UNDP Jobs - 81231- Technical Assistant

Technical Assistant

Location :

Country Office, Putrajaya, MALAYSIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2018

Application Deadline :

30-Oct-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six months full time position (1 November 2018 – 30 April 2019)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Six months full time position (1 November 2018 – 30 April 2019)

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 applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Biodiversity is currently being lost at unprecedented rates due to human activities around the globe. To address this problem, the Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted a Strategic Plan in 2002 (Decision VI/26). Parties are required to submit national reports to the COP on measures taken by national governments to implement biodiversity conservation measures, and the effectiveness of those actions in meeting the Convention’s objectives. The national reports represent a tool for reviewing progress in the implementation of the Convention at the national level and in particular, the implementation of the national biodiversity strategies and action plans. The preparation of the national report also presents an opportunity to reflect on successes and/or obstacles. National reports can also be used as an outreach tool. As such, the content of the national report should reflect national circumstances and priorities. The 6th National Report (6NR) will focus on monitoring the effectiveness of national strategies and actions in achieving National and Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABT) and related biodiversity outcomes. The 6NR is due on 31 December 2018. A Resource Manual containing the Report Template is available at: https://www.cbd.int/doc/nr/nr-06/cop-13-21-en-rev.pdf.

In Malaysia, UNDP is implementing a project to support the completion and submission of the Sixth National Report to the CBD in close collaboration with the Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources (KATS). The Project is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), whose mandate is to generate global benefits by paying for the incremental costs of planning and foundational enabling activities that countries implement to generate global biodiversity benefits. This project has the following components and outcomes:

Component 1: Project Inception Meeting & Identification of Funding Resources

Outcome 1: A functional steering committee is formed in each country to prepare the 6NR, project timelines and methods are developed, funding is mobilized, where necessary, and training and capacity building activities are complete.

Component 2: Assessment of Progress towards each National Target

Outcome 2. Stakeholder owned reports for each ABT and/or national equivalent are produced and compiled [Parties are requested to report on both achievement of each identified national target (Section III), and on achievement of each ABT (Section IV)].

Component 3: Sixth National Report (6NR) Production and Submission

Outcome 3: A stakeholder owned 6th National Report is produced and submitted to the CBD.

The project supports the assessment of progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and targets contained in the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016 – 2025 through a stakeholder consultation process, and subsequently the report will be subjected to a technical peer review process. This will help to ensure the preparation of a comprehensive 6NR and create ownership of its conclusions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of Responsibilities:

The Technical Assistant would perform the key tasks as follows:

Report to the Project Coordinator of Sixth National Report Project and support the Sixth National Report Team on the preparation of 6NR;
Conduct desktop review to assess and report on the progress in the achievement of Malaysia NBSAP implementation; as a contribution towards achieving the Global Aichi Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals;
Research and analyze on the gender dimension and social inclusivity of biodiversity conservation e.g. the impact of biodiversity loss on the marginal groups, and effort to engage them in contributing towards achieving the National and Global Biodiversity Targets;
Support in organizing stakeholder meeting/ engagement sessions and document the discussions and inputs transpired; this includes local communities’ workshops, 6NR validation workshops and launching of the 6NR;
Contribute to the write up of 1-2 case studies highlighting the exemplary conservation efforts per each of the 17 Targets contained in the NPBD; this will include best practice/ success stories and gender and/or Orang Asal/ Asli’s effort on biodiversity conservation;
Prepare materials/slides for gender in biodiversity conservation in Malaysia for the use during stakeholder engagement sessions;
File and document of key reports/ publications/ websites as evidence of specific targets’ achievement in a systematic way to accompany the submission of the 6NR;
Responsible for sourcing the photographs and insert them at suitable sections throughout the the Sixth National Report;
Support the Sixth National Report draft editing/ review exercise by the Technical Working Committee and the Ministry of Land, Water and Natural Resources (KATS);
Responsible for ensuring the consistency in referencing style, formatting and layout of the final report ready for publication;

Competencies

The Technical Assistant cannot have participated in the project preparation, formulation, and/or implementation (including the writing of the Project Document) and should not have conflict of interest with project related activities. He/ She shall be a Malaysian.

Functional Competencies:

Familiarity with the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016-2025 and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD);
Ability to carry out high-quality research and writing with demonstrated research, analytical and writing abilities; especially ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and to speak clearly and convincingly;
Ability to produce high quality inputs and outputs and in a timely manner;
Effective organizational and administrative skills; and ability to work independently;
Extensive knowledge in biodiversity conservation/management in Malaysia;
Sound analytical and reporting skills;
Excellent writing and communication skills.

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
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;
Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.

Required Skills and Experience

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Conservation Biology, Ecology, Environmental Management; Environmental Economics or related fields.
Five years of working experience in environmental field can be considered in lieu of Masters’ degree.

Experience:

Experience working with the Government of Malaysia in environmental and conservation initiatives;
Minimum three years of working experience in area of environmental management/ biodiversity conservation or relevant areas;
Demonstrated experience in analysis, reporting and writing on environmental issues
Working experience in Malaysia, South-East Asian or Asia-Pacific region;
Working knowledge in social aspects of environmental conservation is an advantage.

Language:

Excellent command of English and Malay.

Payment Schedule:

The Technical Assistant will be paid monthly based on time sheet completed with description of tasks, certified by UNDP.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

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

1. Completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (Annex 1) provided by UNDP;

2. Technical Proposal on how your qualifications and experience can lead towards the successful deliverable of this assignment within the required timeframe, and provide a detailed methodology on how you will approach and conduct the assignment;

3. Financial Proposal should specify a daily fee amount which is all inclusive and take into account various expenses the candidate expect to incur during the contract, including:

The daily professional fee;
The cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where required;
Living allowances needed at the duty station;
Communications, utilities and consumables;
Life, health and any other insurance;
Risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable;
Any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract;

Please download the financial proposal template mentioned below.

4. Personal CV including areas of expertise and past experience in similar projects and at least three (3) references.

Evaluation:

The award of the contract will be made to the Individual Consultant who has obtained the highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions. Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. The offers will be evaluated using the “Combined Scoring method” where:

a) Technical proposal including educational background and experience on similar assignments will be weighted a max. of 70%.

b) Financial proposal will weigh as 30% of the total scoring.

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply:

Kindly download the Letter of Confirmation of interest and availability, Financial Proposal Template, P11 form and General Terms & Conditions mentioned below;
Read and agree to the General Terms & Conditions;
Click the ‘apply’icon and complete what is required;
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_2018_020" as the subject matter.

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