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.
Objectives of the Assignment:
The objective of the assignment is to conduct a detailed situational analysis of key policies, strategies, and programmes for environmental sustainability and propose a framework for indicators that is compatible with and aligns with the SDGs goals and targets.
The overarching objectives of this assignment are to; support the Perak State Government in its efforts toward building a green economy and transitioning to sustainable development that benefits everyone; as well as contribute to the localisation of the SGDs through the provision of high-quality 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 policy documents and existing guidelines on environmental sustainability, natural resources management and the mitigation and adaptation aspects of climate change. 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).
- 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 environmental and sustainability 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 environmental and sustainability policies are inclusive.
- Propose the framework for monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
- Provide forward-looking and innovative recommendations on public policy interventions to mainstream environmental sustainability and its measurement in the Perak State.
Deliverables, Timeline and Payment Terms 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 SDGs in the context of Perak State, and report on indicator availability, accessibility, and relevance;
- Provide list of recommendations on enhancing interlinkages across multiple goals, targets and indicators on environmental sustainability 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 sustainable development agenda at the state level.
The final Background Papers 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 from 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 on environmental sustainability and climate change.
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% payment) ;
- 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% payment).
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
Experiences:
Language requirements:
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:
Forms and General terms & conditions to be downloaded:
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%):
Financial criteria weight (30%) Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 50 points will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Confidentiality and Intellectual Property:
| |