INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT SCOPE OF WORK

To support development of plan on eco-tourism, convalescence, entertainment and growing medicinal herbs in the special-use forest of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2022-2030

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A. DAI ORGANIZATION AND VALUES

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action - action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

B. PROJECT BACKGROUND

The USAID Sustainable Forest Management Project (the Project) will work with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to reduce carbon emissions associated with deforestation, the degradation of natural forests, and poor plantation management. The Project will implement a “Green Prosperity” approach that strengthens local communities’ ability to protect their natural resource base and reduce emissions while building a strong foundation for sustainable livelihoods and equitable economic growth.

The Project will work in seven provinces (Lao Cai, Son La, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Tri, Quang Nam) and focus on five objectives:

1. Improve and expand community forest management
2. Increase conservation-friendly enterprises in forest-dependent communities
3. Increase functionality of law enforcement system for forest crimes
4. Improve production forest management practices
5. Mobilize domestic resources for forest management and protection

The Project will be implemented during the period 2020-2025 by DAI in collaboration with RECOFTC and Preferred by Nature as partners, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) as the counterpart and the Management Board of Forestry Projects (MBFP) as Project owner.

C. DESCRIPTION OF CONSULTANCY SERVICE:

I.           BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

1.1.      Background

a)      Legal basis

In order for Vietnam's forestry industry to develop more and more sustainably, to mobilize all resources of the state and society in the work of national construction and development, the competent state agencies are constantly perfecting the legal framework. management, more and more complete, clear and rigorous, including:

• Forestry Law No. 16/2017/QH14 dated November 15, 2017 of the National Assembly, effective from January 1, 2019
• Decree No. 156/2018/ND-CP dated November 16, 2018 of the Government detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Forestry
• Circular 28/2019/TT-BNNPTNT dated November 16, 2018 of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development promulgating the Circular providing for sustainable forest management;

To comply with the provisions of Articles 14 and 23 of the Government's Decree No. 156/2018/ND-CP dated November 16, 2018 detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Forestry Law on the development of ecotourism plans. For recreation, relaxation and recreation in special-use forests and protection forests, the General Department of Forestry provides guidance for relevant units.

• Official Letter No. 1183 /TCLN-DDPH dated August 31, 2021 of the General Department of Forestry (VNFOREST) on guiding the development of a scheme for eco-tourism, convalescence and entertainment in special-use forests and protection forests;
• Decision No: 886/QD-UBND, Thanh Hoa province, dated March 10, 2022, on approving the outline of tasks and estimated budget for development of plan on eco-tourism, convalescence, entertainment and growing medicinal herbs in the special-use forest of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2022-2030;

The strict legal basis and detailed instructions above will ensure that the content of the plan on developing eco-tourism, resort and entertainment in special-use forests and protection forests is complete and consistent. legal basis for management boards of special-use forests and protection forests to consider, apply, and implement.

b)      The practical need for eco-tourism plan

Pu Luong Nature Reserve was established according to Decision No. 742/QD-CT dated April 24, 1999 of the Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, located on the administrative boundaries of two districts Ba Thuoc and Quan Hoa, the East and the North border with Hoa Binh province, the West and South are mainly adjacent to the rest of the communes belonging to the Nature Reserve, with a total area of ??16,986.16 ha.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve together with Cuc Phuong National Park, Ngoc Son - Ngo Luong Nature Reserve of Hoa Binh province form the Pu Luong - Cuc Phuong karst habitat complex, which is an important representative area of ??the global landscape. Forest ecosystem on limestone mountains has a large area and has high biodiversity value, the only remaining in the lowlands of Northern Vietnam, identified by domestic and international scientists. is a priority area for the conservation of biodiversity of forest ecosystems on limestone mountains.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve has high biodiversity with 1,579 species of plants and 908 species of animals. In which there are 58 species of rare and precious plants such as Northern Red Pine, Pa Co pine, Nghien, Dinh Tung, Limestone Diamond; There are 45 species of rare animals such as Sun Bear, Horse Bear, Northern Civet, Red-faced Monkey, Moldy Monkey, and Coyote.

In addition to the value of biodiversity, Pu Luong also preserves many beautiful natural landscapes with lush green terraces, waterfalls, ancient houses on stilts, villages along the forest and on top of the mountain. pristine beauty, the caves have their own beauty. Along with the traditional culture of Thai and Muong ethnic groups, historical relics; near tourist areas such as Mai Chau, Cam Luong Fish Stream, Ho Dynasty Citadel, Lam Kinh historical site; In addition to the beautiful natural landscapes, cultural features imbued with national identity, this place is also favored by nature with a cool climate, typically the Son-Ba-Muoi area of ??Lung Cao is likened to a is a Sapa of Thanh Hoa. From those potentials, the reserve has favorable conditions to develop eco-tourism, thereby creating jobs, improving and improving the quality of life for local people, reducing pressure on special-use forests.

Over the years, the Management Board of Pu Luong Nature Reserve has implemented programs, projects to sustainably manage forest resources and conserve biodiversity, step by step exploiting the potential of the natural landscape, culture and biodiversity values ??to serve the needs of ecotourism and entertainment. However, the implementation of activities in recent years has faced many difficulties and has not brought into play the potentials and advantages of the NR.

Therefore, in order to develop eco-tourism in Pu Luong Nature Reserve and promote the potential and strengths of the Nature Reserve, it is necessary to develop a “plan on eco-tourism, convalescence, entertainment and growing medicinal herbs in the special-use forest of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2022-2030". This will be the legal basis and the foundation for Pu Luong Nature Reserve to have an overview and comprehensive view of its potential strengths as well as to develop methodical, scientific and established development orientations. appropriate development roadmap to draw more resources for forest protection and development as well as to maintain the ecological services of the Nature Reserve. Therefore, the Project implemented by DAI Company needs to recruit a Tourism consultant to assist in developing the ecotourism Plan of Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

2.          OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

2.1.      Overall Objective

Partially support the Management Board of Pu Luong Nature Reserve to successfully develop the plan of eco-tourism, convalescence and entertainment in the special-use forest of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2021-2030 (hereinafter referred to as the Plan for short) and submit it to the competent authority for approval.

When implemented, the Plan will contribute to the development of eco-tourism, which is the foundation, helping to orient and build Pu Luong Nature Reserve into one of the most attractive, professional, and productive tourist destinations. Diverse tourism with its own unique identity. The Plan will also create a sustainable source of income for Pu Luong Nature Reserve as well as contribute to transforming the local economic structure, raising incomes and improving the lives of local people, generating revenue for environmental services. forest school from tourism.

2.2.      Specific Objectives

To develop the plan on eco-tourism, convalescence, entertainment and growing medicinal herbs in the special-use forest of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2022-2030

3.           SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will carry out the following tasks:

1. Act as the leader of a consulting group consisting of 2 members (tourism expert and cartographer) responsible for developing and completing the Plan of eco-tourism, convalescence, entertainment and growing medicinal herbs. in the special-use forest of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2022-2030
2. Work with the consultant supervisor, PPMU, Pu Luong NR and other consultants to agree on the work plan
3. Coordinate and guide support staff appointed by Pu Luong NR to collect, analyze, synthesize data, report and other tasks related to consulting tasks
4. Collect, research, synthesize data and draft a project on eco-tourism, convalescence, entertainment and growing medicinal herbs in the special-use forest of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2022-2030. The project should have the following contents as in Appendix 1 and according to the form of the VNFOREST
5. Present the draft consultation, collecting opinions of departments and stakeholders in the province, serving the process of drafting the content of the project of eco-tourism, convalescence, entertainment and planting special-use forest medicinal herbs. Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2022-2030
6. Submit the deliverables for this task as described in Part D
7. Submit the final version of the Draft Plan in Vietnamese and an English summary to the Management Board of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, PPMU Thanh Hoa and DAI for approval.

4.          LOCATIONS

Hanoi and Thanh Hoa

D. CONSULTATION TIME (LOE) AND DELIVERABLES

The estimated consulting time (LOE) for this task is 70 man-days, expected to start from May 2022, and submit the final version of the Plan before August 31, 2022, including field trips, to Thanh Hoa. the required products are listed in the table below. All final products must be submitted in Vietnamese (Exclude English only for final products). Specific products and timeframes are listed below. Please note that the report forms comply to the instructions of Official Letter No.: 1183 /TCLN-DDPH.

Activities	Deliverables	LOE	Time	Payment
1, 2, 3	Survey forms and samples to collect information for Pu Luong NR to collect and analyze	04	5/2022	The first: 35 days
4	A draft project of eco-tourism, convalescence, entertainment and growing medicinal herbs in the special-use forest of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2022-2030, is accepted by Pu Luong NR and submitted to all levels for approval. The project should have the full contents as shown in Appendix 1.	58	01/08
5	Report on draft 1 of the Scheme to collect information from stakeholders in the province and revise it for the second time	05	15/08	The last: 35 days
6, 7	Consultation, collection of information and comments and final revision of the Plan.	03	31/08
	Total days	70

Remark: All deliverables are to be approved by DAI, Thanh Hoa PPMU and Pu Luong Natural Reserve. All deliverables are required to be in Vietnamese. An English summary of the final version of the Draft Plan is required in addition to the full Vietnamese version. 

E.    QUALIFICATIONS

The tourism consultant - Team leader (01 person):

• Be a Vietnamese citizen
• Have Master's degree or higher in economics, forestry, biology, nature conservation, tourism or equivalent disciplines
• Have at least 15 years of experience as the team leader in the fields related to forestry policy, law, economy, tourism development planning, socio-economic development project formulation
• Have experience in developing ecotourism development projects for conservation areas and national parks
• Have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the forestry industry, economic development, investment attraction, and sustainable tourism development in Vietnam
• Understand the process of developing, approving and appraising ecotourism projects for protected areas and national parks
• Has management skills and experience, and coordinating with state agencies at all levels to complete the consulting contents with the required time and conditions
• Has working experience in Thanh Hoa is an advantage
• Has skills in using Microsoft office applications such as word and excel, data analysis tools and software
• Has skills in statistical data analysis; synthesize, write reports and present research results
• Be fluency in spoken and written English is an advantage.

E.    HOW TO APPLY AND REQUESTED DOCUMENTS

Individual interested candidates are requested to submit:

1. Updated CV in English and Vietnamese
2. Cover letter in English indicating why the applicant is suitable for this position along with current contact details of at least three referees in English or Vietnamese
3. Scanned copy of related degrees
4. Similar consultancy projects/reports completed before either in English or Vietnamese
5. Technical proposal in Vietnamese to carry out this consultancy assignment (approach and implementation plan).

via email to our recruitment email at [email protected]. Please quote the position title in the subject line: “Candidate’s full name _ Eco-tourism plan development”.

Deadline for application: 5.00 p.m. (Hanoi time), 12 April 2022

Remark: If being recruited, the candidate will have to provide DAI with a release letter with authorized signature and stamp from current employer to certify that candidate will not receive salary from current employer during the implementation of this consultancy assignment. This release letter is required for candidate who are currently working for government agencies only.

To learn more about DAI, please visit our website: https://www.dai.com/

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. DAI does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, veteran status, or other non-merit factor

Appendix 1: Proposed outline of ecotourism development project

1. Opening:

• The need to establish a project.
• Principles of tourism development.

2. Chapter I: Conditions for tourism development and current status of tourism activities in the special-use forest Pu Luong Nature Reserve

2.1. Natural conditions and natural tourism potential

• Geographic location, boundaries, and area.
• Topography and geology.
• Climate and tourist season.
• Hydrological.
• Current land use status.
• Forest area.
• Biodiversity.
• Natural landscape.

2.2. People's livelihood, economy - society and potential for cultural tourism

• Population.
• Social and economic conditions.
• Cultural tourism potential.

2.3. Traffic

 

2.4. Current status of tourism activities

• Organizational management and human resources.
• Current status of tourism infrastructure and technical facilities.
• Current status of tourism types and products.
• Current status of destinations, routes, and travel programs.
• Tourism investment.
• Stakeholders and cooperation in tourism development.
• Current status of promotion and advertising activities.
• Current status of community participation.
• Current status of tourism environmental protection.
• Current status of interpreting activities through tourism.
• Business results.

2.5. General assessment of conditions for tourism development and current status of tourism activities in the special-use forest of Pu Luong Nature Reserve

3. Chapter II: Contents of developing eco-tourism, convalescence, entertainment and growing medicinal herbs in special-use forests Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2022 - 2030

3.1. Basis for project construction

• Legal grounds.
• Scientific and practical basis.

3.2. Oriented development

3.3. Development goals and targets

• Objectives: General goals, specific goals.
• Specific targets.

3.4. Evaluation of factors affecting the development of eco-tourism, convalescence, entertainment and medicinal plant cultivation of special-use forests in Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2022 - 2030

• From policy.
• From communities and organizations and individuals doing business and tourism activities.
• From the inside of the Management Board of Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
• From other factors.

3.5. Content of developing places and routes for eco-tourism, convalescence and entertainment in special-use forests in Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2022 - 2030.

• Orientation and explanation of the choice of tourist attractions.
• Orientation and explanation for the selection of tourist routes.

3.6. Proposing the list of projects prioritized for investment and implementation budget

• Investment estimate, capital source, investment phase (for the period 2022 - 2025 and 2026 - 2030) and capital mobilization plan.
• List of priority projects.

4. Chapter III: Solutions to develop eco-tourism, resort, entertainment and medicinal plants in the special-use forest of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, period 2022 - 2030

4.1. Group of solutions to protect tourism environment, develop forests, conserve nature and biodiversity

4.2. Group of solutions on mechanisms, policies and management

4.3. Group of solutions to raise awareness and develop tourism human resources.

4.4. Group of solutions to develop tourism infrastructure and technical facilities.

4.5. Group of solutions to develop tourism products and types.

4.6. Group of tourism investment solutions and tourism development links.

4.7. Group of solutions to promote and develop the tourism market.

4.8. Group of solutions for community development and preservation and promotion of indigenous cultural values.

4.9. Solution group on interpretation and education.

4.10. Group of solutions on security and safety in organizing tourism activities.

4.11. Group of digital transformation solutions towards smart tourism (if any).

5. Chapter IV: Organization of implementation, management, supervision and effectiveness of the Scheme

5.1. The effectiveness of the project

5.2. Implementation organization

5.3. Evaluation and monitoring organization

6. Conclusions and recommendations

Organization: DAI
Location:
Application deadline: 2022-04-12
Send application to: [email protected]