Background

Green Technology Application for the development of Low Carbon Cities (GTALCC) project is to support Malaysia’s aspiration of promoting low carbon development in the cities (hence low carbon cities), reduce carbon emissions in the city envelop and eventually contribute towards the national commitment as pledge by the Prime Minister during the COP15 where Malaysia is committed to reducing up to 40% of GHGs in terms of emission intensity by GDP by the year 2020 (compared to 2005 levels) conditional upon financing and transfer of technology by the developed countries.  GTALCC aspires to achieve the following outcomes by the end of the 5-year project period:

• Major cities implemented and adopted integrated low carbon urban development plans and /or programs;
• Expedient appraisal, approval and implementation of strategic urban development plans/program and projects related to the wide spread development of low carbon cities;
• Major cities are aware of, and are planning and implementing low carbon technology applications for integrated urban development;
• Increased investment in low carbon technology applications in cities;
• More low carbon urban infrastructure projects implemented in Malaysian cities.

The proposed project is in line with the GEF 5 Strategic Objective CCM 4 on the promotion of energy efficient low carbon transport and urban systems. It consists of interventions across cities in Malaysia to facilitate the implementation of low carbon initiatives and showcase a clear and integrated approach of successful low carbon city development.  In general, cities are a key contributor of GHG emissions with an estimated 70% of the world’s energy related emissions. In Malaysia, more than half of total emissions are related to urban spaces—specifically, electricity (up to 26% of the emissions), transportation (16%) and solid waste (12%). Recognizing that cities are natural partners to chart a low carbon growth path the Government of Malaysia has recently launched the Low Carbon Cities Framework and Assessment (LCCF). The objective is to achieve sustainable development, reduce carbon emissions of the cities and contribute towards the national commitment of reducing up to 40% of GHGs in terms of emission intensity by GDP by the year 2020 compared to 2005 levels.  Currently, several low carbon city initiatives which explicitly target low carbon development are at various stages of development at the national and subnational levels. However, the initiatives are developing in a rather fragmented manner without a common shared vision, integrated approach to low carbon development, agreed definitions or well accepted methodologies and standards.

As such, a full scale project is proposed in the PIF, which focuses on the removal of barriers pertaining to policy and regulatory; financing issues; awareness, technical and institutional capacity through the three (3) components:

• Component 1: Policy support for the promotion of integrated low carbon urban development;
• Component 2: Awareness and institutional capacity development;
• Component 3: Low carbon technology investments in cities.

The GTALCC PIF document, Review Sheet and STAP review document can be downloaded from the following web link:  http://www.thegef.org/gef/project_detail?projID=5329.

Information on the UNDP and GEF Monitoring and Evaluation process and experience from other countries can be referred to the Evaluation Resource Center at the following web link http://erc.undp.org .

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

There is a need to strengthen financial and technical support to cities in Malaysia if a low carbon development pathway is to be achieved.  Compared to the national and state governments, city governments have relatively few financing options available to meet the investments needed for a low carbon transition. They also often lack appropriate incentive structures to attract private sector investments in low carbon urban infrastructure .
 
The Financing Consultant is needed to conduct a detailed market review / assessemnt in selected states/cities to gain an understanding of the financing needs and opportunities for low carbon development in the urban sector in Malaysia. The consultant will assess, identify and propose options for innovative financing and incentive schemes (e.g. tax rebates, carbon banking schemes etc) to support the sustainable scaling up of low carbon urban development. Market based mechanisms and economic incentive schemes may provide sustainable approaches to alternative financing paradigms that focus explicitly in facilitating low-carbon cities solutions. Therefore, early lessons from international best practices shall be closely investigated. Furthermore, Malaysia’s experience in financing energy projects[1] and carbon finance may provide a basis to design and operate future approaches to finance urban development projects. A detailed investigation shall be conducted to identify the most feasible financing and incentive mechanisms that are tailored to the local context.
 
The review will identify and assess the key sovereign and non-sovereign players in the market, including the available products and services; and analyse the competitive environment and the barriers to investments to achieve low carbon development. In addition, the study will identify and recommend (i) potential project participants (both financial and non-financial) and (ii) high creditworthy and engaged proponents and low carbon projects that could potentially be developed on a pilot basis; and (iii) propose feasible design options for financing and incentive mechanisms.
 
Expected Outputs:

The overall objective of the assignment is to assist the team leader and local consultant in providing key inputs related to financing low carbon projects in the preparation of the GTALCC Project Document. The consultant is expected to produce the following outputs:

• Review the current legal and institutional framework and the relevant actors/stakeholders for financing and incentivising low carbon projects by non-sovereign entities/utilities or state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and by state and city governments in the selected states/cities;
• Identify and review the barriers and opportunities to financing and incentivising low carbon investments for local governments, regional authorities, urban infrastructure entities/utilities or SOEs, and communities and SMEs, in the target cities;
• Prepare a list of the potential low carbon projects/products/services being developed by the actors identified in (ii) above. Undertake an assessment of the financing and capacity building required  to meet their investment goals;
• Based on the assessment in (iii), recommend a strategy for the GTALCC project to engage these potential state and non-state partners who may be interested in (a) investing in low carbon city development; (b) investigating and performing due diligence in identifying bankable low carbon projects; and (c) supporting the expansion of low carbon development in Malaysia’s cities including identifying areas where the GTALCC project can provide a significant impact on innovative financing and incentive mechanisms;
• Other related tasks as suggested by the lead consultant.

Methodology:

The consultant will report to the Lead consultant of the GTALCC Preparation under the guidance of UNDP Malaysia.  The methodology includes data collection, desk research, simulation, interviews, meetings and field visits with the relevant stakeholders, third party verifications, consultants and discussions with other relevant stakeholders. Applicants are encouraged to propose their methodology during the time of submitting their applications.

Expected Outputs:

Key deliverables will be:

• An initial inception report within one (1) week of commences of the assignment. The inception report / workplan will provide a summary of the meetings with concerned national, state and city government ministries/agencies, an assessment of data availability and a draft outline of the final report;
• A draft final report will be submitted by  Week 3 or any date to be agreed upon by the Lead Consultant and UNDP for comment;
• A final report will be submitted within 2 weeks of receiving comments.

Duration:

The consultancy is expected to take place from 1 June 2014 to 30 June 2014 (1 month). 

Deliverables and Timelines:

The consultant will be responsible for the delivery, content, technical quality and accuracy of the report. It is expected that all deliverables to be finalized by the Lead Consultant of the GTALCC preparation phase before final submission to UNDP Malaysia for verification and approval.

Terms of Payments:

The fee is payable upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of the deliverables as in Annex 1.  Please download the Evaluation Criteria and Financial Proposal Template at http://www.undp.org.my/files/editor_files/files/MyIC_2014_023%20Evaluation%20Criteria%20and%20Financial%20Proposal%20Template.docx

Documents to be included when submitting the Proposals:

Interested individuals 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 as provided;
• Personal CV including areas of expertise and past experience in similiar projects and at least three (3) references in the format of UN Personal History Form (P11 form). The UN Personal History Fprm (P11) is available at http://www.undp.org.my/files/editor_files/files/P11-2012.doc

Important Note:

Please scan all the documents mentioned above and save into one (1) PDF format file and upload it when you are asked to upload your CV/resume on the application website. UNDP Malaysia reserves the right to disqualify any incomplete submission. Please kindly make sure that you have provided all the requested materials.

Any request for clarification must be send in writing to procurement.my@undp.org

Please write the project reference - MyIC/2014/023 in your email heading.

The deadline for submitting request for clarification/questions is 24 May 2014.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP, and partner organizations;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent knowledge of infrastructure planning and financing at the city level;
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude,

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to apply peer reviewer guideline production procedures;
• Ability to analyze technical requirements in energy efficiency and energy management applications;
• Strong analytical skills.

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Supports teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education Requirement:

• Masters or equivalent advanced degree in economics, finance, public sector or related fields.  Bachelor’s degree with more than 7 years of experience can be considered in lieu of the Master’s degree.

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years experience in the financial sector;
• Experience in municipal/structural finance, infrastructure financing in the cities/township, including policy and legal analysis in the Malaysia’s context will be added advantage;
• Experience working with public and private investment agencies or urban systems developers in Malaysia, is an added advantage;
• Experience in climate change mitigation, low carbon development and climate financing approaches is an added advantage.

Language Requirement

• Must be proficient in English;
• Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia will be an added advantage.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applicants will be treated with the strictest confidence.