Background |
|||||||||||||||||
As a key regional development partner, Malaysia plays a central role in promoting the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in Asia. With support from civil society, business, SUHAKAM and UNDP Malaysia, the government of Malaysia is well-positioned to develop a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP BHR).
The UNGPs is the world’s most authoritative and normative framework guiding efforts to address the adverse impacts of business operations on human rights. The UNGPs consist of three pillars. The first pillar concerns the well-established State duty to protect human rights under international human rights law. The second pillar addresses the responsibility of business enterprises to respect human rights and the third pillar outlines the role of both State and non-State actors to promote access to effective remedies for rights holders who have experienced business-related abuses through judicial and non-judicial grievance mechanisms.
While there is increased awareness of the BHR agenda and visible uptake is observed, serious challenges remain in implementation. Indeed, implementation of the UNGPs will require dedicated efforts to create and enforce rights-centred policies and laws, ensure policy coherence and build the capacity of all key stakeholders.
Malaysia’s network of institutional investors or Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLICs), which include sovereign wealth and savings and retirement funds, influence the country’s corporate sector through significant ownership of Malaysia’s private and publicly listed companies. Recently, a number of these GLICs have outlined or reaffirmed their commitment towards responsible investment through the Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) lens grounded in the internationally recognized Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI). Responsible investment policies are key to the implementation of Business and Human Rights principles in the corporate sector and sets the tone for rights-based industry practice.
UNDP Malaysia, under the BHR project, intends to hire an National Research Consultant to conduct a brief research study to assess the Responsible Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investment policies by GLICs in Malaysia and how it aligns with Pillars 2 and 3 of the UNGPs and Principles 1, 2 and 3 of the PRI.
The eventual knowledge product resulting from the research may comprise four main sections. The first section may contain an introductory chapter on the Principles of Responsible Investment (1-3) and how it relates to the UNGPs through the ESG framework. The second section may present the current state of the institutional investor ecosystem in Malaysia, background on the key GLICs and the latest policies in Malaysia related to responsible investing, including government-mandated policies. Following this, the third section may include an assessment on the effectiveness of these policies to mitigate human rights violations, detailing the outcomes to rights holders and more generally, how it may have top-down spill over effects and motivate market and industry improvement. The final section should contain recommendations through an analysis of potential gaps to ensure the continuous integration of ESG components in national-level investment policies and processes. Note that the contents of these sections and chapters shall be focused on Malaysia and created in consultation with UNDP. Please note that this is the suggested format for the brief, but UNDP will be willing to consider other formats/structures based on preliminary research.
Ultimately, the research study aims at:
|
|||||||||||||||||
Duties and Responsibilities |
|||||||||||||||||
The Researcher will work under the guidance and supervision of the Business and Human Rights National Specialist and in collaboration with support from project team members, including at the regional level. Specific results to be achieved by the IC are listed below.
1. Produce a research plan in consultation with BHR National Specialist. This result comprises the following major tasks:
2. Issue Brief on ‘Malaysia: Assessing Responsible Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investment Policies by GLICs’. This result comprises the following major tasks:
3. Validate research findings and finalize Issue Brief. This result comprises the following major tasks:
Expected Outputs and Deliverables
Final Brief in a layout and format ready to be published (printing costs are not expected to be borne in this IC contract).
The consultant will use their equipment and software.
Intellectual Property All information and production of the knowledge product to the assignments, as well as, outputs produced under this contract shall remain the property of the UNDP who shall have exclusive rights over their use. The products shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever format without written permission of UNDP in line with the national and International Copyright Laws applicable.
Institutional Arrnagements The Researcher will work under the overall guidance of the Business and Human Rights Specialist, Governance Team and the UNDP Business and Human Rights regional team.
Fortnightly reporting will be required, and each deliverable shall be presented to the Business and Human Rights Specialist for review and approval.
The project will not be required to provide any facilities or other support, though the Business and Human Rights Specialist or other team members may provide guidance.
Duration of Assignment, Duty Station and Expected Places of Travel
Duration The assignment is estimated to commence on 30 October 2020. The assignment will need to be completed by 18 December 2020 at the latest, up to a maximum of 45 working days.
Duty Station The consultancy will be home-based and consultation and shall set-up a schedule to engage with the project team through video conferencing or other remote communication tools.
Payment Terms Candidates shall quote a lump-sum “all-inclusive” fee for the completion of each deliverable. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment are already factored into the lump-sum submitted in the proposal. Payments shall be done upon verification of the completion of deliverables and approval by the IC’s supervisor.
The lump-sum price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components.
|
|||||||||||||||||
Competencies |
|||||||||||||||||
Corporate Competencies:
Management and Leadership:
|
|||||||||||||||||
Required Skills and Experience |
|||||||||||||||||
The Researcher should possess the following expertise and qualifications:
Education and Experience
Skills
Language
DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS Interested individual applicants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
How to Apply:
General terms & conditions to be downloaded:
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
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 Only candidates which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated, Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology;
Combined Scoring method: The award of the contract shall be made to the candidate whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%) and financial criteria (30%).
Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 100 points)
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points for technical criteria (approx. 70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
For those passing the technical evaluation above, offers will be evaluated per the Combined Scoring method: a) Technical evaluation (70%) b) Financial evaluation (30%)
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. |
|||||||||||||||||
To help us with our recruitment effort, please indicate in your cover/motivation letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.