Consultant (Community/Eco-Tourism Specialist for Kithul Tourism Product Development)
Hotel / Hospitality / Tourism / Leisure
About the Employer
Job Description
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT – COMMUNITY/ECO-TOURISM SPECIALIST
Kithul Tourism Product Development
GEF-7 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Land Management Project
Janathakshan (Gte) Ltd, under the Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Land Management Project, invites applications from qualified and experienced individual consultants to support the development of a community-based eco-tourism product centered on the Kithul value chain in Nominated Estate and surrounding communities in Deniyaya.
The assignment aims to transform the existing Kithul Value Chain Development initiative into a market-ready tourism experience that generates sustainable income opportunities for kithul tapper families while promoting the conservation of kithul palms and their forest habitats.
Assignment Title
- Individual Consultant – Community/Eco-Tourism Specialist for Kithul Tourism Product Development
Location: Deniyaya, Matara
Duration: Three (03) months (01 September 2026 – 30 November 2026)
Level of Effort: Approximately 30–35 working days
Scope of the Assignment
- Review the existing Kithul Tourism Program Concept and conduct a site assessment.
- Facilitate consultations with kithul tapper families and estate staff.
- Refine and finalize tourism packages, visitor experiences, safety protocols, and pricing models.
- Develop practical training materials and curricula.
- Deliver training programmes for tapper families, women's groups, youth guides, and estate staff.
- Design and facilitate familiarization (FAM) tours and gather visitor feedback.
- Provide recommendations on SLTDA registration, tour operator engagement, and marketing strategies.
- Prepare reports and implementation roadmaps to support the commercial launch of the Kithul Tourism Program.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- A degree in Tourism, Hospitality Management, Rural Development, Agribusiness, Environmental Management, or a related field.
- Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
Experience
- Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in community-based tourism, eco-tourism, agri-tourism, or rural tourism product development.
- Demonstrated experience in training and capacity building for rural communities, smallholder producer groups, or micro-enterprises.
- Experience working with agricultural, forestry, or value-chain development initiatives will be an advantage.
- Familiarity with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) requirements and tourism sector partnerships will be advantageous.
- Previous experience with donor-funded or NGO livelihood and conservation projects will be an advantage.
Skills
- Strong facilitation, training, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to work effectively with communities having diverse literacy and educational backgrounds.
- Excellent report-writing and communication skills.
- Fluency in English and working proficiency in Sinhala.
Submission Requirements
- A Technical Proposal (maximum 5 pages) demonstrating the understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and indicative work plan.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting relevant qualifications and experience, including two referees.
- A list of eco-tourism or community tourism products developed, indicating the applicant's specific role.
- A Financial Proposal (lump-sum in LKR) clearly itemizing professional fees and any travel or other costs proposed to be covered by the consultant.
- Availability during September–November 2026.
- The complete Terms of Reference (TOR) for this consultancy can be accessed at: TOR_Kithul_Tourism_Consultant.docx
Evaluation Criteria
- Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Relevant experience in community-based and eco-tourism product development – 25%
- Experience designing and delivering training programmes – 20%
- Experience in agri-tourism, nature-based tourism, or value-chain-related tourism products – 20%
- Quality of technical proposal and methodology – 20%
- Financial proposal and cost-effectiveness – 15%
How to Apply
Please submit the required documents via email to: [email protected]
Email Subject: Kithul Tourism Consultant
Application Deadline: 18 September 2026
For further information regarding this consultancy, please contact:
Pradeep Ranga Kumara
Procurement Focal Point
Janathakshan (Gte) Ltd
Tel: 077 335 3464
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
