Consultancy as Development Economist

Background

UNDP works with countries in Asia Pacific to improve how sustainable development policies and programmes are designed and implemented. We help develop the capacity of governments to formulate strategies and public policies that promote human development, reduce poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNDP responds to requests from countries to adapt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the SDGs at its core, to national sub-national and local conditions and realities, incorporating regional and global perspectives. It offers support to both national and local governments in localizing, mainstreaming, and accelerating the SDGs implementation as well as works to influence national policy-making with a view to creating an enabling environment for action at local and regional levels.

Objectives of the assignment:

The overall objective of the assignment is to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of UNDP’s support to the 2030 Agenda in Malaysia and the region overall through the provision of high-quality economic analysis.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative with matrix reporting to Regional Economic Advisor at Bangkok Regional Hub, the Development Economist will help contribute to its overall work programme. The Development Economist will support the country office by providing economic analysis and policy advice to management and government counterparts that favor inclusive development, including the integration of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs into national plans and activities. S/he will also work closely with all programme teams and be responsible for helping develop large-scale development solutions and activities aimed at enhancing UNDP’s programmatic support. The Development Economist is expected to contribute to knowledge generation through research and analysis, represent UNDP as required in policy discussions, and work closely with the country programme teams and the regional network on SDG integration, acceleration, and innovation.

The Development Economist will work with the different UNDP country office teams, the national accelerator lab and colleagues in Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) colleagues and the UNDP Asia-Pacific regional network of Country Office economists. This will include systematic engagement with and oversight from the lead regional economic advisors based in Bangkok and Beijing. S/he will also develop and maintains a network of colleagues from UN Agencies, IFIs, Government Officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society.

S/he will be expected to be based in UNDP Malaysia and to report for work daily (5 days a week) in Putrajaya. The consultancy fee will be based on time sheet and milestone basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Advice and support to UNDP management on economic and development issues;
• Advice to Government counterparts and facilitation of knowledge building on economic and development issues;
• Creation of strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization;
• Advocacy and promotion of UNDP’s mandate and mission;
• Contribution to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region in selected priority areas, with particular focus on innovative financing for the SDGs and Islamic finance.

1. Provides advice and support to UNDP management, programme and projects focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Monthly compilation, analysis and interpretation of economic and statistical data, thorough research of the economic and development issues in the country and preparation of top quality analysis and reports.
• Analysis of economic, social and political economy issues relevant to the successful implementation of the SDGs in Malaysia (in line with the 11th Malaysia Plan), preparation for the 12 Malaysia Plan and/or the region overall;
• Analysis of the national development planning system, and provision of policy advice and support to effectively integrate the SDGs into national, sub-national and local planning policies and processes;
• Analysis of the national fiscal and budget planning and implementation systems, and provision of policy and technical advisory support to integrate the SDGs into national and local budget and finance systems;
• Assist UNDP country office management with preparation and implementation of country programmes and strategies, including the Country Programme Document (CPD);
• Support UNDP country office teams to develop and manage relevant thematic portfolios, such as activities to support inclusive growth and progress towards the SDGs, and in particular develop and expand Islamic Finance portfolio in meeting SDG achievement;
• Identification and analysis of issues that impact upon multiple SDG Goals and targets and the development of ‘accelerator interventions’ that help unlock sustained progress across multiple development areas;
• Collaborate across UNDP teams, especially to ensure linkages to the work emerging from the network of acceleration labs;

2. Provides advice and options to Government counterparts and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Facilitation of policy dialogue on economic issues with the Government, donors, civil society, private sector; contributions to development of policies as relevant;
• Provision of policy options, particularly from pro-poor perspectives, on macroeconomic and development issues to governments and other development actors;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned;
• Support monitoring and reporting of progress related to SDGs and other national development frameworks.

3. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships, innovative financing mechanism and support to resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation.
• Explore partnership with Islamic Finance Institutions to develop potential projects funded by Islamic Finance instruments (i.e. Zakat, Wakaf or Sukuk)
• Assistance to the Government and UNDP in resource mobilization by preparing potential pipeline projects for meeting with donors and the Government.
• Assist UNDP in its preparation for the next Country Programme Document and Country Programme and Action Plan.
• Support CO in managing Inclusive growth portfolio and promote adoption of SDG.

4. Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Public and policy advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals, pro-poor and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings.
• Support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Support CO’s partnership with other UN agencies / UNDP Country offices on economic development matters.
• Publications on economic issues where applicable.

5. Contributes to UNDP’s work across the Asia-Pacific region in selected priority areas, with particular focus on innovative financing for the SDGs and Islamic finance, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provide technical and programmatic advice to the Malaysia CO as well as RBAP and other COs in the region on financing the SDGs, with particular emphasis on innovative financing instruments, impact/social investment, fin-tech, and Islamic finance
• Active participation in the UNDP Asia-Pacific regional network of economists, including through attending regional meetings (in-person and/or virtual), sharing relevant experiences, and conducting peer reviews.
• Stay update to latest global, regional and in country trends on innovative SDG financing, particularly Islamic finance and substantively contribute to UNDP core regional knowledge products on areas identified as regional priorities, such as by conducting country case studies as relevant,
• Enhance UNDP’s understanding and design of new approaches to sustainable development by leading collaboration, experience sharing, and knowledge management across the regional economist network in selected thematic areas relevant to Malaysia and other countries in Asia-Pacific.
• Support the delivery of programmes and advice by other UNDP Asia-Pacific Country Offices as relevant, such as through joint analysis, experience sharing, and short-term detail assignments in selected areas of expertise (as possible).

Provision of Monitoring and Progress Controls:

The candidate will work under Assistant Resident Representative (Programme) UNDP Malaysia with technical oversight and quality assurance by the Asia-Pacific Regional Development Economist, Bangkok Regional Hub. S/he will work in close collaboration with other staff of the country office and policy advisors of the Bangkok Regional Hub, as well as other Development Economists on assignment in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• 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:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
• Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on economic issues;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
• Ability to apply economic theory to the specific country context, carry out high-quality economic research;

Management and Leadership:

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation;
• Leads 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.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Economics, Econometrics, Mathematics, Statistics or equivalent;
• Bachelor’s Degree with 7 years working experience can be considered in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level;
• Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis;
• Hands-on experience in providing technical advice and designing interventions on innovative financing for the SDGs, impact/social investment and fin-tech, and including Islamic finance, would be an advantage;
• Some experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects in preferred;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data;
• Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and how it aligns with the 11th Malaysia Plan will be an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Bahasa Malaysia.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

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

Technical Proposal:

• Explain in a cover page (maximum 2 pages) how candidate’s qualification and experience make him/her suitable for the work;
• Complete the Letter of Interest;
• Complete P11 form OR a resume, provide 3 referee's name and their work email address.

Financial proposal

Specify a daily fee amount which is all inclusive and take into account various expenses the candidate expects to incur during the contract, including:

• The daily professional fee;
• The cost of travel from the home to the duty station and vice versa;
• Communications, utilities and consumables; tax and
• Life, health and any other insurance.

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/2019/062" 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 Interest with Financial Proposal template at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Letter%20of%20Interest%20and%20Financial%20Proposal%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

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.

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

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Candidates must be resident in Malaysia, or have the right to work in Malaysia.

For further information, and to apply, please visit our website via the “Apply” button below.