Historique

The poverty rate in Malaysia for 2014 is at its lowest level since Merdeka at 0.6%. Among the main ethnic groups, the poverty rate is the lowest for the Chinese (0.1%), followed by the Indians (0.6%) and then the Bumiputera (0.8%). While this is an extraordinary achievement, almost unparalleled in developing countries, given that about half of the population was poor two generations ago, the job is not yet done. There are still pockets of poverty among certain groups, and assistance must be specifically targeted for them. For instance, the poverty rate for Orang Asli in Peninsula Malaysia remains high at 34%, as well for the Bumiputera Sabah (20.2%) and Bumiputera Sarawak (7.3%). For these groups, poverty is not only in terms of income, but they also have poor education, health outcomes and in certain locations, still lack basic amenities.

The shift from income-centric poverty assessment to a multi-dimensional poverty assessment, as stated in the 11th Malaysia Plan is an important step towards realizing greater inclusive development. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) broadens the definition of poverty to include vulnerabilities in areas such as health, education attainment and living standards; which is a departure from the conventional measures of absolute and relative income poverty.  Employing an MPI lens allows one to derive a more comprehensive picture of the OA communities and a deeper understanding of the types of disadvantages experienced. For example, one of issues faced by the OA communities is food insecurity. This issue has not been adequately explored in previous studies.[1]

Economic development supports the growth of strong sustainable communities. In the context of OA communities, this can result in better incomes for families and communities, address entrenched disadvantage and improve health and wellbeing. Financial security and prosperity also enhance self-esteem, which can be positive for OA households, improving OA and non-OA interaction and reducing social alienation. Realizing this, the 11 Malaysia Plan (11MP) and in the Mid-term Review of the 11MP have outlined several capacity-building measures including increasing intake of OA students into high performing schools and skills training institute, entrepreneurial programs that focus on nurturing entrepreneurial skills and are complemented with financing, product packaging and marketing assistance.  

The Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir Mohamed, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards the OA economic agenda most recently at the April 2019’s National Orang Asli Convention, where he said, “The government has always endeavored to improve the plight of the Orang Asli and we want to help improve their quality of life by helping them earn fixed and sustainable incomes”. One of the ways for this is via local tourism industry i.e. through indigenous eco and agro-tourism. The strategy is also expected to encourage more youth in the OA community to venture into entrepreneurial activities.

The National Entrepreneurship Framework’s Strategic Objective 1: “Increase SME’s contribution to GDP” can be used to guide development of entrepreneurial programmes for the OAs. Amongst others, the Ministry of Entrepreneurial Development pledges to support B40 microenterprises in establishing their businesses, ensure cooperation and strategic networking between the public and private sectors, as well as plan and implement activities to promote the entrepreneurial culture. Interestingly, while the document did not mention the OA specifically, it highlighted the unique potential and business opportunities in creative industry such as bamboo and wood carving in creating new jobs and value-chain that eventually boost local income and development. Hence, what is critically needed today a set of sound recommendations for the above intentions and commitment to be translated into reality. This will give the OA communities a chance to obtain sustainable income which will in turn help reduce multi-dimensional poverty amongst the community.

Objectives

A Consultant with extensive experience in OA issues and stakeholder engagement is required for the development of UNDP’s Strategy Paper on OA to support the 12th Malaysia Plan.  The main objectives covered by this consultancy are:

1. To further understand the challenges faced by the OA communities in the context of multi-dimensional poverty
2. To recommend options to increase livelihood for OA communities and contribute the findings and strategies as well as policy recommendations to address issues faced by the OA communities, based on the National Entrepreneurship Framework.

To enhance the participation of private sector in helping build viable value-chains or entrepreneurial ecosystem that provides access to finance, market access and collaboration opportunities to OA entrepreneurs. 

[1] Law, L.S., Sulaiman, N., Wan, Y.G., Adznam, S.N., and Mohd. Taib, M.N., (2018) ‘The Identification of the Factors Related to Household Food Insecurity (Orang Asli) in Peninsular Malaysia under Traditional Food Systems’, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Objective 1: Analyze the challenges faced by the OA communities in the context of multi-dimensional poverty

• Conduct a desk research on the multi-dimensional poverty challenges faced by OA communities in Malaysia.
• Describe the main root causes leading to the current high multi-dimensional poverty status of OA communities.

Objective 2:  Recommend options to increase livelihood for OA communities and contribute the findings and strategies as well as policy recommendations to address issues faced by the OA communities, based on the National Entrepreneurship Framework.

• Conduct a desk research on existing entrepreneurship programs for the OA communities, and identifying the successes achieved and challenges in creating sustainability and market access.
• Recommend entry points for traditional knowledge and craft that can be enhanced for sustainable entrepreneurship that will align with the National Entrepreneurship Framework.

Objective 3: Enhance the participation of private sector in helping build viable value-chains or entrepreneurial ecosystem that provides access to finance, market access and collaboration opportunities to OA entrepreneurs 

• Recommend general methods or platforms how private sector can help develop new value chains for OA products and services
• Recommend useful entry methods in which private sector’s existing business activities and initiatives can incorporate OA communities as their producers, suppliers and employees
• Leverage innovative financing and partnerships solutions to mobilize private capital to fund OA startups and expansion of existing OA enterprises.

Duration of work:

The consultancy is an engagement which will take place from 6th May 2019 to 30th September 2019.

Duty Station:

The Consultant will be based at UNDP Malaysia Country Office at Putrajaya.

Compétences

• Demonstrates strong analytical skills.
• Supports team effectively and a good team player.
• Consistently approaches work with enthusiasm and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Ability to work under pressure and time constraint, and produce quality deliverables;

Language: 

• Strong oral and written communication skills, in English and Bahasa Malaysia.

Qualifications et expériences requises

• Minimum Masters’ degree and at least 5 years’ experience in social sciences, economics, community development, public policy or other related fields; or

• In lieu of Masters', minimum 7 years’ experience in of relevant experience (incl. academic research) in local governance, local development, social sciences, public administration reform.

Experience:

• Preferably with experience and able to demonstrate the understanding of the MPI and SDG indicators and targets.
• Recognized expertise in developing assessment analysis and reports to evaluate local OA development vis-à-vis national development agenda.
• Experience working with local development actors such as JAKOA, state and local authorities and OA grassroot leaders will be preferable.
• Knowledge of indigenous people’s development strategies and success in other countries will be an added advantage.

How to Apply:

• Kindly download the P11 form,  Letter of Confirmation of interest and availability and  General Terms and Conditions;
• Complete the P11 or CV (with 3 referees name and email) and Letter of interest attached financial proposal (as per the requirements 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/2019/022" as the subject matter.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposal:

1. Technical Proposal:

• Explain in a cover page (maximum 2 pages) how candidate’s qualification and experience in research makes them suitable for the work and can lead towards the successful deliverable of the three objectives of this consultancy within the required timeframe.
• Please list and summarise at least 3 samples of research / analysis work previously involved.

2. Financial proposal

Specify a lump sum amount which is all inclusive and takes into account various expenses the candidate expects to incur during the contract, including:

• The cost of travel from the home base to the duty station (UNDP Office, Putrajaya) and vice versa;
• Communications, utilities and consumables; and
• Life, health and any other insurance.

Note: All later required travels and accommodation outside of duty station (UNDP Office, Putrajaya), approved by UNDP Programme Manager, will be borne by UNDP, and shall be reimbursable following UNDP standard procedures.

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

Financial Proposal:

Lump sum contracts

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) as certified by UNDP Programme Manager.

Travel:

The lump sum value should account for the cost of travel from the home base to the duty station (UNDP Office, Putrajaya) and vice versa, where required. All travels and accommodation outside of duty station (UNDP Office, Putrajaya), approved by UNDP Programme Manager, shall be reimbursable following UNDP standard procedures.

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 followings 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.