Head - Centre of Excellence - Hospitality

Organization: FEDERATION OF HOTEL & RESTAURANT ASSOCIATIONS OF INDIA

Job Title: HEAD - CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR TOURISM AND

HOSPITALITY (CETH)

Reports to: SECRETARY GENERAL

Location: NEW DELHI
Introduction:

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) is the apex body and the voice of the Indian Hospitality Industry, representing 60,000 Hotels and 5,00,000 Restaurants spanning the length & breadth of our vast country. Since its inception in 1955, FHRAI has been working closely with government & policy making bodies, playing a seminal role in growth of tourism and hospitality sector of India.

FHRAI was founded by the following Regional Associations representing four regions of the country:

- Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India (HRAEI)

- Hotel & Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI)

- South India Hotels & Restaurants Association of India (SIHRA)

- Hotel & Restaurants Association (Western India)

FHRAI is managed by the Executive Committee headed by the elected President having a tenure of one year. The Executive Committee comprises of members from the four Regional Associations. The day-to-day business of the Federation is conducted by the Secretariat headed by the Secretary General, under the direction of the Office Bearers.

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) is the apex body representing the hospitality industry in India. Recognizing the need for data-driven insights and research to fuel tourism excellence, FHRAI proposes to set up the FHRAI Centre of Excellence for Tourism and Hospitality (CETH), a dedicated research arm aimed at advancing knowledge, innovation, and excellence in the Indian tourism and hospitality sector. This initiative is designed to serve as a think tank, conducting cutting-edge research, disseminating insights, and driving positive transformation within the industry.

For more details on FHRAI, please refer to the website https://fhrai.com/

Reason for the hire:

FHRAI is looking to hire a Head - Centre of Excellence for Tourism and Hospitality (CETH) for anchoring the Research vertical of FHRAI. He/she would be responsible for leading research initiatives for Data collection and analysis, impact assessment, policy papers. This role involves starting and scaling up the Research Centre into a self-reliant entity equivalent to a Think Tank for the Tourism sector in India. The association is looking for a dynamic leader to develop research initiatives, including research papers, conferences, seminars, and collaborations with partners to share best practice and learnings.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Research

- Start and scale up the Research Centre into a self-reliant entity like that of a Think Tank.

- Coordinate research efforts of FHRAI undertaken from time to time with external experts and work under the guidance of these experts.

- Promote sustainable practices within the hospitality sector, encouraging environmentally conscious operations and responsible tourism.

- Coordinate the expertise of all relevant knowledge exchange and innovation activities, raising awareness of and harnessing relevant funding and partnership streams.

- Ensure improved data-driven decision-making in the Indian tourism industry.

- Under the guidance of the Secretary General, assist and steer the dissemination of knowledge created by FHRAI through various means.

- Take the lead in conducting field studies and document the learnings of the State partnership projects if any to provide help and solutions to the Ministry of Tourism to bring policy reforms, especially in the flagship schemes.

- Function as an information and advisory cell to provide adequate information to facilitate investment in Indian tourism & hospitality sector. Work very closely with the Ministry of Tourism for the Hospitality Industry reforms.

Capacity Building and other roles:

- Review half-yearly and annual financial and technical progress reports submitted by programme partners, and track work progress as per the agreed indicators for the future plan.

- Consolidate the annual technical and financial progress reports into overall annual progress reports for the Secretary General and the Board;

- Build a team, strategize the future pipeline of work and construct a Centre with full research capabilities.

- Ensure maintenance of and regularly update the project information and management system and ensure that it is responsive to programmatic needs;

- Organize forums and dialogues with policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to discuss research findings and advocate for evidence-based policies.

- Ensure strategic partnerships are built with International Associations as well as relevant UN bodies. Host national and international conferences that bring together experts and practitioners from tourism and hospitality to share knowledge and disseminate information.

COMPETENCIES & SOFT SKILLS:

- Strong documentation and report-writing skills

- Aptitude in problem-solving

- Desire to work as a team with a result-driven approach

EXPERIENCE:

Must Haves:

- Master's degree in relevant discipline.

- Ten to twelve years working in Research of large-scale projects with progressively increasing levels of responsibility.

- Demonstrated skills in rigorous quantitative and qualitative research and analytical methods.

- Proven experience in research/study design and implementation, including design and data analysis of quantitative and qualitative studies, rapid appraisals, etc.

- Excellent report writing, analytical, and communication skills, including oral presentation skills.

- Experience in knowledge management and dissemination of research findings.

- Experience in working with government and policy advocacy

Preferable:

- Knowledge and/or experience with the thought leadership and research landscape in which FHRAI operates.