UNDP Global Mission Statement:

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

Organizational context:

As Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) integrator, UNDP is spearheading the initiative of Integrated National Financing Framework: Developing Financing Partnerships to Accelerate SDG achievements in Malaysia (INFF project). The project aims to strengthen the national SDG financing architecture as an enabler for achieving the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.  The end result of the INFF will be a more adaptive and robust financing approach that allows the GoM (Government of Malaysia) to manage future risks while addressing key priorities of sustainable and inclusive development. The resulting financing strategy should allow the Government of Malaysia to develop amongst others, innovative digital financing, green energy and transportation systems, stronger labour market and social protection systems to leave no one behind, all of which are amongst the key pillars of an SDG-aligned growth.

Through the INFF, the project seeks to link the private sector’s resources and intentions for SDGs, with the government’s drive and pledge to achieve the Goals by leveraging the innovation and financing necessary, which includes, calling for a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach. The SDG 

Financing Strategy lies at the heart of INFF. An evidence-based SDG Financing Strategy guides and supports the implementation of identified financing solutions. Beyond mobilizing new resources, SDG financing is about optimizing on delivery and use of available resources, reallocating and realigning resources via partnerships.

The INFF project will maintain flexibility to ensure that priorities for financing the SDGs take into account the implications of COVID-19 as they become more fully understood. In addition, risk management will be integrated into the finance strategy to ensure that the future risks of pandemics and other exogenous shocks are better mitigated.

Objective of Assignment:

The expert consultant will be responsible for the satisfactory development of the Development Finance Assessment (DFA) which is a tool to help diagnose the challenges and opportunities for financing the investments needed to achieve the SDGs. The DFA articulates a vision of desired trends in each area of financing and compares these with current trends. The specific objective of the development finance assessment process are:

Develop a clear, accessible and comprehensive assessment of the public and private financing outlook, financing policy and institutional structures, and opportunities to build a more integrated approach to financing in support of financing SDG-aligned national development priorities[1- Following the methodology outlines in the DFA Guidebook] , the 12th Malaysia Plan, national COVID-19 socio-economic recovery plans and the UN Framework for Socio-Economic Response.

Specific activities will include the following (but not limited to):

1. Scoping phase, before the DFA process starts:

• DFA scoping mission to agree objectives and scope of DFA, and to raise awareness of the process
• INFF / DFA Oversight team formalised
• Stakeholder mapping completed

2. The DFA research and initial consultation phase

• Finalisation of engagement plan
• Collection of data, policy documents and analytical literature to inform DFA analysis
• Analysis of public and private financing outlook (considering financing needs, trends, risks) and policies and institutions
• Ongoing discussions between Oversight team and Technical Team, as well as with other parallel processes that the DFA is connected to (e.g. other contemporaneous activities within a Joint SDG Fund joint programme)
• Research mission / series of bilateral research-oriented consultations with government officials and other stakeholders

3. Identify Priorities for Financing

• Facilitate a process of Financing Dialogues embedded in within a new or existing platform for public-private dialogue, that builds understanding and consensus about priorities for financing for building back better across government and with other stakeholders. Example of priority areas include building capacity on how to track public and private flows across the financing landscape or identifying ways in which data on financing can be shared and harmonised more effectively.
• Consider the challenges and opportunities in these areas, and to build consensus on the ways forward. Identify and build agreement on steps to be taken for each identified priority areas in terms of financing
• Facilitate the process of agreeing an INFF Roadmap, under the leadership of the INFF oversight team and to propose ways to strengthen existing structures and capacity to support the objective of operationalising an INFF.

The substantive analysis that will be carried out throughout the process and used to facilitate discussion through the Financing Dialogues will follow the approach detailed in the DFA Guidebook (version 3.0). The key analysis includes:

Covid-19 and priorities building back better

• Identifying priorities for recovery and building back better from covid-19, and longer-term national sustainable development objectives
• Reviewing the impacts of the covid-19 pandemic and government responses to date,[1 A key source for this will be UNDP socio-economic impact assessments.] including key financing interventions

INFF building block 1: assessment and diagnostics

• Collating existing estimates of financing needs and costs associated with realizing national development priorities.
• Undertaking a comprehensive analysis of historic trends, the current context and future outlook across the financing landscape considering public, private, domestic and international financing resources, flows and instruments.
• Mapping and analysing a variety of risks[2 Including economic, political, fiscal, financial, climate, environment,disaster, pandemic or other risks] that can affect financing needs, trends and availability of financing for the sustainable development priorities, drawing from available literature and analysis.
• Developing simple scenarios of future financing trajectories based on assumptions about covid-19 recovery, future risks, progress toward financing policy targets and other factors.
• Analysing the strengths and opportunities to strengthen national institutions’ capacity to effectively deliver public and private financing policies

INFF building block 2: financing strategy

• Reviewing existing policies and ongoing reforms for governance of public and private financing considering alignment with national sustainable development priorities, coherence across financing policies and impact in terms of mobilizing and promoting investments that advance national priorities.[1Policies to be analysed include those governing public finance (e.g. revenue strategy, annual and medium term budget, public debt strategy, public entity management and development cooperation policy) and private financing (e.g. private investment policies and investment promotion strategy, financial sector development and financial inclusion policies, PPP policy, diaspora engagement)}
• Analysing opportunities for mobilizing new sources of finance and strengthening the alignment of public and private financing with national priorities

The DFA technical work is undertaken by a technical team who will work under the guidance of the oversight team, with the support and quality assurance from UNDP and substantive inputs from a range of public and private actors. An international expert will play a key role in setting the programmatic workplan of the DFA, driving initial processes of research and accessing data or policy information, leading substantive aspects of the analysis and playing a role in facilitating consultations and dialogue with government and other stakeholders.

The technical team will work under the supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and Senior Development Economist. The team is responsible for delivering high quality, comprehensive analysis and facilitating dialogue with the oversight team and wider stakeholders throughout the process. Substantive inputs to the work of the technical team, as well as quality assurance in support of the UNDP country office will be provided by UNDP’s Finance Sector Hub through the regional bureau.

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Malaysia Deputy Resident Representative and with close collaboration and overall guidance from Senior Development Economist, the consultant will drive the process and activities throughout the various phases of the INFF process:

• Function as a member of the technical working group, giving sound technical input for the development of Development Finance Assessment (DFA) output;
• Support in the coordination and knowledge management for all UNDP’s involvement in the COVID-19 Socio-economic Response Plan (SERP) and UNDP’s Country Programme Document (CPD) Outputs;
• Facilitate activities e.g. meetings, consultations, focus group discussions, at project and organizational levels with the participating UN Agencies and key stakeholders from government agencies, local financial institutions and private sectors;
• Compile and manage data and policy literature to build an understanding of the development finance policy and institutional landscape, following DFA guidelines of UN;
• Develop scenarios to analyse potential future trajectories of development, considering implications for short- and medium-term policy;
• Work closely with the country office in data collection, analysis and engagement with national stakeholders in tandem with the international consultant;
• Preparation and finalization of the DFA draft document for deliberations and acceptance by stakeholders
• Any other tasks as requested by supervisor and UNDP Malaysia’s Management Team.

Expected Deliverables:

1. Output-based deliverables as agreed with UNDP Malaysia Deputy Resident Representative and Senior Development Economist.  (Please refer to Schedule of payments for details).
2. Monthly report of activities

Working Arrangements:

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of UNDP Malaysia Deputy Resident Representative with the overall guidance from UNDP Malaysia Senior Development Economist.

Duration of the Work and Duty Station

• The whole assignment is foreseen for a maximum period of 10 months with a maximum of 120 working days.
• This consultant will work from a remote location, but will be attending meetings, workshops and other engagements at UNDP office in Putrajaya, and other locations as needed.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The financial proposal shall specify a daily rate and the financial proposal should include a breakdown of this amount (including all related costs such as travel costs within Klang Valley, per diem, etc.). The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract of maximum 120 working days.

The total professional fee shall be converted into a lump-sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment linked with deliverables and at the end of assignment.

Payments are subject to reports/deliverables duly approved by the Deputy Resident Representative with advice from Senior Development Economist. UNDP reserves the right to 

withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

The national consultant may be required to travel outside Klang Valley for project activities or attend the events relevant to the project within Malaysia. All travels (envisaged or unforeseeable) need to be planned with and authorized by UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. Travel expenses (flight tickets, daily subsistence allowance (DSA) and terminal expenses) shall be arranged and paid according to UNDP travel policy.

Schedule of payment

The consultant should demonstrate the following competencies:

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation (UNDP core ethics) impartiality;
• 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 favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Professionalism: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic resources on the internet, intranet and other databases. 
• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Management and Leadership

• Proven leadership skills as a team leader;
• Ability to undertake multiple tasks;
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, focuses on impact and result and responds positively to feedback, timely responses to queries;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change/comments/suggestions and ability to manage complexities.

Academic Qualification:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Investment, Public Policy, Accounting or other Social Sciences fields or relevant professional certifications

Working Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in the field of public finance management at national or sub-national level, in any of the following areas:  budgeting processes, outcome-based budgeting, project costing, performance monitoring & evaluation and reporting
• Demonstrate negotiation skills and experience of engaging with strategic partners (national and subnational government, parliament, public finance institutions, UN Agencies, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral donors, the private sector, civil society, media).
• Ability to write high quality reports, make impactful presentations, design and deliver audience-focused trainings, etc.)
• Excellent knowledge of data collection, analysis and statistics tool are essential.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in strategic analysis, and sectoral analysis.

Language Requirement:

• Proficient in English and Bahasa Malaysia, and an ability to summarise and present information.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

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

1. Document 1 : 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;
2. Document 2: Technical Proposal: A cover page (maximum 2 pages) how candidate’s qualification and experience in rapid evaluation makes them suitable for the work and can lead towards the successful deliverable of this consultancy within the required timeframe; and 
3. Document 3: Financial Proposal at  https://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Financial Proposal Template (USD$ Daily Fee) .doc  .All inclusive and takes into account various expenses the candidate expects to incur during the contract, including:
   • The daily professional fee;
   • 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.
4. Document 4: Personal CV or P11 including areas of expertise and past experiences in similar projects and at least three (3) references at http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/P11%20for%20SC%20&%20IC.doc?download
5. Please submit this information in one file as Document 1, 2, 3, and 4.The system will only accept one attachment, please merge all documents and submit as one file.
6. Applicants must reply to the mandatory questions asked by the system when submitting the application.
7. Candidates who fail to submit all the information requested above will be disqualified.

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 (refer to below link);
• Click the ‘apply’ icon and complete what is required;
• Scan all documents into 1 pdf file 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/2020/060"as the subject matter.

General terms & conditions to be downloaded:

• 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

Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA): A legal instrument between UNDP and a Company/institution, according to which, the latter makes available the services of an individual delivering time-bound and quantifiable outputs that are directly linked to payments

• 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? 

Incomplete proposals may not be considered. Only short-listed candidates may be contacted, and successful candidates will be notified.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

Evaluation Method and Criteria

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight 50%

* Interview 20%

* Financial Criteria weight 30%

Technical Evaluation (50%)

Qualification, Experience and Technical Proposal (50 marks):

1. General Qualification (15 marks);
2. Relevance of qualification and experience make him/her suitable for the work;  (35 marks);

Interview (20%):

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview (physical/virtual) to ascertain suitability and and competency.

Financial Evaluation (30%):

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

The application receiving the Highest Combined Score will be awarded the contract.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, aboriginal groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.