Senior Advisor for Ecotourism

CTG overview:

• CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006.
• CTG recruits, deploys and manages the right people with the right skills to implement humanitarian and development projects, from cleaners to obstetricians, and mechanics to infection specialists, we’re skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Key to successful project delivery is the ability to mobilise at speed; CTG can source and deploy anyone, anywhere, in less than 2 weeks and have done so in 48 hours on a number of occasions.
• Through our efficient and agile HR, logistical and operational services, CTG saves multilateral organisations time and money. We handle all our clients’ HR related issues, so they are free to focus on their core services.
• Visit www.ctg.org to find out more

Overview of position:
In support of the realization of the ambitious Saudi Arabia & Middle East Green Initiative under the Saudi Vision 2030, the National Center for Vegetation Cover & Combating Desertification (NCVC) has been tasked with combating desertification, rehabilitating forest vegetation cover, protecting local endangered plant species & managing national parks. This project is designed to support NCVC in increasing necessary institutional, technical & technological capacities to realize its mandate more effectively & efficiently. The enhanced NCVC capacity will be achieved through transforming information technology & digital capabilities, establishing cooperation & strengthening its network internationally & promoting forest conservation practices & increasing environmental awareness to ensure the long term sustainability of NCVC activities at the policy level & on the ground. The project will support the achievement of the ambitious Saudi Green Initiative by designing a model of a tree nursery & seed bank with a road map for establishing a large scale nursery facility to meet the Kingdom’s afforestation goals, along with by aligning policy & standards of tree planting & creating a mechanism to coordinate the afforestation work among different actors. These objectives will be achieved through a whole of society approach, in close partnership with the private sector, academia, youth & other relevant stakeholders to ensure the long term sustainability of the activities across the project lifecycle & beyond. This project will build upon the long standing Standard Basic Framework Agreement (SBBA) which was agreed upon between the Kingdom & our client in 1975. The project expected outputs are:

• Output 1: Strengthening international cooperation & network.
• Output 2: Promoting conservation practices & strengthening environmental awareness via advocacy & outreach.
• Output 3: Model tree nursery design & ecosystem conservation.
• Output 4: Transformation of information technology & digital infrastructure.
• Output 5: Strengthening institutional & technical capacity.

The Senior Advisor for Ecotourism will be responsible for the following:
Strategic planning & partnership development:

• Develop a strategic plan for the development of sustainable tourism, ecotourism & nature based recreation across NCVC lands & waters.
• Identify key stakeholders, potential partners & international entities with expertise & best practices relevant to the NCVC’s mandates.
• Develop a strategic plan for international cooperation & partnerships related to sustainable tourism & ecotourism, aligned with the NCVC’s vision & goals.
• Establish & maintain relationships with global & regional conservation & ecotourism entities, organizations & experts working in the field of sustainable tourism & ecotourism associated with ecosystems conservation, forest planning & monitoring & national park management (eg World Travel & Tourism Council, UN World Tourism Organization, Global Ecotourism Network, UNESCO, IUCN).
• Represent the NCVC in national & international sustainable tourism & ecotourism conferences, workshops & forums to showcase its work & build partnerships.
• Develop support partnerships with international organizations for the 2024 International Ecotourism Conference.
• Maintain close collaboration with related KSA agencies & in particular the Saudi Tourism Authority.

Policy development & knowledge sharing:

• Provide strategic advice & support in the development & implementation of policies, legislation & regulatory frameworks related to sustainable tourism, ecotourism & nature based recreation.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing & collaboration through conferences, workshops, field visits, study tours & exchange programs with national & international entities & partners.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing & capacity building activities on international best practices, standards & innovative approaches in the field of sustainable tourism, ecotourism & nature based recreation.
• Adopt or develop internationally recognized standards for ecotourism & nature based recreation services including visitor facilities, communications & education.
• Initiate relevant capacity building programs for NCVC staff & relevant stakeholders across naturebased recreation, sustainable tourism & ecotourism.
• Contribute to the production of knowledge products, policy briefs & research papers to enhance the NCVC’s visibility & thought leadership in the national & international arena.

Ecotourism & nature based recreation planning, development & management:

• Develop or modify existing planning tools for the selection of priority areas for ecotourism & naturebased recreation on NCVC lands & waters.
• Develop or modify planning tools suitable for the natural & cultural settings of the Kingdom, for ecotourism & nature based recreation on NCVC lands & waters.
• Development or modify tools to assist in the development & management of ecotourism & nature based recreation on NCVC lands & waters.
• Collaborate with responsible divisions within NCVC to ensure the integration of ecotourism & nature based recreation within overarching management plans.

Research, monitoring evaluation & standards:

• Develop a monitoring & evaluation framework to assess the progress & impact of the ecotourism initiatives.
• Commission ecotourism research that has an applied focus to guide NCVC & ecotourism businesses operating within & adjacent to NCVS lands & waters.
• Maintain close collaboration with the tourism research program of the STA (& the tourism research of governorates & other agencies).
• Investigate proven effective approaches for certification / codes of conduct for commercial ecotourism operations.

Governance & activation:

• Contribute to the development of regulations, by laws, leases & permitting systems that will apply to ecotourism & nature based recreation.
• Contribute to the development of policies & regulations related to charging & revenue collection for ecotourism & nature based recreation activities on NCVC lands & waters.
• Establish a multidisciplinary team to provide specialist ecotourism input into the various divisions of NCVC & within protected areas.
• Contribute to the development of consumer focused information, promotion & marketing of ecotourism & nature based recreation options on RCVC lands & waters.

The Senior Advisor for Ecotourism will be responsible for delivering the following:
Strategic planning & partnership development:

• Develop a strategic plan for the development of sustainable tourism, ecotourism & nature based recreation across NCVC lands & waters.
• Prepare a report identifying key stakeholders, potential partners & international entities with expertise & best practices relevant to the NCVC’s mandates, including a strategic plan for international cooperation & partnerships related to sustainable tourism & ecotourism, aligned with the NCVC’s vision & goals.
• Develop a plan & schedule to engage with global & regional conservation, tourism & ecotourism entities, organizations & experts based around building relationships, contributing to their initiatives & attending strategic meetings. This includes developing partnerships with international organisations for the 2024 International Ecotourism Conference.
• Maintain & report on regular communication with the Saudi Tourism Authority & participate in national planning initiatives.

Policy development & knowledge sharing:

• Reports on strategic advice & support provided in the development & implementation of policies, legislation & regulatory frameworks.
• Report on technical inputs & collaboration efforts through conferences, workshops, field visits, study tours & exchange programs with national & international entities & partners.
• Plan & convene an international ecotourism conference in 2024 either as a standalone event or as a stream in the greening Arabia conference.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing & capacity building activities on international best practices, standards & innovative approaches in the field of sustainable tourism, ecotourism & nature based recreation.
• Document internationally recognized standards for ecotourism & nature based recreation services including visitor facilities, communications & education / interpretation.
• Report on capacity building programs undertaken for NCVC staff & relevant stakeholders.
• Report on the production of knowledge products, policy briefs & research papers to enhance the NCVC’s visibility & thought leadership in the national & international arena.

Ecotourism & nature based recreation planning, development & management:

• Develop & document planning tools for the selection of priority areas for ecotourism & nature based recreation on NCVC lands & waters.
• Develop & document planning tools suitable for the natural & cultural settings of the Kingdom, for ecotourism & nature based recreation on NCVC lands & waters.
• Development & document tools to assist in the development & management of ecotourism & nature based recreation on NCVC lands & waters.
• Report on collaboration with responsible divisions within NCVC to ensure the integration of ecotourism & nature based recreation within overarching management plans.

Research, monitoring evaluation & standards:

• Develop & document a monitoring & evaluation framework to assess the progress & impact of the ecotourism initiatives.
• Report on ecotourism research that has been undertaken guide NCVC & ecotourism businesses operating within & adjacent to NCVS lands & waters.
• Maintain close collaboration with the tourism research program of the STA (& the tourism research of governorates & other agencies).
• Prepare a report on the recommended approach to certification / codes of conduct for commercial ecotourism operations.

Governance & activation:

• Prepare a report on policy recommendations in relation to the development of regulations, by laws, leases, permitting & charging regimes that may apply to ecotourism & nature based recreation.
• Prepare recommendations for the establishment of a multi disciplinary team to provide specialist ecotourism input into the various divisions of NCVC & within protected areas.
• Strategic plan on the development of consumer focused information, promotion & marketing of ecotourism & nature based recreation on RCVC lands & waters.

Project reporting:

• The Senior Advisor for Ecotourism will work under the direct supervision of National Project Coordinator at NCVC & indirectly to the National Project Officer.

Key competencies:

• Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies, or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in international cooperation & partnerships, preferably in the field of environmental conservation & sustainable development.
• Substantial knowledge & applied experience in the creation & operation of ecotourism operational units within government.
• Substantial experience in protected area management & the management of tourism & recreation on protected areas.
• Substantial experience in the creation & management of multi disciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge & understanding of international ecotourism & conservation cooperation frameworks & mechanisms.
• Proven experience in establishing & managing partnerships with national & international organizations & government agencies.
• Excellent strategic planning & negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical & problem solving abilities.
• Effective communication & interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently & as part of a team.
• Familiarity with the Middle East region & understanding of its environmental challenges.
• Experience in working with national & international stakeholders on sustainable tourism & ecotourism projects.
• Knowledge of sustainable development goals & their implementation in the context of environmental tourism initiatives.
• Project management skills & experience in coordinating & overseeing complex projects.
• Commercial experience of operating ecotourism enterprises on protected areas.
• Knowledge & experience of organizing & convening national & international ecotourism conference events.
• Excellent proficiency in English (both written & spoken) is required & knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.
• Professional certificates in protected area planning would be advantageous.
• Set & align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Create & act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
• Proactively initiate & champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
• Think beyond immediate task / barriers & take action to achieve greater results.
• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion interagency collaboration.
• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce & champion inclusivity.
• Knowledge of intergovernmental bodies (general assembly, ECOSOC, UNDESA, etc.), including respective mandates, ways of working & negotiation processes.
• Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing & management of team budgets.
• Ability to engage with a wide range of public & private partners, build, sustain & / or strengthen working relations, trust & mutual understanding.
• Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programs / projects / initiatives) with funding opportunities & establish a plan to meet funding requirements.
• Green economy & green growth.
• Economic transformation, policy & planning governance.
• Effective & efficient delivery & implementation of programs & projects.

Team management:

• Team management experience is desired for this role.

Further information:

• The expected duration of the work is 12 months.
• The completion of deliverables & milestones will be spread out throughout the duration of the project, with specific timelines provided in the deliverables table.
• The timeline for review & feedback on deliverables will be communicated by the Project Manager at the NCVC.
• Any adjustments or extensions to the duration of the work will be mutually agreed upon by the Senior Advisor for Ecotourism & the NCVC, considering the project’s progress & requirements.
• This assignment will be NCVC Riyadh & homebased.
• Our client will cover the around ticket to / from the duty station.
• If unforeseen travel outside the consultant’s duty station city is requested by our client & not required by the Terms of References (ToR), such travel shall be covered by our client in line with applicable rules & regulations & upon prior written agreement. In such cases, the consultant shall receive living allowances not exceeding the United Nations (UN) Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) rate for such other location(s).
• A written approval from our client & relevant authorities will be required to facilitate the consultant’s travel to any locations than stated on this TOR on official missions where necessary.
• It’s important to note that the expected outputs & deliverables may be subject to adjustment & refinement during the project based on evolving needs & priorities.
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.