Research and Policy Advisory Work on Tourism Development and Promotion in Sierra Leone

International Growth Centre

Call for Proposals: Short-Term Research and Policy Advisory Work on Tourism Development and Promotion in Sierra Leone

The International Growth Centre (IGC) is issuing a call for proposals to do research and policy advisory work, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, on tourism development and promotion in Sierra Leone. Two persons are needed for this project. Joint proposals from two authors will be acceptable. The output of the research will be a paper prepared for the Sierra Leone authorities that will, in addition, be presented in a workshop of stakeholders later in the year.

The IGC is funded by the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) and is directed and organized from hubs at the London School of Economics and Oxford University. The Sierra Leone Country Program (SLCP) was established in 2010.

The IGC-Sierra Leone Country Program’s objective is to promote sustainable growth in Sierra Leone by providing policy advice based on frontier economics to address issues of major concern to the authorities in promoting economic development and transformation of the Sierra Leone economy. The SLCP is intended to fill knowledge gaps and support capacity building in policymaking in Sierra Leone.

In this light, IGC will, in cooperation with others, work to develop ideas for a comprehensive reform plan of the Sierra Leone government for tourism development and promotion. The proposed research and policy advisory work should include the following areas.

• The current institutional and organizational arrangements for tourism development and promotion in Sierra Leone.

• The challenges facing Sierra Leone in tourism development—challenges such as human capital; infrastructure; institutions, public policy and regulations; and public awareness of the nature of tourism potential in Sierra Leone and the importance to the economy.

• Promoting cooperation and joint action involving the public and privatesectors, for tourism development and promotion.

• Other actions by both the public and private sectors to further progress toward realizing Sierra Leone’s potential in tourism as a major service export.

Proposals should be submitted electronically to oegjohnson@aol.com and k.el-beyrouty@lse.ac.ukby July 31, 2012. Applicants should include curriculum vitae. Demonstrated ability to do high-quality research in relevant areas will be of enormous advantage. The research and advisory paper is expected to be completed in about three months.