Historique

Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is a global partnership addressing the biodiversity finance challenge in a comprehensive manner. The Initiative provides an innovative methodology enabling countries to measure their current biodiversity expenditures, assess their financial needs in the medium term and identify the most suitable finance solutions to bridge their national biodiversity finance gaps. BIOFIN provides support for countries to initiate a national policy dialogue and transformational process through a stepwise customizable approach to identify and mobilise the resources and policies required to bridge the gap between the current approach to financing biodiversity and that needed to successfully implement national biodiversity plans and achieve national biodiversity targets.

There are currently 31 countries globally participating in BIOFIN. The project, which began in 2012 and continues through 2022, is coordinated by the UNDP through a global team supporting country implementation and the continuous improvement of the BIOFIN methodology. The global team works with interdisciplinary national teams, customising the methodology to the national context in each country.

At the national level, BIOFIN works under the leadership of ministries of finance (treasury), economy, planning and environment to bring together a core group of national stakeholders, including the private sector, to rethink the most suitable finance modalities for biodiversity. Activities are implemented through in-depth consultation with a strong focus on capacity development.

In Malaysia the project works closely with National Focal Point, Ministry of Economic Affairs. The immediate focus will be on the formulation of a National Biodiversity Finance Plan and initiation of biodiversity finance solutions/options to implement the National Policy on Biological Diversity (NPBD) 2016 – 2025 and focus areas stipulated in the 11th Malaysia Plan’s Mid-term Review Pillar 4 Ensuring Environmental Sustainability for Green Growth.

Devoirs et responsabilités

The BIOFIN Phase 1 in Malaysia was conducted from November 2013 until December 2018. A series of consultations, trainings and workshop sessions were conducted by engaging key federal agencies and other relevant stakeholders: NGOs, private sectors and international organizations.  As the result of the process, three draft reports were produced:

1. Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER)
2. Finance Needs Analysis (FNA)
3. Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP)

The Core Group headed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEA), which is tasked with overseeing the BIOFIN in Malaysia, after reviewing the draft reports, stressed upon the needs to restructure and rewrite the reports and produce the findings of BIOFIN initiative in a coherent and constructive manner, particularly for the benefits of policy and decision making. 

In this regard, the purpose of this assignment is to engage a Biodiversity Finance Analyst to provide analytical and technical expertise for the preparation and finalization of the key outputs as below:

• A BIOFIN Malaysia Integrated Report constitutes of three sections: BER and FNA with financial gap analysis; and
• BIOFIN Malaysia Policy Brief targeting policy-makers to deliver concise policy message for the institutionalisation of BIOFIN methodology and importance of biodiversity finance.

The Biodiversity Finance Analyst will work with UNDP and serve as a member of UNDP policy and technical advisory and solution team on biodiversity finance in Malaysia.

 He/she will undertake the following tasks:

Provision of expertise and knowledge in the preparation and finalization of an integrated report on Biodiversity Expenditure Review and Finance Needs Assessment

Review the BER and FNA data and findings, propose an appropriate integrated report structure, prepare and finalize the integrated report. The Integrated Report shall consist of three parts: BER and FNA with financial gap analysis.

Part 1: Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER)

Review and analyse BER data set and produce the report with the following indicative content outline:

1. Introduction: Overview of global BIOFIN initiative; BIOFIN Methodology/Process; BIOFIN in Malaysia; what is BER?
2. Macroeconomics context/National Budget Allocation process: general description of budgeting process and how funding needs for biodiversity conservation are taken into account in the system. National budget allocation: comparison between various programme and ministries and where does the key biodiversity Ministry/agencies stand? Does the budgeting system able to address adequately funding needs for biodiversity: if yes – how; if no – why?
3. BER methodology: 
   • Provide description and rationale for the adopted methodology; selection and basis for participating agencies divided in two categories: Government (number of federal agencies) and non-Government (NGOs; private sector; and international organizations).  Assumptions and advantages or limitations of the findings by focusing the analysis on these limited number of agencies.
   • Collect and use actual expenditure data for NGO, private sector and international organization for analysis. 4.
4. BER analysis: description about the two types of expenditures: Operating Expenditure and Development Expenditure; process for collecting BER data and data sources; to produce reliable and consistent time series data for both categories (government and non-government); yearly breakdown of BER by programmes; yearly breakdown of BER by agencies for both Government and non-government; brief analysis on the expenditure trend by programme and agencies; tagging with NPBD and BIOFIN categories.

   Take note:

   • Marine Parks trust fund to be included into the Department of Marine Park Malaysia (JTLM)’s expenditures;
   • Collect data from the Department of Wildlife and National Park (PERHILITAN) Trust Fund, to be included in PERHILITAN analysis;
   • to produce a case study box article for both trust funds?
5. Observations/summary: brief analysis of biodiversity expenditures; by major sector and players; the purpose of tagging with NPBD and BIOFIN categories; use of BIOFIN methodology in this BER process.

Part 2: Finance Needs Assessment (FNA)

Review and analyse FNA data set and produce the report with the following indicative contents outline:

• Introduction: purpose of FNA; BER (business as usual) vs FNA (NPBD scenario); FNA based on NPBD 2016 – 2025; challenges for biodiversity financing
• FNA methodology:  scope of FNA – time frame; selection and basis for participating organizations; expected results; steps in FNA analysis; data collection and sources; financial data analysis;
• Biodiversity Financing Needs:  financing needs for implementing NPBD 2016 – 2025 annual breakdown by agencies, tagging with NPBD and BIOFIN categories
• Observation:  trend in budget needs by agencies and NPBD targets; assumptions and limitations of the findings

Part 3: Financial Gaps Analysis

1. Introduction:  to clarify purpose of this section. Comparison on BER and FNA for the agencies participated in both BER and FNA analysis.
2. BER: annual breakdown by agencies; tagged NPBD targets
3. Projected Budget: 
   • Explain what it is and provide the formula to calculate projected budget
   • Calculate projected budget for participating agencies based on BER expenditure trend and present it in annual breakdown by agencies
4. FNA: annual breakdown by agencies and by NPBD targets
5. Financial gap analysis: make comparison of the projected budget with financing needs
6. Conclusion and Recommendations

Provision of expertise and knowledge in the preparation and finalization of a policy brief on biodiversity finance in Malaysia

1. To produce draft “policy brief” particularly targeting at policy and decision makers. The purpose is to contextualize BIOFIN methodology within the government budgetary system and advocate the importance of finance for biodiversity.
2. The indicative outline of the policy brief shall include:

i. Opening

• Importance of biodiversity globally and nationally
• How much is needed to conserve biodiversity?
• How much was being spent?
• What is the funding trend and expenditure pattern, and the funding sources

ii. BIOFIN Methodology

• What is the BIOFIN initiative?
• How can BIOFIN helps in biodiversity conservation in Malaysia?

iii. BIOFIN Study in Malaysia

• The objective, timeline, process, methodology applied, agencies involved, the products, the limitation, constraint and (maybe) assumption related to our best available data;
• Findings of the BIOFIN in Malaysia (include infographic);
• Brief finding on both quantitative and qualitative aspects;
• BER- how much we have spent, what is our need and gap; and
• Awareness level of the National Policy on Biological Diversity (2016-2025) among stakeholders, opportunities in term of embedding biodiversity conservation into other sector (i.e. mainstreaming biodiversity into socio-economic sector so biodiversity can be more people-centric)

iv. Biodiversity Finance Solution

• How do we close the finance gap?
• By using BIOFIN tool to inform the design of finance solutions;
• An overview of all available solutions;
• Present brief case study either DWNP/JTLM or both 

v.  Conclusion and Key Reforms

• Strategy to meet our need and close the gap (biodiversity finance plan)
• Relation to SDG goals
• Recommendations on key actions to take

Particularly, the message to be conveyed through the Policy Brief are:

1. State government – whether what have been planned at macro level reach the State especially what Malaysia has committed at the international level, do they share the same aspiration in conserving biodiversity,
2. The linkage between biodiversity and the socio-economic sector – underlying foundation for people’s wealth /socio-economic development is the richness of biodiversity
3. Private sector – an opportunity to promote shared responsibility in taking care of our biodiversity. Industries and businesses need to give back on what they have gained from free and almost free ecosystem services.
4. The community/CSO/NGO – empowerment of these stakeholders to be on board to conserve biodiversity.

Methodology:

The Analyst will use the reports and data collected for BER and FNA exercises and employ a number of investigative, analytical and consultative methods and tools to complete his/her tasks; and based on the needs:

• Collect additional data from public domains and official documents including policies and plans, annual financial reports, etc.
• Supplement the data analysis with literature research
• Regular meetings for the purpose of verification and finalization of data with the Project Team;
• Interviews with key stakeholders (ministries/departments/agencies, owner and beneficiaries of initiatives/programmes);
• Stakeholder consultations.

Handling of Data, Information and Documents:

All data, information and documents obtained under this assignment is the property of the Government of Malaysia and be treated as strictly confidential.

No such information shall be used by the expert for any other purpose other than the preparation of BIOFIN project deliverables.

All soft and hard copies of the data, information and documents must be returned to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and UNDP upon completion of this assignment.   

Duration:

The assignment will require 50 days starting from 1 March to 31 August 2019.

Travel:

• Domestic travel will be required and on own arrangement to Putrajaya during the assignment;
• The Basic Security in the Field II and Advanced Security in the Field courses must be successfully completed prior to commencement of travel;
• Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director.
• Consultants are required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://dss.un.org/dssweb/.

Deliverables and Timeline:

Please indicate working days and alternative timeline needed to complete each key deliverable (a total of key deliverables).

Terms of Payment:

The contract and payments will be performance-based and regularly assessed by the UNDP Malaysia Country Office.

• 30% upon submission and acceptance of final draft of “BIOFIN Policy Brief” by UNDP Malaysia Country Office by the BIOFIN Core Group, in consultation with UNDP Malaysia Country Office and Global BIOFIN team;
• 30% upon submission and acceptance of the first draft of “BIOFIN Malaysia Integrated Report” by the BIOFIN Core Group, in consultation with UNDP Malaysia Country Office and Global BIOFIN team;
• 40% upon submission and acceptance of the final draft of “BIOFIN Malaysia Integrated Report” by the BIOFIN Core Group, in consultation with UNDP Malaysia Country Office and Global BIOFIN team;

Compétences

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates high moral integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• 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.

Functional competencies:

• Excellent organizational skills;
• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills;
• Excellent financial and budgetary skills;
• Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations;
• Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team;
• Strong motivation and ability to work and deliver under short deadlines;
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Able to work independently with little or no supervision;
• Familiarity with government strongly desired.

Qualifications et expériences requises

• Masters or higher degree in public finance, economics or related discipline.
• First degree in finance, economics or related disciplines with minimum 3 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.  

Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in biodiversity/public finance or management;
• Extensive experience in public expenditure reviews;
• Excellent knowledge of policy, legislations and institutions relevant to public budgetary and expenditure management in Malaysia is essential;
• Experience in dealing with government agencies and international organizations;
• Exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity desirable but not required.

Language Requirement:

• English and Malay.

Documents to be included when submitting 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 brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the assignment;
3. Financial Proposal should specify a total lump sum amount including a breakdown of working days, travel and relevant costs using the financial proposal template in Annex II;
4. Personal CV including areas of expertise and past experience in similar projects and at least three (3) references.

How to Apply:

• Kindly download the Letter of Confirmation of interest and availability, Financial Proposal Template 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/2019/003" 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/MyIC_2019_003%20Annex%201%20Template.docx
• 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 

Criteria for selection of the best offer:

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:

1. The technical proposal including educational background and experience on similar assignments will be weighted a max. of 70%;

• At least 3 years of experience in biodiversity/public finance or management
• Extensive experience in public expenditure reviews
• Excellent knowledge of policy, legislations and institutions relevant to public budgetary and expenditure management in Malaysia is essential
• Experience in dealing with government agencies and international organizations
• Exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity desirable but not required

2. The financial proposal will weigh as 30% of the total scoring.