Research Assistant

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.

The key outcome of the Iskandar Malaysia Urban Observatory is to have an “effective policies and initiatives that promote socioeconomic inclusion, equity and resilience, especially for the bottom 40 per cent, are in place and implementation monitored”.

In this regard, UNDP Malaysia is looking for a Research Assistant to support the Partnership Consultant in building the co-ownership of IMUO including indicators localization and international benchmarking.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Research Assistant will report directly to and work under the guidance of the IMUO Project Manager. The day-to-day assignment of work will be guided by the Partnership Consultant for the project. He/She is responsible for background research, data collection and analysis, preparation and maintenance of knowledge products, and relevant support pertaining to the project, including all necessary project administrative requirements (e.g. logistical arrangements for workshops organised, preparation of invitation letters and follow-up, etc).

Scope of work

Summary of key functions:

A. Technical Support (60%): Perform background research and technical support to the project.

• Conduct background research and/or supporting studies for the project;
• Compile research materials in a systematic way and prepare background briefs/briefing notes as and when required;
• Collect and analyse socio-economic and environmental data, and synthesize information;
• Generate quantitative data charts/tables/graphs, and consolidate and update references list to policy briefs/papers/reports when required;
• Provide research support to the project team / main consultant;
• Analyse needs of stakeholders during consultations and provide insights to project team on potential entry-points where IMUO can provide value-added services;
• Whenever required, liaise with research institutions, NGOs and think tanks to gather data/information and inputs for relevant and timely research to guide the delivery of outputs/report.

B. Knowledge Management (20%): Provide support to knowledge documentation, knowledge building and sharing

• Synthesize and document lessons learnt and best practices;
• Support the development of knowledge products;
• Assist in preparing inputs to IMUO website and other relevant sharing / learning platforms.

C. Project Support (20%): Provide administrative and logistics support to project implementation.

• Assist with the planning and organization of consultations/conference/seminar/workshop;
• Prepare progress reports, meeting minutes, conference/seminar/workshop reports and maintain documentation and records;
• Any other duties assigned by IMUO Project Manager, UNDP Programme Manager and Partnership Consultant that have direct relevance to the project.

Duration of work

The work will take place from November 2019 to June 2020 (8 months).

Duty Station

The Research Assistant will be based in IRDA Office at Danga Bay, Johor Bahru. However, it should be anticipated that some meetings will be held in KL in support of stakeholder engagement activities.

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

Contracts based on daily fee:

The fee will be paid on a monthly based on time sheet completed with description of tasks, certified by Supervisor. UNDP makes payments based on the actual number of days worked.

The estimated workdays in the duration of the work is as follows:

Month	Work days	Applicable public holidays in Johor
Year 2019
November	19 days *Start work: 3 Nov 2019	9 Nov – Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday *7 or 10 Nov – Replacement holiday
December	22 days	25 Dec – Christmas
Year 2020
January	21 days	1 Jan – New Year’s Day
February	18 days	2 days Chinese New Year
March	23 days
April	22 days
May	19 days	1 May – Labour Day Wesak Day
June	20 days	2 days Hari Raya Puasa

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

Travel

The daily fee should account for the cost of travel from the home base to the duty stations (IRDA office at Danga Bay, Johor Bahru) and vice versa, where required. All travels and accommodation outside of duty stations (IRDA office at Danga Bay, Johor Bahru), approved by IMUO Project Manager will be reimbursable following UNDP standard procedures.

The estimated maximum number of workdays for the duration of the consultancy is as follows:

Description	Daily rate (MYR)	Maximum workdays	Total Amount (MYR)
Maximum professional fee (inclusive of all expenses)		44

Deliverable (monthly):

• Upon completion as per Terms Of Reference and submission of timesheet;

Competencies

• Demonstrates strong analytical skills;
• 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, in English and Bahasa Malaysia;
• Ability to work under pressure and time constraint, and produce quality deliverables;
• Awareness and knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) would be an added advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

I. Academic Qualifications and Years of Experience:

Bachelors’ degree and at least 3 years’ experience in social sciences, economics, international development, environmental management or other related fields;

or

Minimum 5 years’ experience in of relevant experience (incl. academic research) in social sciences, economics, international development, environmental management or other related fields, in lieu of Bachelors’.

II. Experience:

• Experience in conducting research, analysis and generating reports;
• Experience in collecting and analysing data, producing indicator and indicator proxies;
• Experienced in rapporteuring and / or facilitating stakeholder consultations;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
• Experience in working with public or private research institutions or think tanks or local development actors;
• Experience in project management or coordination would 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:

• Cover page (max. 2 pages): 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 stations (IRDA office at Danga Bay, Johor Bahru) 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).

Note:

*All travels and accommodation outside of duty station (IRDA office at Danga Bay, Johor Bahru), approved by IMUO Project Manager, will be borne by UNDP and shall be reimbursable by claims with proof of receipts. 

** 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.

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

Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered for shortlisting.  

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/2019/064" 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 

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.