Background

In line with the 11th Malaysia Plan strategy to ensure geographical balance in regional growth to enhance inclusion for the bottom 40% (B40) income and other vulnerable groups, the Iskandar Malaysia Urban Observatory (IMUO) project is a 4-year collaboration between Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) in developing strategic and targeted outputs to support a larger, ongoing initiative to establish the IMUO at the subnational level. 

This project contributes towards realising Iskandar Malaysia’s vision to become a sustainable, inclusive and smart regional corridor through evidence-based spatial planning and policy making. This project focuses on the development of the IMUO business plan through a robust process of stakeholder consultation and dialogue. The outputs from this project serve as building blocks to empower IRDA to better plan and implement subnational programmes that are more tailored to the needs of the B40 and vulnerable groups, with links to the SDGs, as well as guide IRDA in the operational establishment of the IMUO.

The IMUO functions lead to outcomes that closely ties back to the SDG agenda, of which Malaysia pledges to adopt. It serves as a facility where urban-related data can be comprehensively analysed and made meaningful for application in regional planning. An informed urban and regional development plan in turn can address poverty, improve health care services and quality of education, provide opportunities for decent work and economic growth, and reduce inequalities through strategic industry and infrastructure planning, development and management.

In this context, the project is looking to recruit a consultant with extensive experience in stakeholder / shareholder engagement to build co-ownership of IMUO, as well as in designing and conducting research / data collection to map national SDG indicators for Iskandar Malaysia.

In effort to showcase the preliminary functions of IMUO as data analytics platform, the data collected from the mapping exercise of the national SDG indicators is also meant to run a SDG localization pilot - analyse socio-economic data, fiscal data and local governance data. The SDG localization pilot will be assisted using a UNDP-developed “Local and Urban Governance Diagnostic Tool”. For this purpose, the consultant is expected to work closely with the UNDP Regional Advisor on local governance and decentralization.

Box 1. The ‘Local and Urban Governance Diagnostic tool’:

The “Local and Urban Governance Diagnostic tool” uses quantitative and qualitative data to map and analyze local inequalities (geographical, social-economic disparities, most vulnerable groups) and comprise of the following 3 sets of data/indicators:

1. Socio-economic data such as the Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index (MPI), the Human Development Index (HDI), or other Poverty data from National surveys disaggregated at the subnational/local level by poverty dimensions (i.e.: Education, Health and Living standards). Additional indicators include statistics (sector) and administrative data from departments.
2. Fiscal data – incl. local revenues, inter-government fiscal transfers, sector allocation and expenditure.
3. Local Governance indicators consisting of the following 3 surveys:

• Analysis of the “Decentralization and Local Governance environment (DLG)” (de jure functions/authority) against a predefined set of legal indicators (mainly related to political, administrative and fiscal decentralization and public participation). The results will point to issues such as DLG policy gaps, policy coherence, inter-government relations (vertical and horizontal). It will address the SDG principle of ‘leaving non one behind’ and consider issues such as inter-linkages between SDGs, the importance to build multi-stakeholder partnerships, engage with the private sector or foster a ‘whole of local government’ approach for more effective and efficient delivery of public services;
• Review of subnational/local capacities (core functions) to plan and implement the SDGs (i.e.: planning, budgeting, financing, coordination, implementation/outsourcing, monitoring, etc.). This survey (or self-assessment) will identify district and councils strengthens and weaknesses (policies, systems and resources) to deliver Agenda 2030 (or implement a specific SDG) at the local level;
• Assessment of people perception on the performance of their local government to deliver services and implement the SDGs. The perception survey will be conducted (sample will be defined locally amongst different local stakeholder groups including youth, women, private sector and vulnerable populations. The perception survey will provide information on local SDG priorities (incl. MPI dimensions), issues of concerns and the overall performance of local authorities. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The main objectives of this consultancy are to:

1. Strengthen partnerships and build new relations with relevant key stakeholders towards building co-ownership for IMUO;
2. Map the national SDG indicators and data availability for Iskandar Malaysia and provide technical recommendations of methodology to monitor SDG indicators at the state and local levels; and
3. Work closely with the IMUO project team in rolling out a preliminary analysis on local governance.

More specifically, the consultant shall:

1. Strengthen partnerships and build new relations with relevant key stakeholders towards building co-ownership for IMUO

• Build commitment and partnership with relevant stakeholders through demonstrating IMUO’s shared benefits and goals;
• Obtain buy-in and establish co-ownership from the key stakeholders;
• Lead and convene stakeholder engagement plans.

2. Map the national SDG indicators and data availability for Iskandar Malaysia and provide technical recommendations of methodology to monitor SDG indicators at the state and local levels; and

• Conduct national SDG indicators mapping against regional level data;
• Define sampling methodology and implementation plan to ‘monitor SDG progress’ the at state / local level;
• Map and assess existing local development monitoring systems that can be utilized/adjusted to help plan and monitor SDG progress at the state / local level.

3. Work closely with the project team in rolling out a preliminary analysis on local governance.

• Define sampling methodology and implementation plan to conduct the ‘Local and urban governance diagnostic tool’ at state / local level;
• Conduct a data mapping of the indicators needed for the “Local and Urban governance diagnostic”;
• Closely coordinate with project team, local government / data partners, as well as UNDP Regional Advisor, during the entire process from planning, implementation, analysis and reporting;
• Provide regular technical support and quality assurance in the collection of relevant data and indicators;
• Liaise with IRDA / UNDP Communications team to develop a dashboard where the results of the analysis can be showcased.  

The consultant will also work closely with the UNDP Regional Advisor on local governance and decentralization to:

1. Coordinate planning, implementation, analysis and reporting between UNDP Regional Advisor with local data sources / implementing partners;  
2. Enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the diagnostics that is conducted by providing the local contexts;
3. Convene engagements (if any) between UNDP Regional Advisor with civil society and private sector, etc.

Deliverables/Output:

Expected deliverable for the consultancy:

*Tentative start date on 3 June 2019.

The consultant will work in close consultation with IRDA Urban Observatory division and UNDP Malaysia. He/She will report to the Project Director and Project Manager of the project.

Duration of work:

The consultancy will take place from June 2019 to 31 December 2019 (7 months).

Duty Station:

The consultant will either be based in IRDA Office at Danga Bay, Johor Bahru, or at their satellite office in Putrajaya (to be discussed and agreed upon prior to contract agreement with shortlisted candidate).

Please be informed that IRDA’s office in Johor follows a Sunday – Thursday work week, where weekends fall on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Note: The scope of work of the consultancy requires substantial engagements and research to be conducted with agencies at state / local levels. Hence, the candidate should expect that the majority of the consultancy duration will be spent in the state of Johor.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Has prior experience in developing national or regional level stakeholder engagement and collaboration;
• Knowledgeable of the intricacies and nature of the federal, state, local governments and government agencies in Malaysia and Johor is an added advantage;
• Has strong persuasive, negotiating and influencing skills;
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills;
• Awareness and knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) would be an added advantage;
• Ability to analyse research and technical requirements for national SDG indicator mapping and diagnostics.

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;
• Calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum Masters’ degree and at least 5 years’ experience in social sciences, economics, international development or other related fields; or
• In lieu of Masters’, minimum 10 years’ experience in of relevant experience (incl. academic research) in local governance, local development, social sciences, and public administration reform.

Experience:

• Experience and able to demonstrate the understanding of the urban observatory will be preferred;   
• Experienced in convening national or regional level stakeholder engagement and collaboration;
• Recognized international expertise in developing assessment tools and methodologies to track/monitor local development, and localized international development goals (such as MDGs and SDGs);
• Experience in producing and analysing development data;
• Experience working with local development actors;
• Ability to work under pressure and time constraint, and produce quality deliverables;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially in English;
• Knowledge of the urban observatory development in other countries will be an added advantage.

Documents to be included when submitting the Proposals:

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

1. Technical Proposal:

• Explaining how their qualification and experience in research/ project coordination makes them suitable for the work and can lead towards the successful deliverable of this assignment within the required timeframe.

2. Financial proposal

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 (IRDA office at Danga Bay, Johor Bahru or Putrajaya) and vice versa;
• Living allowances needed at the duty station, if applicable;
• 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.), where applicable;
• Any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract).

3, Personal CV including areas of expertise and past experiences in similar projects and at least 3 references.

Financial Proposal:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

Lump sum fee

Travel costs

1. Estimate 2 days, 1 night for each time travel from Klang Valley to Johor Bahru only. Travel for consultation from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur or within Klang Valley is envisaged to be day trips.
2. Please include flight, ground travel, accommodation and meals into pro-rated lump sum cost.
3. In the event of unforeseen additional travels, UNDP will reimburse individual contractor based on pro-rated lump sum travel cost as indicated in this financial proposal.
4. Reimbursement of travel costs (either envisaged or unforeseeable travels) will be made upon submission of a travel claim and all necessary supporting documents, following UNDP standard procedure.
5. Regardless of the purpose of travel, the prevailing price for an economy class ticket on the most direct routes shall apply for all individual contractors. UNDP will not accept travel costs exceeding those of a full-fare economy class ticket. Individual contractors wishing to upgrade their travel to business or first class shall do so at their own expense.

How to Apply:

• Kindly download the Letter of Confirmation of interest and availability and  General Terms and Conditions;
• Complete the Letter of interest attached financial proposal (as per the requirements mentioned above);
• 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 two (2) days before the closing. When emailing for clarification questions, please put "MyIC/2019/012" 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 of Interest at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Letter%20of%20Interest%20_Annex%201.docx?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:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) 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%]

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.