Background
At the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals, 2016 - 2020 (SDGs). The SDGs (2015 -2030) builds on the Millennium Development Goals, 2000 - 2014 (MDGs), but with a broader transformative agenda and covering a broader range sustainable development issues that are also cross-cutting.
Perak shares the ambitions of the SDGs - The Perak Amanjaya Development Plan is the 5-year blueprint for Perak State, and has the long-term aim of measuring the state’s development success beyond just by economic growth, but also by social development, improved well-being, and environmental sustainability. This is reflective through the state’s development indicators where the number of indicators measuring social and environmental impacts and outcomes, outweighs the number of economic and financial indicators.
While the state has achieved relatively good development outcomes, such as decline in poverty rates and service sector development, challenges in human development disparities persist at urban-rural areas, and to segments of the population such as Orang Asli, households at the bottom 40% income level, elderly, female-headed households, youth and children.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) looks to provide support to both national and local governments in localising and mainstreaming the SDGs to local conditions and realities to influence policy-making based on sound evidence and data.
In view of this, UNDP together with the Perak State Government looks to commission a series of technical Background Papers on various development topics and provide in-depth situational analysis and actionable public policy recommendations that aligns with the SDGs.
The Objectives of the assignment:
The objective of the assignment is to conduct a detailed situational analysis of key policies, strategies, and programmes on multidimensional poverty and inequality, and propose a framework for indicators that is compatible and aligns with the SDG goals and targets.
The overarching objectives of this assignment are to; support the Perak State Government in its efforts toward building an inclusive and sustainable development that benefits everyone; as well as contribute to the localisation of SDGs through the provision of high-quality economic analysis and policy responses.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Research Consultant is expected to produce a Background Paper with particular attention to the following:
- Review Perak State socio-economic policy documents, existing strategies and flagship programmes on addressing multi-dimensional poverty, and inequality. These documents include but are not limited to the Perak Amanjaya Development Plan (PADP), Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Development Blueprint, and the 11th Malaysian Plan (11MP). The review should provide a comprehensive assessment of whether these policies, strategies and programmes are inclusive and adequately address and prioritise reduction of multidimensional poverty and inequality.
- Perform compatibility analysis to assess if state-level measures and evaluation systems are clearly linked with relevant SDGs, targets and indicators. It should identify the need to revise relevant socio-economic policies (if any), provide recommendations on how these could be strengthened in-line with the SDGs, and provide guidelines on how to ensure that future socio-economic policies are inclusive.
- Propose the framework for monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
- Provide forward-looking and innovative recommendations on public policy interventions to mainstream inclusive development and its measurement in the Perak State.
Deliverables and Timeline of Expected Outputs:
Under supervision of the Programme Manager of UNDP Malaysia and the Senior Technical Advisor / Development Economist of UNDP Malaysia, the Research Consultant will be responsible to produce a Background Paper (maximum of 7500 words) drafted in proficient English and provide full references in a format that is consistent and which would require minimal editing. All Excel files used to generate data in graphical presentation (e.g. graphs) used in the Background Paper shall be provided.
The Background Paper should incorporate the following deliverables:
- Provide review of the relevant SDGs in the context of Perak State on poverty and inequality, and report on indicator availability, accessibility, and relevance;
- Provide list of recommendations on enhancing inter-linkages across multiple goals, targets and indicators on inclusive and sustainable development from the perspective of SDGs;
- Finalisation of the key policy responses or recommendations on SDG mainstreaming;
- Produce a final Background Paper with recommendations on the process of incorporating relevant SDGs into sub-national policies to promote inclusive and sustainable development agenda at the state level.
The final Background Paper should include, but not limited to the following components:
- Executive Summary: A part from a Background Paper, the Research Consultant is required to produce a clear and concise 3 to 5 page summary on the main findings and recommendations of the Background Paper, highlighting the current status, key issues and gaps on the implementation of relevant SDGs indicators at the Perak State level.
- Conclusion and Recommendations: Prioritised list of recommendations and responsibilities with specific reference to innovative policy responses for the Perak State to address multidimensional poverty, and inequality.
The Deliverables Tables and Payment Terms are as follows:
- Submission and acceptance of the workplan and methodology (to be submitted by 15 July 2017, 20%) ;
- Submission and acceptance of the draft Background Paper (to be submitted by 1 September 2017);
- Submission and acceptance of the final Background Paper (to be submitted by 29 September 2017, 80%).
Note: The Research Consultant is expected to attend the Pangkor Dialogue 2017 conference and other relevant stakeholder engagements and present the findings of the paper.
The Background Paper is expected to be:
High quality and factually correct:
- Provides comprehensive and independent reviews of the sustainability of existing state policies aimed at alleviation of multidimensional poverty and inequality;
- Offers constructive and innovative policy recommendations for the Perak State Government.
Consistent with UNDP standards in terms of:
- Ensure consistency and logical linkages with the SDGs;
- Contribute to the proper structuring of general conclusions and recommendations.
- Participate in team discussions and brainstorming sessions to contribute to the methodological approach and the final structuring of the Background Paper.
Visible and reliable in its findings:
- To employ truthful and relevant data;
- To make available the list of references and data used in preparing the required analysis;
- To participate in the presentation and other follow-up engagements to present the findings of the Background Paper i.e. Pangkor Dialogue 2017, pre- and post-conference engagements with relevant stakeholders.
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 development economics in the context of countries such as Malaysia;
- Demonstrates strong analytical skills;
- Promotes team work and contributes towards building team consensus;
- Builds positive relationships with clients;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Excellent teamwork and leadership skills.
Development and Operational Effectiveness:
- Ability to analyse and understand policy and development planning process;
- Ability to apply organisational policies and procedures;
- 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
- An advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in development economics, international development, macroeconomics, microeconomics, poverty reduction, sociology, development, public policy or related fields.
- PhD or any doctorate qualification will be highly desirable.
Experiences:
- Minimum 5 years of working experience in inclusive and sustainable development or related fields;
- A proven track record in providing high-quality, development-relevant analysis and policy advice in areas such as poverty eradications programmes and reducing vertical or horizontal inequalities;
- Experience in Malaysia and/or prior experience in the Asia-Pacific region or in countries of similar level of development is a must;
- Familiar with the SDG agenda and localisation process is preferred;
Language requirements:
- Proficient in written and spoken English, and proven ability to produce high-quality written outputs in English
- Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose.
Provision of Monitoring and Progress Controls:
The Research Consultant will work under supervision of the Programme Manager of UNDP Malaysia and the Senior Technical Advisor / Development Economist of UNDP Malaysia. S/he will work in close collaboration with other staff of the UNDP country office, where necessary.
How to Apply:
- Kindly download the Letter of Confirmation of interest and availability, Financial Proposal Template, P11 form and General Terms & Conditions mentioned below;
- Completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability;
- Personal CV or a P11 Personal History Form, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
- Read and agree to the General Terms & Conditions;
- Click the ‘apply’icon and complete what is required;
- Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable) with emphasis on the proposal on scope of work, deliverable(s) and knowledge transfer;
- Financial Proposal (Annex I) that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. The term "all inclusive" implies all cost (professional fees, international travel costs, living allowances etc).
- If an applicant is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the applicant must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.
- Scan all documents into 1 pdf folder and then upload;
- For clarification question, please email to procurement.my@undp.org. The clarification question deadline is three (3) days before the closing. When emailing for clarification questions, please put "MyIC/2017/022" as the subject matter.
- Incomplete applications will be excluded from further consideration.
Forms and General terms & conditions to be downloaded:
- The UN Personal History Form (P11) is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/P11%20for%20SC%20&%20IC.doc?download
- Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Letter%20of%20Interest%20_Annex%201.docx?download
- The Financial Proposal Template at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Financial%20Proposal%20Template.doc?download
- The General Terms & Conditions for Individual contract is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/General%20Conditions%20of%20Contract%20for%20IC.pdf?download
- The General Terms & Conditions for Reimbursement Loan Agreement is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Reimbursable%20Loan%20Agreement%20_%20Terms%20&%20Conditions.pdf?download
Evaluation:
The candidate will be evaluated based on the methodology of Cumulative Analysis.
The award of the contract will be made by UNDP to the candidate whose offer has been evaluated and determined as responsive, compliant and acceptable, and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation:
Technical criteria weight (70%):
- Technical knowledge on the proposed topics;
- Experience in social sciences research;
- Familiarity with the scope of research.
Financial criteria weight (30%)
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 50 points will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Confidentiality and Intellectual Property:
- All data provided in the project will be used only for the purpose of the research. The expert shall not use any data provided for purposes other than the identified scope of work above.
- Any publications arising from the work undertaken above will require written consent of the data owner and UNDP Malaysia.