National Specialist in Status-quo study for integrated agro-ecotourism and organic agriculture in Ca Mau province

Organizational Setting

On 11 January 2019, at the Programmatic Dialogue with FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development officially requested support of FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme on Organic Agriculture in combination with agro-ecotourism for biennium 2018-19. This project aims to increase and diversify rural income through development of small-scale organic farming system and agro-ecotourism operations in pilot areas; environmental protection and sustainable resources development; and reduction of rural-urban migration. Ca Mau was selected as a pilot to generate lessons for scale-up in Mekong Delta and other regions.

The project will support to convert into modern from conventional farming practices for rural poor and rural communities through participatory involvement, develop small-scale organic/plastic-free farming system and agro-ecotourism operation in pilot areas and protect environment and ecosystem. Through organic-ecotourism operation, the project also make rural areas more attractive to young generation, and increase the retention of rural population in their location of origin. The success of the pilot will be a good model for further widely promote and application of agro-ecotourism in Viet Nam.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and the National Programme Officer on Food Systems at FAO Representation in Viet Nam, and technical supervision by the Lead Technical Officer, the Team Leader – National Consultant will lead the consultant team and be responsible for sector analysis, synthesis of the report. Under his leadership, the Organic Agriculture Specialist will participate in the study, contribute to technical analysis of and provide inputs for organic agriculture production aspect.

Technical Focus

• The status of organic agriculture production and agro-ecotourism in Mekong Delta with special focus on Ca Mau province, which include comprehensive analysis of potential (production and market), comparative advantages, disadvantages, challenges of organic production, eco-tourism and integration of the two sectors;
• The implementation and gaps of the provincial organic agriculture production plan; and the roles and participation of private sector, farmers, research institutions and government in promotion of organic production and agro-ecotourism;
• Recommendations for the provincial tourism development plan, which is planned to be developed in 2021;
• Recommendations for promotion and development of organic agriculture (including gap filling to the provincial plan and implementation);
• Recommendations for scale-up and replication in other regions of Vietnam as a strategic measures for sustainable production and consumption in circular economy perspective.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Take lead and responsible for tourism part of the development of methodology, field survey plan and protocol;
• Lead and conduct literature review and field survey;
• Take key role in drafting, finalizing and quality assurance of the report;
• Make presentations at national/regional workshops if/when required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master degree in economics, business management, tourism or related discipline;
• Experience in tourism sector analysis, development, with a focus on sustainable/responsible/eco-tourism/community-based tourism;
• National of Vietnam or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Communication
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience with the Government of Viet Nam
• Extent and relevance of experience in agro-ecotourism and organic agriculture
• Knowledge in sustainable production and consumption, circular economy, value chain, local economic development, private sector engagement is advantageous;
• Proven experience in designing and leading field survey, data analysis, report writing, presentation is a must;

Good written and spoken language skills (both English and Vietnamese).

Selection Criteria:

• Relevant academic background;
• Relevant experience in local economic analysis with a focus on organic/sustainable agriculture;
• Relevant experience in one or more areas of development policy, integrated approach, sustainable production and consumption, circular economy, value chain, local economic development, private sector engagement;
• Extent of experience in research design, leading field research, data analysis, report writing, presentation;
• English skills