updates to both parties on progress and any problems that may be encountered.

If your quote is successful, you will be required to enter into the Company’s standard contract for the types of goods or services being provided. In the provision of the Goods and Services, you will be required to comply with the Company’s policies, including (without limitation) its Business Partner Code of Conduct and any relevant Project Manual. Potential suppliers must also comply with the Company’s Business Partner Code of Conduct in the submission of any quotes pursuant to this RFQ.

If you are bidding as part of a joint venture, partnership or similar, please make this clear in your submission. Likewise, if you propose to subcontract any part of the goods or services provision, then disclose this fact within your submission. The Company may require additional information from you and approval for subcontracting will not be automatic as subcontractors will be subject to Palladium’s Due Diligence process.

Registration of Interest

Register your interest to submit an offer by sending your name, organization and contact details to the Contact Person by email on or before Wednesday, 17 April 2024, 5:30pm Fiji Time.

Last date for Queries

Send queries to the Contact Person by email on or before Monday, 22 April 2024, 5:30pm Fiji Time. Indicate “RFQ-FJ24-024 Conduct a survey and assessment on Tourism practices and certification in the Tourism industry in Fiji”.

Closing Date and Time

Tuesday, 30 April 2024, 5:30pm Fiji Time.

Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist

Market Development Facility is an Australian Government funded multi-country initiative which promotes sustainable economic development, through higher incomes for women and men, in our partner countries.

We connect individuals, businesses, governments, and NGOs with each other, and with markets at home and abroad. This enhances investment and coordination and allows partnerships to flourish, strengthening inclusive economic growth.

MDF is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT). It is implemented by Palladium in partnership with Swisscontact.

MDF currently operates in Fiji, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

MDF has staff in each country team responsible for monitoring, results measurement, evaluation, and inclusion. Other development programs typically incorporate such functions under the umbrella of MRM, M&E or MERL. In MDF, these functions come under what we call ‘Quality and Inclusion’. This work is divided into two areas (a) Quality – which includes monitoring and results measurement; and (b) Inclusion – which includes cross-cutting issues such as climate change, gender equality and disability.

About the role:

The Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist –  , Research, Impact Measurement, and Inclusion (RIMI) is responsible for Monitoring and Results Measurement (MRM) on assigned programmes.  In other words, measuring the results of MDF’s work to determine if we’re achieving the desired objectives with tangible and credible results measurement.

If you’re someone who enjoys monitoring and analysing results and research measurement, combined with the diversity of conducting field trips to gather real time information and data, then this role is for you.

MDF activities are making a genuine difference to people’s lives and communities including initiatives focussed on climate change and inclusion.

The successful applicant would join a small and cohesive team of other Fiji-based RIMI Specialists, working across the Pacific Region in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Key responsibilities

• • Contribute to the development and review of all documentation wholly or partially focused on Monitoring and Results Measurement (MRM).
• • Using a research calendar, support planning of all MRM work for relevant countries to ensure timely completion of fieldwork, analysis, and data presentation.
• • Ensure integration of MRM documentation and data into MDF’s Management Information System.
• • Ensure that projections and results from responsible countries are accurately aggregated for planning, reporting, and learning purposes, providing insights into progress against key headline and intermediary indicators.
• • Provide advice to teams on how to integrate climate change principles of adaptation, mitigation, and resilience in all activities, including intervention and results measurement documents.
• • Contribute to the development and learning of the MDF team, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the broader global development community through lessons sharing, reflection, evidence gathering, in-house trainings and events participation.

Requirements

• • A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation/MRM, research, economics, business, international development, or related fields.
• • Qualitative and quantitative research skills and experience, including in complex field research, in areas such as productivity, poverty and social norms, sustainability and resilience.
• • Experience in analysing complex data sets and conveying findings into simple, clear, and actionable content.
• • Willingness to work in challenging environments and travel extensively to and within MDF countries.
• • Strong written and spoken English language skills.

Application Requirements

Please submit your CV and brief cover letter (no more than one page) outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.
This position is open to Fiji nationals and permanent residents with authority to live and work in Fiji. Rates of pay are based on local labour standards.

Application close date
Applications close at midnight Friday 15 March 2024 (Fiji Time).

Business Adviser, Market Development Facility (MDF) – Fiji & Regional

Market Development Facility is a multi-country initiative, funded by Australian Government and the New Zealand Government, which promotes sustainable economic development, through higher incomes for women and men, in our partner countries.

We connect individuals, businesses, governments and NGOs with each other, and with markets at home and abroad. This enhances investment and coordination and allows partnerships to flourish, strengthening inclusive economic growth. It is implemented by Palladium in partnership with Swisscontact.

MDF Fiji and Regional are recruiting several Business Advisers. We are looking for candidates with a diverse range of skills. Some of the qualities we are seeking include:

• Business acumen
• Creativity and an eye for innovation
• Robust analytical skills
• Persuasive communication and negotiation skills
• Excellent English communication skills – verbal and written.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of our dynamic and dedicated team working to build a stronger, more resilient and equitable Fiji/Pacific. The position is perfect for individuals that are looking to apply their investigative skills and gain hands-on experience in economic development in a thriving and supportive workplace.

Assignment objectives

The Business Adviser analyses economic opportunities and constraints to growth and develops innovative solutions with businesses and other organisations. The economic sectors in which you will work may change over time but are likely to include one or more of the following: agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and financial services.

Responsibilities

• Meeting with a wide variety of public and private stakeholders, especially businesses, government officials, workers, and farmers, to understand how the economy, sectors, markets and businesses in Fiji/Pacific function. This will include travel and fieldwork throughout the country/Region.
• With the support of colleagues and management, conducting socioeconomic analysis, including assessing the business environment, poverty, gender, industry competitiveness, as well as the roles of businesses, traders and farmers. This will include identifying constraints to, and opportunities to promote economic growth.
• Assisting with the creation of strategies that will allow MDF to address the constraints identified, and achieve MDF’s pro-poor economic development objectives.
• Designing innovative activities in line with MDF’s strategies. This will include working with a wide mix of organisations, devising new business models, negotiating with prospective partners, and drafting concept notes and contracts.
• Developing strong working relationships with program partners and other external stakeholders, from government, the private sector and non-government organisations.
• Monitoring the progress of activities, making adjustments based on lessons, and identifying opportunities to scale up the best ideas.
• Working with Research, Impact Measurement and Inclusion staff to create, monitor and update quality and inclusion documentation, including results chains, results measurement plans, field surveys, etc.
• Integrate climate change principles of adaptation, mitigation and resilience, intervention and results measurement documents.
• Applying inclusion frameworks and strategies (gender equality, disability inclusion) to all programme activities.
• Working with communications staff to develop communications products related to MDF’s activities.
• Supporting various aspects of program administration, including contracting, budgeting, financial management, recruitment, etc.

Key requirements

Essential

1. 1. An entrepreneurial attitude, and a strong interest in working with the private sector on innovative business models.
2. 2. Willingness to work hard and travel extensively within Fiji and Region, meeting a diverse range of stakeholders, conducting research and monitoring activities.
3. 3. Demonstrated interpersonal skills with both colleagues and external stakeholders.
4. 4. Familiarity with issues affecting the Fiji/Pacific economy, business environment and international business trends.
5. 5. At least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as economics, business, agriculture, tourism, or international development, or equivalent professional experience.
6. 6. Excellent English language skills (written and spoken).

Desirable

7. 7. Work experience in economic development, business, or closely related fields.
8. 8. The ability to undertake short-term travel to other MDF Pacific locations for capacity building (subject to travel and health restrictions).

Applications

The position is open to Fiji nationals and permanent residents with authority to live and work in Fiji.  Rates of pay are based on local labour standards.

MDF is committed to creating creative and diverse workforce. In addition to competitive pay and benefits, we offer internal and external learning and professional development of staff.

Please send your CV and cover letter addressing outlining your skills and experience. Applications close midnight 15 March 2024 (Fiji Time).