Background

On 25 September 2015, during the 70th session of the General Assembly, United Nations (UN) Member States adopted the outcome document (A/RES/70/1[1]) of the UN summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda titled Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and decided on the new global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Malaysia along with other Member States, committed to implement this action plan by acting in collaborative partnership with all stakeholders to free humanity from poverty and want. They pledged to leave no one behind, and to shift the world on to a sustainable and resilient path.

The 17 goals and 169 targets are very ambitious, transformative, wide in scope, and applicable to all countries taking into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development, and respecting national policies and priorities. These global goals are indivisible, integrated, equity focused, child-friendly. They commit stakeholders (governments, parliaments, scientific and academic community, civil society, private sector, international community and the UN system) to work in partnership to promote peaceful, just and prosperous societies that put people first and ensure sustainability of the planet for generations to come.

Its implementation requires an integrated approach to sustainable development and collective action is required at all levels, guided by the principles of ‘leaving no one behind’, and supported by the concrete policies and actions outlined in the outcome document of the third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa[2] (13-16 July 2015), and better focused support of the UN development system. 

With its on-the-ground networks and its ability to swiftly adapt and innovate, the private sector is well-positioned to bring new solutions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by the 2030 target. In addition, the SDGs present significant opportunities for the private sector to open up new market opportunities and attract new private investments in sustainable development by leveraging companies’ core competencies, expertise and resources.

Many leading companies are already using the SDGs to help them develop new inclusive and sustainable opportunities. However, barriers such as regulatory environments, lack of information, and lack of systematic public-private sector collaboration is currently preventing more businesses from responding to the Global Goals.

In this context, the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Malaysia would like to explore potential areas of collaboration with the private sector and social enterprise in relation to delivering on the SDGs, and new approaches to financing the SDGs.  Thus, the UNCT has an important role to play in creating an enabling environment for business to contribute towards the attainment of the SDGs in the country.

In this context, the UNCT will engage a Consultant to develop a Strategic Proposal for Private Sector Engagement to position and advance the UNCT’s engagement and strategic partnership with the large corporations, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), business chambers/associations , as well as social enterprises for better alignment and increased contributions of business to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

[1] https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N15/291/89/PDF/N1529189.pdf?OpenElement

[2] http://www.un.org/esa/ffd/ffd3/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/07/Addis-Ababa-Action-Agenda-Draft-Outcome-Document-7-July-2015.pdf

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the UNCT and the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO):

• The Consultant will submit a work proposal (scope of work, engagement methodology, timeline and processes) to develop an impactful private sector engagement strategy, which also includes an innovative SDG financing mechanism, action plan and mapping of potential key players, partners and stakeholders - towards helping companies innovatively align their operations, supply chains, investments and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
• The Consultant will conduct a desk review of existing and developing ideas, literature, strategies, models, incentive and/or regulatory mechanisms to drive business integration, investments, partnerships and innovations of/for the SDGs.
• The Consultant will consult key UN agencies to understand their existing engagement and approach with the private sector.
• The Consultant is required to conduct at least three workshops with representatives from the private sector e.g. large corporations, including multinationals and government linked companies (GLCs), small and medium enterprises (SMEs), social enterprises, business chambers/associations from different sectors - to create awareness on the SDGs, promote the National SDG Portal and to distil views, insights and recommendations for effective private sector prioritisation, engagement and integration of the SDGs; as well as how private sector can provide alternative solutions and become alternative service providers to address some of the complex issues and priorities towards the attainment of the SDGs in Malaysia.
• Map private sector needs, focus areas, innovations, services and other relevant information to some of the SDG priorities in the country.
• Test and/or benchmark toolkits or private sector SDG acceleration and engagement plan.
• The consultant is required to collate at least 20 stories of meaningful stories from the private sector that showcase their contributions and commitments to the SDGs in the country – to be loaded onto the National SDG Portal (https://mysdg.my/) by mid-August 2018.
• Develop an impactful private sector engagement strategy that includes an innovative SDG financing and action plan towards helping companies align their operations, supply chains, investments and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
  • The Strategy should span across the social, economic and environmental pillar of the Agenda 2030 and mainstream its key principles of leaving no one behind, human rights and sustainability.
• The Strategy must be well consulted and presented to the UNCT at different stages of its development.

Note: There could be slight changes to the above-mentioned scope of work after further discussion with the UNCT and/or RCO.

Duration:

The assignment is expected to commence from 30 July 2018 to 30 November 2018.

Duration of Assignment, Duty Station and Expected Places of Travel:

a) Expected Places of Travel:  3 Field visits to companies or events in Malaysia are required and if any additional visit required prior approval of the RCO.

b) Logistical Information:

• The Consultant is expected to arrange his/her travel, opting for the most direct and economical route, based on the UN travel policy (available on request);
• Costs related to in-country travels – such as transport and living allowances; 
• The workshops will be held economically at UN Offices in Putrajaya. Any additional costs that may be incurred must receive the prior approval of the RCO.

Final Deliverables/Schedule of Payment:

The consultant will be paid in accordance to the above schedule when deliverables are approved.

Provision of Monitoring and Progress Controls:

The consultant reports to the RCO and provides regular progress report. 

Competencies

• Excellent drafting, presentation, communication and negotiation skills both in English and Malay;
• Strong facilitation, coaching and report writing skills;
• Strong analytical capacity, including the ability to analyse and articulate differences of positions among a large number of stakeholders and develop acceptable solutions;
• Strong analytical and organizational skills;
• Excellent strategic thinking or analytical skills as demonstrated, for example, by prior experience in private sector sustainability and/or policy development.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum Masters’ degree in Sociology, Sustainable Development, Governance, Development Economics, Public Finance Management, Economics, or related areas.

Experience:

• At least 7 years relevant experience working in development, with substantial experience working with private sector and other stakeholders on sustainability, MDGs/SDGs, local governance or civic engagement;
• Previous experience in working with the private sector.

Language Requirement:

• Proficient in English. Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia will be an added advantage.

Handling of Data, Information and Documents:

• All data, information and documents obtained under this assignment is the property of the United Nations Country Team, and must be treated as strictly confidential.
• No such information shall be used and cited by the expert for any other purpose other than for the preparation of the Report for the UN Country Team.
• All soft and hard copies of the data, information and documents must be returned to the UN Coordination Specialist upon completion of this assignment.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposal:

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

1. 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;

2. Financial Proposal as provided.

3. 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).

Note:

Please save and upload all documents (proposals and P11 Form) into one PDF file.  

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/2018/017" 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
• The Letter of Confirmation and financial proposal template is available at http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/MyIC_2018_017%20Letter%20of%20Interest%20and%20Financial%20Proposal.docx
• The General Terms & Conditions for Individual contract is available http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/MyIC_2018_017%20Letter%20of%20Interest%20and%20Financial%20Proposal.docxnt/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