Term of Reference

Creation of a visitor science application for the Vallée de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site

Background

The project titled: “Establishment of a sustainable tourism management system for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Vallée de Mai” is a project funded by the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust. Its main objectives are to upgrade and advance the management and conservation of the world heritage site Vallée de Mai in Seychelles to enhance sustainable development. One of the activities focuses on the development of a visitor science app to improve the visitor experience and to assist with additional observations to enhance SIF’s monitoring. The app will allow visitors to record the location of any species or other observations they witness. Furthermore, it will deliver valuable data about visitor preferences and aggregations in the Vallée de Mai while enhancing the tour experience for the visitors through the introduction of high-quality information at hand. The additional information and background knowledge provided will enhance the visitor experience substantially while providing an interactive component to their visit which will integrate real time observations to SIF’s scientific monitoring programme. The new app will support the ultimate aim to sensitize visitors on the values of nature conservation and particularly island biodiversity.

During the project implementation, SIF plans to enhance visitors’ statistics and research data. Particularly sensitive and iconic species, such as the black parrot or the coco de mer (pictured with a tourist), as well as invasive alien species such as the yellow crazy ant might be impacted by visitors and their behaviour. Understanding these impacts is crucial for the management of sustainable tourism. Besides raising the awareness of the visitors, the collected information will allow for the re-route of visitor flow in particularly sensitive areas to avoid high and detrimental tourism activity whilst sustaining the fragile ecological balance in the forest. Interlinking sustainable tourism and scientific research will future-proof these natural sites, providing the crucial basis for the development of a sustainable tourism management system as well as understanding and applying the concept of carrying capacity in Vallée de Mai.

Expected outcomes

1. Enhanced visitor experience through the use of available visitor science application.
2. Fully programmed and functionable application readily available for download.
3. Fully comprehensive application components with the input of relevant guiding media (i.e., audio and video) that are accessible offline.
4. Efficient, easy to use application interfaces that enables staff to regularly maintain, update and store information and relevant data.
5. Increased interactive contribution from visitors to relevant research monitoring data.
6. Improved use of readily available communicative and media resources.
7. Increased understanding of visitor flow and impacts to the Vallée de Mai.

Specific Role

1. Programming phone application to assist digital site information and visitor information services, visitor statistical analysis and field research monitoring.
2. Design all application components/framework that will allow effective visitor-to-management interaction with the inclusion of available and relevant media provided.
3. Customise relevant modular features of the application to ensure maximum efficiency and means of visitor use of information.
4. Decide and implement performance monitoring and storage pathway(s) for the data recorded in the application.
5. Test, refine and launch the phone application, upon consultation of stakeholders.

Project deliverables

1. Monthly updates to SIF
2. Operational modular framework (i.e., widgets, lookups, rule actions, etc.)
3. Phone application fed with all relevant information and media components (end of month 3)
4. Draft phone application for trial and review (end of month 3)
5. Finalised phone application ready for use (end of month 5)
6. Final project report, including details and promotion of phone application, and upkeep plan (end of month 6)

Required qualifications and skills of candidate

1. Strong IT skills (required) app design (essential)
2. Experience in developing phone applications
3. Strong communication skills via email/skype/webinars (essential) and presentations (essential)
4. Local knowledge of Seychelles (desirable)
5. Excellent coordination and organisation skills and able to work to a deadline (essential).

Contractual arrangements

The service will be overseen by SIF’s Project Officer who will provide ongoing feedback throughout the project. The Head Office Project Officer will ensure that the above outputs are met in the agreed timeframe. SIF shall provide necessary support to the consultant in order to execute the assignment through the duration of the project.

Application procedure

Applicants are required to submit the following documents to Cheyenne Chang-Yunn (info@sif.sc) on or before 7th October 2022 along with the following:

1. A technical proposal: Letter of interest, stating why you consider your service suitable for the assignment and a brief methodology on the approach and implementation of the assignment.
2. Personal CVs of technical personnel proposed for this project highlight qualifications and experience based on the skill requirements above.
3. Work references.