UNDP Jobs

Malaysia’s development philosophy of growth with distribution adopted for the past three decades has resulted in a more balanced economic participation with a wider coverage of basic amenities to enable all segments of the population to have better opportunities to increased income and improved quality of life. There has been significant improvement in the eradication of poverty and the narrowing of income gap.

However, human development remains a significant challenge for certain segments of the population especially for the bottom 40% households that had a total household income of less than RM2300 in 2009. Different pockets of poverty especially among the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia and Bumiputera minorities in Sabah and Sarawak requires specific policy redresses. There are vulnerable sections of the population/society due to their low income and/or disadvantage circumstances i.e. female-headed households, youths and children. In addition, poverty and vulnerability are not only rural phenomena. Migration to urban areas and significant development of rural areas to become urban centres has resulted in an increased in urban poverty. Moreover, there is high and persistent inequality and disparity in the distribution of income.

In view of this, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with the Government of Malaysia is implementing a 19-month project to produce Malaysia’s 1st National Human Development Report (NHDR) focusing on national policy formulation and consensus building among national stakeholders on the issue of inclusive growth with clear linkages to priorities outlined in the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) and the New Economic Model (NEM).

Proposal should be submitted to: 

United Nations Development Programme,
Wisma UN, Kompleks Pejabat Damansara,
Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights,
50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Any request for clarification must be send in writing to rfp@undp.my
Please write the Project Code in your e-mail heading.

The deadline for submitting requests for clarification/questions is 28 June 2012.

Scope of Work:

The objective of the consultancy is to ensure the delivery of the following 2 outputs:

1. Output 1: Malaysia’s 1st National Human Development Report on “Inclusive Growth;”
2. Output 2: 3 Background Papers.

The core research team or the Technical Working Group (TWG) is comprised of a lead consultant (team leader), 2 national consultants, and 3 national research assistants who will work closely with UNDP, EPU and background paper authors to deliver on the outputs and activities listed above.

The national consultant will provide input into delivering the outputs above through desk reviews, purposive surveys, dialogues, focus group discussions, planned workshop and any other methodologies developed under the study in coordination with the team leader and the project manager. Specifically, the national consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Participate in the design of the research methodology and questionnaire for the study;
• Conduct an analysis of the outcome and outputs strategy (as per the scope of the programme document);
• Collate and review relevant data and documents;
• Conduct focus group discussions and purposive survey. This will include the recruitment (if necessary), training (if necessary) and supervision of enumerators (with the support of the project manager);
• Review key documents and background papers as well as conduct discussions with background paper authors; 
• Analyse the data collected and formulate recommendations based on the data;
• Present key findings in the stakeholder worshop and support the team leader in engagements with stakeholders and government counterparts;
• Write related parts of the chapter drafts, first full draft, external draft and final draft;
• Assist the Team leader in finalizing the final report through incorporating suggestions received on draft related to his/her assigned sections.
  

Methodology:

The consultancy will employ a participatory research methodology through a combined process of desk reviews, dialogues/discussions with stakeholders and background paper authors, purposive surveys, focus group discussions, planned workshops, and peer reviews.

Deliverables and Timeline:

The activities of the consultancy will be guided by the project document signed between UNDP and the Government of Malaysia and will involve the following deliverables:

1. Methodology and Draft Chapter Outline
2. Background Papers
3. First Full Draft
4. External Draft
5. Final Draft
6. Final Product
   

Terms of Payment:

Payments will be made to the consultants upon the delivery and acceptance of the outputs as identified as follows:

2012/2013 Payment Schedule

• Methodology & Detailed Chapter Outline 10%
• Background Papers 10%
• First Full Draft 20%
• External Draft 15%
• Final Draft 15%
• Final Product 30%

The payment will cover travel and operational expenses for the deliverable of the outputs.

• Substantive knowledge and extensive research experience in the analysis of poverty, inequality, social mobility, affirmative action and socio-economic development issues in Malaysia;
• Excellent analytical skills as demonstrated, for example, by prior experience in policy-oriented studies with a in-depth understanding of issues related to growth and development in Malaysia;
• Excellent computer skills (word processing and statistical data analysis) and demonstrated ability to analyze data using statistical and computer packages;
• Experience developing and conducting purposive surveys and extensive knowledge in analyzing national statistics.
• Some experience participating in policy dialogues and presenting in academic seminars;
• Prior experience of liaising with government organizations, civil society, private sectors and local communities;
• Ability to work independently with a strong sense of leadership, initiative, discipline and self-motivation.

Education:

• An advanced degree, preferably a Ph.D or equivalent in Economics or related disciplines (Development Economics, Development Studies, South-East Asian Studies, Development Sociology).
  

Experience:

• The national consultant should have considerable credibility and experience in the areas poverty and inequality and familiarity with the wider development issues in Malaysia. She/he should have at least 8 years of professional experience researching on socio-economic development issues in Malaysia.

Language Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to speak and write professionally in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
  

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Proposal/Letter of Interest (Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work)
2. Financial proposal – based on the deliverable and terms of payment, please provide a financial proposal.
3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.
4. Completed UN Personal History Form (P11) available at: http://www.undp.org.my/uploads/p11%20personal%20history%20form.doc
   

IMPORTANT NOTE:

All the documents above must be attached and uploaded as one document when you are asked to upload your CV/resume on the application website. UNDP Malaysia reserves the right to disqualify any incomplete submission.

Incomplete applications will NOT be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.