US Forest Service: Namibia tourism expert position

Opportunity location: US Forest Service; Namibia
Closing date (if specified): No date specified (will remain here for 90 days from posting date)

Opportunity Description:

The USDA Forest Service (USFS) is looking to hire one or more international tourism expert(s), preferably with emerging markets experience, to perform a short peer review of a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) planned tourism investment in Namibia. The Government of the Republic of Namibia(GRN) submitted a proposal to MCC for funding in September 2006 that contained a tourism sector investment that may be an element of a future compact agreement that MCC plans to sign with the GRN. The USFS is supporting MCC with due diligence of the tourism proposal through an Inter-Agency Agreement.

The tourism expert should be familiar with the general structure,challenges and opportunities of the wildlife-based tourism industry in emerging markets and/or Southern Africa, and be familiar with models that promote community involvement in tourism. The expert should also be familiar with tourism marketing trends and best practices, and have a working knowledge of marketing tools used by governments to increase tourism numbers. The expert should also understand linkages between protected areas and tourism enterprises and be able to identify priority capacity building needs to promote entry into and progress through the tourism sector by rural Namibians. The USFS plans to hire this expert to perform a desk review of the proposed MCC tourism project and brief MCC senior staff about strengths,weaknesses, and recommended modifications of the currently proposed approach. Interested candidates should respond to this Request for Expression of Interest with a short motivational statement, a CV or resume that summarizes of relevant experience, proposed consultancy rate, and dates of availability. Immediate availability is needed. Travel to Namibia is not anticipated to be necessary at this time. Travel to Washington DC to brief MCC Senior Staff is preferable but not required.

Please contact Oliver Pierson, USFS Africa Program Coordinator, at
opierson@fs.fed.us for more information.

For more info, contact:

opierson@fs.fed.us