Expert for Development of Market Based Pricing Strategy for Croatian National and Nature Parks - Protected Area Management Specialist, Zagreb, Croatia

Expert for Development of Market Based Pricing Strategy for Croatian National and Nature Parks 

- Protected Area Management Specialist, Zagreb, Croatia

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Closing date: Thursday, 19 February 2015

http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=53659

Closing date: Thursday, 19 February 2015

EXPERT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MARKET BASED PRICING STRATEGY FOR CROATIAN NATIONAL AND NATURE PARKS - PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Location : Zagreb, CROATIA

Application Deadline : 19-Feb-15

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : National Consultant

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

01-Mar-2015

Duration of Initial Contract : 9 months

Expected Duration of Assignment : 9 months

Background

The PARCS project is organized and implemented into two components.

The first component (institutional component) of the project is focused on improving the current institutional framework of national protected areas in order to address its key systemic and institutional weaknesses (weak coordination, limited performance accountability, duplication of efforts, cost-inefficiencies and inequitable distribution of funds).

Under this component GEF funding will be used to: (Output 1.1) develop a national planning framework for protected areas, comprising an overarching long-term strategic plan, a medium-term financial plan and a set of operational policies and guidelines that will serve as a mechanism to better coordinate the invested efforts, and align the performance accountability, of the national protected area institutions (i.e. MENP, SINP and the 19 national protected area Public Institutions [PIs]); (Output 1.2) strengthen the financial management capacities of the institutions managing national protected areas in order to reduce cost-inefficiencies, improve revenues and develop mechanisms for revenue-sharing; (Output 1.3) support the establishment of a 'shared service center' (SSC) that will function as a centralized support service to individual parks - as a value-added system-based services for reducing duplication of efforts, and improving the cost-effectiveness in the national protected areas; and (Output 1.4) assess the efficacy of - over the longer term - establishing a single, rationalized 'park agency'.

The second component (financial component) of the project is focused on improving the financial sustainability of the national protected areas to ensure that they have adequate financial resources to cover the full costs of their management.

In this component, GEF funds will be used to: (Output 2.1) reduce the transaction costs of user pay systems in national protected areas by developing and testing alternative automated entry/user fee collection systems and piloting mooring fees as a means of collecting revenues for boat-based access to marine national protected areas; (Output 2.2) support the expansion and inter-linking of a number of isolated attractions/destinations in national protected areas into a more integrated tourism and recreational products in order to improve the visitor and/or user experience; and (Output 2.3) improve the productive efficiencies in national protected areas by: (i) identifying the mechanisms required to strengthen service standards, and improve economic efficiencies in the high-income generating national parks; and (ii) encouraging the adoption of more energy efficient technologies in national protected area in order to reduce the high recurrent costs of power supply.

Duties and Responsibilities

The general purpose of this TOR is engagement of Expert for development of market based pricing strategy for Croatian National and Nature Parks (further in text: protected area management specialist) which will provide technical and professional support services for the development of Market based pricing strategy for Croatian National parks (Brijuni, Kornati, Krka, Mljet, Paklenica, Plitvicka jezera, Risnjak, Sjeverni Velebit) and Nature parks (Biokovo, Kopacki rit, Lastovsko otocje, Lonjsko polje, Medvednica, Papuk, Tela�cica, Ucka, Vransko jezero, Velebit, Žumberak - Samoborsko gorje). Provision of these services will be performed as integral part of project Output 1.2 and Output 2.1.

The main objective of this support is introduction of a more market-based user fee structure that will ensure public institutions governing National and Nature parks (further in text: PIs) to have a clear framework that justifies the formulation of prices for offered goods and services, and that fees are more closely linked to the real costs of providing those goods and services and specific protected area characteristics.

The main task of protected area management specialist is development of the market-based pricing strategy for services and facilities provided in/by PIs including preparation of a common and standardized fee structure determination methodology and development of a new fee structure model based on smart card electronic ticketing system that will be introduced through PARCS project.

The objectives of pricing strategy have to include, at least: cost recovery; market rate; willingness to pay; re-investment in improving the facilities and their management; demand management and local community development. The development of pricing strategy and fee structure has to be done through a comprehensive internal and external consultation and participation process with all project stakeholders (MENP, PIs, State Institute for Nature Protection and other relevant participants e.g. local communities, tourism industry, etc.).

For details about duties, responsibilities, deliverables and timeframe please consult Terms of Reference.

Competencies

n/a

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced University degree (Protected area management, Economy, Tourism, Sustainable development or other relevant degree);
• Advanced University degree in Protected area management will be considered advantage;
• Substantive professional/technical skills and five years (5) of relevant experience;
• Experience in development of prising strategy and methodology (up to 3 references);
• Knowledge on visitor management models in protected areas and examples of world's best practice will be considered advantage;
• Working experience with the institutions and agencies in nature protection sector in Croatia will be considered advantage;
• Strong writing, presentation and reporting skills;
• Excellent, proven interpersonal, networking and team-building skills;
• Driving license, ability and willingness to travel.

Offer preparation

The expert that is applying for provision of the above services needs to submit

Application letter explaining motivation to apply and describing qualifications for the job (please refer to the Evaluation table that is attached to ToR);

• Curriculum Vitae;
• References - List of three persons not related to you who are familiar with your character and qualifications and who may be contacted by project team for a reference.
• For each reference contact provide: (i) full name, (ii) name of organization and business occupied, (iii) E-mail address and telephone number.
• Implementation plan (Description of proposed activities with detailed implementation steps and timeframe) that contains number of man/days that will be spent on activity implementation.

Only short-listed candidates will be invited fort the interview.

Upon interview, candidates will be asked to provide: Up to three supporting documents for references in development of prising strategy and methodology (written reports, studies, published articles or similar) in digital format or via post;

Financial offer that needs to include all expenses broken down in categories (e.g. men/days in line with defined implementation plan, travel cost, communication and similar) for details please consult Terms of Reference.

The evaluation criteria are attached for easy reference.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.