Tourism Development Officer
Gunungsitoli, Nias Island, Indonesia
AVI has negotiated this assignment in good faith with the Host Organisation, and the information
contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request. However, while AVI takes
responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and arrangements are subject to
change due to the inherent low levels of predictability in developing country environments. This
assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances.
General Details
Assignment Title
Tourism Development Officer
Host Organisation
Yayasan Pusaka Nias (YPN) / Nias Heritage Foundation
Website of Host Organisation
http://www.museum.pusaka-nias.org/
Duration of Assignment
24 months
Start Date
22nd June 2015
Pre-departure Briefing Date
25-27th March 2015
AVI Assignment Code
10533291
Australian Partner Organisation
N/A
Host Organisation Overview
Since its inauguration in 1991, the Nias Heritage Foundation/ Yayasan Pusaka Nias (YPN) has
broadened its activities to include environmental awareness as well as education, research, and
tourism in its agenda. YPN believes that reduction of poverty on Nias will benefit both cultural heritage
and the environment on Nias.
The main mission of YPN is to manage and operate a museum and cultural centre for preservation of
both the tangible and the intangible cultural heritage of Nias. Primarily, the main beneficiaries are the
Nias community. Visitors to Nias, both national and international, will also benefit from the activities of
YPN.
YPN have 43 staff including both admin and museum staff; 13 permanent, 6 contract, 14 part-time, 10
carpenters.
YPN’s main acitivities are;
 Protection and preservation of Nias Cultural Heritage; both tangible and intangible.
 Research; primarily related to cultural heritage but also other areas beneficial to increased
knowledge about Nias.
 Promotion of environmental awareness on Nias.
 Promotion and development of tourism on Nias; primarily cultural heritage tourism, but also tourism
in general (as a tool for poverty-reduction).
 Support of organisations and projects beneficial for Nias.
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Volunteers will be provided with a desk in the YPN office, located on the Museum grounds. Volunteers
may have to provide their own internet connection (for example by using their phones as tethering
device).
Assignment Overview
There is currently very little economic activity on Nias Island besides agriculture and fishing. Compared
to the rest of Indonesia, Nias is lagging behind in almost every area. Sustainable tourism is recognised
as a very real opportunity for economic development by the local governments and community. Today
Nias receives only a handful of tourists, most of them surfers heading for the south. With a few
exceptions the rest of the island receives next to no tourists, despite having all the components of a
classic tropical island holiday destination.
With this is mind there is a strong argument to make a real effort at developing sustainable tourism on
Nias as a tool for poverty alleviation. All five regencies on Nias have declared tourism development to
be the best opportunity for economic development on the Island. The national government of Indonesia
is also in agreement and the ministry of tourism are supporting various projects on Nias. But the
capacity of local organisations and civil servants is lacking, and most attempts of tourism promotion
and development have been misguided or ineffective. There is no organisation currently working
toward island wide coordination of tourism promotion.
Yayasan Pusaka Nias is ideally placed to coordinate tourism development and promotion. A by-product
of increased tourism on Nias is greater interest in cultural heritage, which is the core activity of YPN.
For this reason YPN would greatly benefit from assistance of an international tourism professional. It
would also be the first time that someone worked to coordinate tourism development and promotion for
all of Nias. Through the museum many projects and organisations involved in tourism would also
benefit from this assignment.
Sustainable tourism plays an important part in cultural heritage preservation. At the moment tourism on
Nias is all but non-existent apart from a few surf locations. By promoting and diversifying tourism
across Nias we believe that the motivation to preserve cultural heritage will increase. Economic
development resulting from tourism can improve local interest and ability to fund preservation of cultural
heritage.
YPN is an AVI new partner organisation. This application will be one of first two put forward for
consideration. AVI has placed four volunteers in the region of North Nias and Gunungsitoli city since
2012. Currently, one volunteer is working at the Education Department of North Nias as an ESL
Teachers Trainer, two volunteers at the Department of Tourism, one volunteer at the Department of
Agriculture and one volunteer working at PKPA Nias in Gunungsitoli city.
The assignment meets the Australia-Indonesia Partnership-CS pillar 2, investing in people - to
improved education quality, access and governance. MDG 8 Developing a Global Partnership for
Development.
Assignment Objectives
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To promote and develop sustainable tourism as a tool for poverty alleviation on Nias Island;
To increase local community awareness of tourism opportunities.
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Duties and Responsibilities of the Volunteer
In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, volunteers complete a work plan in
the first three months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the type of work that
may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:
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Survey and assessment of potential tourism sites and activities on Nias Island.
Compile tourism site survey data and share information with relevant stakeholders.
Raise the profile of Nias Island as a tourism destination through web and social media.
Conduct tourism and media capacity building for YPN and tourism stake holders.
Assist relevant stake holders (YPN, private and government) with tourism projects.
Create tourism resource database for YPN to be available for all of Nias.
Assignment Information
Line Manager
Director of YPN
Staff supervision
The volunteer will not be responsible for the line management of other staff but will coordinate and
provide support and mentoring to all staff as required.
The volunteer will strive to build strong relationships with all staff within their workplace.
Hours & Days of employment
From 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday.
The expectation is that the volunteer will work the equivalent of a 5 day week to a maximum of 40
hours per week.
Leave entitlements
Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays. However, as a
minimum, volunteers will accrue 1 week of leave for each 3 months of work.
Other Conditions
Out of hours work may be required: If the organisation is hosting an event or guests.
Travel required: Within Nias to look at potential tourist sites.
Language skill and level required
Ability to converse about non-technical matters.
Language support
The volunteer will receive one month intensive language training prior to commencing their assignment.
The volunteer also can apply for further language training support up to a maximum of AUD 400.
Living as a Volunteer
YPN and the museum compound is located in the north part of Gunungsitoli city. The office has
electricity, shared office equipment and toilets. There is a café serving snacks and standard Indonesian
fare on the premises. Facilities at YPN are good for Nias standards and the museum compound is well
maintained. The popular cities of Medan and Sibolga are around one hour flight from Gunungsitoli.
These cities are known as a retreat for isolated people of Nias island even though they themselves are
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becoming increasingly busy and crowded.
Isolated yet worldly, the Nias Island chain has been trading since prehistory with other cultures, other
islands, and even mainland Asia. Some historians and archaeologists have cited the local culture as
one of the few remaining Megalithic cultures in existence today. While this point of view is hotly
debated, there is no doubt that Nias' relative geographic isolation has created a unique culture. As a
culture of traders, the people of Nias find tourists to be a welcome – and historically familiar –
phenomenon.
Nias is best known for its diversity of festivals and celebration. The most well-known events are War
Dances, performed regularly for tourists, and Stone Jumping, a manhood ritual that sees young men
leaping over two meter stone towers to their fate. In the past the top of the stone board were covered
with spikes and sharp pointed bamboo. The music of Nias, performed mostly by women, is noted
worldwide for its haunting beauty.
Nias has been left behind, in regard to investment and development, compared to main land Sumatra.
So, despite the reasonably large population (around 700,000) there is little infrastructure support to
Nias. There is one main road running from the capital, Gunungsitoli, north and south along the east
coast. While this is an excellent, all season, all weather road, little other road infrastructure exists.
Fishing and agriculture are the primary incoming generating activities on the Island. Agricultural
activities focus on the cultivation of coffee and chocolate as well as rubber plantations on small private
land holdings.
The population of Nias is around 80% Christian/Catholic and 20% Muslim. Most of the Muslim
communities are located around the coast with the Christian communities. There are only a few other
westerners living on the island and therefore amenities/facilities/products aimed at westerners or
wealthier Indonesians found in larger cities are not available in Nias. The local diet is primarily made up
of rice, fish and vegetables. Pork is occasionally served for special occasions. Bread and dairy
products are not commonly found. Nias is still very much untouched by large scale mechanised
agriculture.
Medan as the capital city of North Sumatera offers every kind of recreational activity you would expect
to find in a capital city anywhere in the world included huge shopping malls, cinemas, museums, art
galleries, coffee shops, bars and restaurants serving foods from every corner of the globe. As with
many large Asian cities most activities are in-door and for those that enjoy they out-door life they will
have to travel away from the city. The concentration of wealth and political influence in the city means
that it has much more noticeable foreign influence on its landscape and culture, an effect illustrated by
the presence in the city of many major international fast-food chains, for example.
The volunteer will most likely attract considerable positive attention at all times. As most people are
extremely friendly, this is of little concern for the volunteer, but it does mean that the volunteer, as an
example of Australian culture and values, must endeavour to ensure that he or she is setting a good
example at all times.
There is a limited of local transportation options in Nias Island. Many volunteers based in North Nias
and Gunungsitoli city chose to purchase a motorcycle. This is a personal choice rather than an
absolute necessity. A motorcycle could be purchased for between IDR 8-10 million or AUD 800-1000
and sold at the end of the assignment for a similar amount. The fuel price is IDR 6,500 / litre or AUD
0.65 / litre.
Mobile phone communication through GSM and CDMA are very good, while internet access is
available. Skype is a good alternative to communicate with family and friends. Phone & SMS cost is
depend on the calling time and location. For further info for TELKOMSEL http://www.telkomsel.com/tarif-simpati
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Other Requirements
Selection Criteria
Please begin by writing your responses to the following three questions, in a document headed Response to Selection Criteria:
a. Why do I feel that volunteering overseas is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?
(up to half a page)
b. What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful
colleague and engaged community member in this assignment? (up to half a page)
c. How do I match the Essential Skills & Experience: Write a brief summary of your most relevant
experiences, results and achievements responding to each criteria in the Essential Skills & Experience
section of the Assignment Description
Please click here for more details about preparing your application.
Please click here to learn more about the personal competencies required to be a volunteer.
Personal Circumstances Constraints
We are NOT able to accept applications from people with the following personal circumstances due to
security, cultural, legal or visa restrictions in this location.
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Applicants with criminal offences
First–Aid Competency
Apply First Aid Certificate (HLTFA 311A) or equivalent course dated within 3 years of the start date of
the assignment.
Qualifications
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Relevant tertiary, professional or technical qualifications and/or certification or equivalent work
experience
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Proven background as a workplace trainer
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Record of continuous professional development in the field of tourism
Essential Skills & Experience
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Relevant professional experience in tourism development and promotion.
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Media skills; photography, social media and web development.
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Experience of working and living in a similar context in Indonesia.
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Applied knowledge and experience of tourism suitable for Nias (3S tourism) and cultural heritage
tourism.
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Demonstrated success in building the skills of others through formal and/or informal training and
mentoring.
Desirable Skills & Experience
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Indonesian language skills.
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Applied experience and knowledge about Nias Island.
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Experience living and working in isolated communities.
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Allowances & Support
These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in country. They will be reviewed periodically
and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of any change to the allowance level.
Living Allowance
AVI
Accommodation Allowance
AUD 700.00 / month
AVI
AUD 300.00 / month
Housing
The volunteer will need to find their own accommodation once they have arrived at assignment. There
is a limited range of accommodation options in the area. Private houses are currently popular with
many volunteers. The volunteer will need to rely on the support of the Host Organisation and current
volunteers in the area to identify appropriate accommodation. Most rented accommodation come
unfurnished.
There is a limited of power (electricity) in the area, and applicants should not expect to have many of
the electrical appliances they may be used to.
AVI will advance the Accommodation Allowance for a 12 month period as rent in Indonesia is generally
paid 12 months in advance rather than monthly.
Other Allowances & Support
All AVID Volunteers receive the following:
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Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne
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In-country Orientation on arrival
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Pre-departure vaccination expenses
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Visa expenses
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Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance
•
Return airfare to country of assignment
•
Psychological and medical advice and support services
•
Re-entry Support services
•
Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
•
Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
How to Apply
Should you wish to apply for this position please visit www.australianvolunteers.com.
Select the assignment you are interested in and follow the prompts at the end of the page.
This assignment is part of the Australian Volunteers for International
Development program, an Australian Government initiative.
www.australianaidvolunteers.gov.au/
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