Background

Available evidence and the decisions adopted by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) indicate that a significant gap remains in finance for biodiversity management, for countries to drastically scale up their efforts and achieve the 20 Aichi Targets defined in the CBD’s Strategic Plan for 2011-2020. A preliminary assessment recently conducted under the auspices of the High-level Panel on Global Assessment of Resources for Implementing the CBD Strategic Plan estimated that the global investment required ranges between 130 and 440 billion US$ annually. While useful, this and similar other global estimates are based on extrapolations sensitive to the underlying assumptions. To define biodiversity finance needs and gaps with greater precision and determine related challenges and opportunities for resource mobilisation, detailed national-level (bottom-up) assessments are therefore required.

 In this context, UNDP in October 2012 launched the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), as a new global partnership seeking to address the biodiversity finance challenge in a comprehensive manner – building a sound business case for increased investment in the management of ecosystems and biodiversity, with a particular focus on the needs and transformational opportunities at the national level. As of January 2014, the countries participating in BIOFIN are Botswana, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Peru, Philippines, Seychelles, South Africa and Uganda; seven additional countries are in the process of being selected.

BIOFIN works along two main axes: (1) the globally-led development of a new methodological framework (BIOFIN Workbook); and (2) the adaptation and implementation of this new methodological framework at national level, which includes analysing the integration of biodiversity and ecosystem services in sectoral and development policy, planning and budgeting, assessing future financing flows, needs and gaps for managing and conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services, developing a comprehensive national Resource Mobilisation Strategy to meet the biodiversity finance gap; and initiating implementation of the Resource Mobilisation Strategy at national level.

In Malaysia the project works closely with National Focal Point, Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department. The immediate focus will be on priority biodiversity and ecosystem services such as water resources, protected areas, etc. that can be incorporated in the upcoming 5-year national development plan – 11th Malaysia Plan Thrust 4 Mainstreaming Environmental Management and Natural Resource, currently being prepared by the Economic Planning Unit. In addition, the project results will also feed into the revision of the National Policy on Biological Diversity Malaysia and development of the Resource Mobilization Strategy to implement the revised policy.

BIOFIN project information and BIOFIN Workbook can be accessed on UNDP Malaysia Country Office website at: http://www.undp.org.my/page.php?pid=204&menu=sub&title=Environment_and_Energy or http://www.undp.org.my/files/editor_files/files/MyIC_2014_019_BIOFIN%20Workbook.pdf.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of this assignment is to engage a Senior Public Finance Expert/Lead Consultant to lead a team of national BIOFIN experts that include Policy and Institutional Expert, Environmental Economics and Finance Analyst, and to provide specific technical expertise to the delivery of the Public and Private Expenditure Review and the public finance elements of the Strategy for Mobilizing Public and Private Resources, in addition to outreach activities to national and relevant international stakeholders, and the preparation of press releases and briefing notes for Government, UNDP etc.

The Senior Public Finance Expert/Lead Consultant will work under the guidance of Economic Planning Unit, Ministry of Finance and UNDP.

He/she will undertake the following tasks:

Provision of expertise and knowledge in the public and private expenditure review for priority biodiversity and ecosystem services:

• Facilitate and provide technical inputs in the national BIOFIN conference and stakeholder consultation workshops;
  
• Complete the BIOFIN Workbook Part I: 1C;
• Provide feedback on the BIOFIN methodology including the assessment frameworks (workbook);
• Prepare a report on the Public and Private Expenditure Review;

Provision of expert knowledge in the financial planning of the 11th Malaysia Plan and the revised National Policy on Biological Diversity:

• Facilitate and provide technical inputs in the stakeholder consultation workshops or meetings;
• Complete the BIOFIN Workbook Part II: 2A and 2B;
• Complete the BIOFIN Workbook Part III: Strategy for Mobilising Public and Private Resources and integrates with private finance section;
• Prepare a standalone report.

Provision of technical expertise in the preparation of final project synthesis report:

• Provide technical support and overall coordination to the national BIOFIN team to complete BIOFIN deliverables in a consistent manner, provide quality assurance of national products;
• Prepare and finalise Project Synthesis Report (with recommendations to government) and Summary for Policy Makers;

Methodology:

The consultant will use the BIOFIN Workbook and employ a number of investigative, analytical and consultative methods and tools to complete his/her tasks:

• Data collection from public domains and official documents including policies and plans, annual financial reports, etc;
• Desktop research • Interviews with key stakeholders (ministries/departments/agencies, owner and beneficiaries of initiatives/programmes);
• Stakeholder consultations through focus group or ad-hoc meetings, and 11MP consultation mechanism which is Inter-agency Planning Group (IAPG) and Technical Working Group (TWG) for Disaster Risk Management meetings.
• Facilitate workshop or write shop for focus group or TWG to prepare the BIOFIN Workbook.

Handling of Data, Information and Documents

All data, information and documents obtained under this assignment is the property of the Government of Malaysia and be treated as strictly confidential.

No such information shall be used by the expert for any other purpose other than the preparation of BIOFIN project deliverables.

All soft and hard copies of the data, information and documents must be returned to the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department, Ministry of Finance and UNDP upon completion of this assignment.

Duration:

The assignment will require 5 working months (= 110 working-days) starting from 9 June 2014 to 8 June 2015.

Deliverables and Timeline:

Submission and acceptance of detailed work plan (Within 7 working days from the date of contract);

Provision of expertise and knowledge in the public and private expenditure review for priority biodiversity and ecosystem services:

• Facilitate and provide technical inputs in the national BIOFIN conference and stakeholder consultation workshops - (9 June - 31 August 2014);
  
• Complete the BIOFIN Workbook Part I: 1C - (by 31 August 2014);
  
• Provide feedback on the BIOFIN methodology including the assessment frameworks (workbook) - (9 June - 31 December 2014);
  
• Prepare a report on the Public and Private Expenditure Review - (15 September 2014).

Provision of expert knowledge in the financial planning of the 11th Malaysia Plan and the revised National Policy on Biological Diversity:

• Facilitate and provide technical inputs in the stakeholder consultation workshops or meetings - (1 September - 31 December 2014);
  
• Complete the BIOFIN Workbook Part II: 2A and 2B - (By 31 December 2014);
  
• Complete the BIOFIN Workbook Part III: Strategy for Mobilising Public and Private Resources and integrates with private finance section - (By 15 February 2015);
  
• Prepare a standalone report. (By 1 March 2015).

Provision of technical expertise in the preparation of final project synthesis report:

• Provide technical support and overall coordination to the national BIOFIN team to complete BIOFIN deliverables in a consistent manner, provide quality assurance of national products - (1 January - 31 March 2015)
  
• Prepare and finalise Project Synthesis Report (with recommendations to government) and Summary for Policy Makers - (By 1 April 2015).

Terms of Payment:

The contract and payments will be performance-based and regularly assessed by the UNDP Malaysia Country Office and BIOFIN Central Technical Unit.

• 20% upon submission and acceptance of detailed work plan by UNDP Malaysia Country Office in consultation with Global BIOFIN team;
• 30% upon submission and acceptance of the completed BIOFIN Workbook Part 1C and the report on public and private expenditure review by UNDP Malaysia Country Office in consultation with Global BIOFIN team;
• 30% upon submission and acceptance of completed BIOFIN Workbook Part II and Part III, and the standalone report by UNDP Malaysia Country Office in consultation with Global BIOFIN team;
• 20% upon submission and acceptance of final project synthesis report by UNDP Malaysia Country Office in consultation with Global BIOFIN team;

Documents to be included when submitting proposals:

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

• Proposal on how your qualifications and experience can lead towards the successful deliverable of this assignment within the required timeframe, and provide a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the assignment;
  
• Financial Proposal should specify a total lump sum amount including a breakdown of working days, travel and relevant costs using the financial proposal template in Annex I via http://www.undp.org.my/files/editor_files/files/MyIC_2014_019_Financial%20Proposal%20Template.docx
  
• Personal CV including areas of expertise and past experience in similar projects and at least three (3) references in the format of UN Personal History Form (P11 form). The UN Personal History Form (P11) is available at: http://www.undp.org.my/uploads/p11%20personal%20history%20form.doc.

Important note:

Scan all the above documents into 1 (one) pdf. file and upload it.

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing to procurement.my@undp.org. Please write the Project reference "MyIC/2014/019" in your e-mail heading. The deadline for submitting requests for clarification/question is 2 May 2014.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates high moral integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
  

Functional competencies:

• Excellent organizational skills.
  
• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills.
• Excellent financial and budgetary skills.
• Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations.
• Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
• Strong motivation and ability to work and deliver under short deadlines.
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback.
• Able to work independently with little or no supervision.
  
• Familiarity with government strongly desired.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced degree in public finance, economics or related discipline;
• First degree in finance, economics or related disciplines with minimum 15 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience in public finance or management, preferably at senior level in the Ministry of Finance or Economic Planning Unit, Malaysia;
• Extensive experience in public expenditure reviews;
• Excellent knowledge of policy, legislations and institutions relevant to public budgetary and expenditure management in Malaysia is essential;
• Experience in dealing with government agencies and international organizations;
• Exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity desirable but not required

Language:

• Excellent command of English and Malay.

This assignment is open to Malaysian Nationals only.