Project Coordinator

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

In Malaysia, out of the 637,537 PWD registered with the Department of Welfare (DoW), around 50% were of working-age. However, the population of PWD in Malaysia is underreported, as registration with the DoW is voluntary and there may be little incentive to affiliate. The Government of Malaysia (GoM) signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2008 and ratified it in 2010, though it maintains reservations on Article 15 and Article 18, and has yet to sign the CRPD Optional Protocol.

In line with the CRPD, Malaysia enacted the Person with Disabilities Act 2008 which guarantees that PWDs shall have the right to access employment on an equal basis with persons without disabilities including access to social protection schemes. A National Council Working Committee on Employment among PWD (Jawatan Kuasa Pekerjaan Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi Orang Kurang Upaya, JKMKBOKU) was established to coordinate and oversee the implementation of PWD’s employment initiatives through cross-collaboration between ministries and agencies. Among initiatives are job placement in public and private sectors, the Social Security Organization’s (SOCSO) Return-to-Work Programme and Entrepreneurship Scheme (Skim Bantuan Galakan Perniagaan OKU, SBGP-OKU).

Despite the government’s initiatives, the employment rates of PWD in both public and private sectors remain disproportionately low. Barriers to work include environmental barriers ie inaccessible transport systems, inaccessible workplace facilities and equipment, inaccessible communications by employers and employment service providers; institutional barriers ie lack of inclusive education and training opportunities, a lack of or ineffective anti-discrimination legislation and/or quota systems, limited knowledge and confidence of employers and service providers on disability inclusive employment practices, and a lack of access to healthcare and attitudinal barriers ie discrimination against people with disabilities; unconscious bias and assumptions about the cost of reasonable accommodations or people with disabilities’ capabilities; stigma; abuse; low self-esteem and limited social networks.

Through the Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund, UNDP Malaysia is working in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), to undertake an 18-month project in accelerating the government’s effort to ensure PWDs have equitable opportunities to improve their standard of living and achieve self-sustainability. The project has three inputs, these are: (i) enhanced understanding of the barriers to businesses on inclusion of PWD into the workforce and social protection schemes such as SOCSO, (ii) established pilot work placement facilitating PWDs integration into the workforce, and (iii) capacity building and policy recommendations on improving access to decent working conditions and adequate social protection among PWDs.

To support the achievement of the project, UNDP and ILO are seeking to hire a qualified and experienced Project Coordinator who is expected to implement the day-to-day activities of this project by providing coordination support to both UNDP and ILO offices. Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Programme Analyst and ILO Senior Project Officer and the overall guidance and supervision of the UNDP Resident Representative and ILO DRD, the Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall management and coordination of the project’s activities.

Accordingly, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks

A. Project Management and Reporting (approx. 30%) • Work closely with UNDP and ILO’s focal points to provide and facilitate periodic reporting, in line with UNDP and ILO’s reporting requirements and to ensure that deliverables/outputs are of quality and are submitted on time, including monitoring the work and deliverables of consultants contracted under the project; • Prepare and submit required reporting fully complied with the deadlines set. These include the preparation and submission of the overall and annual project procurement plan and the preparation and submission of Mid-year Progress Report, Annual Project Report and Final Project Report to UNDP and ILO and the donor; • Monitor and manage project risks, and apply adaptive management including corrective and adaptive measures in project implementation; • Manage and monitor project budget and facilitate budget approvals and budgetary revision in compliance with the UNDP’s and ILO’s operating policies, rules and procedures; • Ensure appropriate recording and accounting documentation as required by UNDP & ILO and the preparation of required financial reports. Facilitate transparent financial management of the project that can stand up to regular audits and evaluation; • Ensure proper documentation of the project including efficient and effective collection, storage and analysis of information and data throughout the project, including sex and age-disaggregated data where relevant; • Assist in drafting terms of reference and specification for procurement of goods and/or services and assist in maintaining contracts issued to third party to conduct research, studies and dialogues; • Undertake quality assurance of project procurement, i.e. technical bids, financial bids, proposals and contracts; and • The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

B. Project Coordination and monitoring (approx. 30%)

• As the liaison officer for the project, coordinate and liaise with the designated representative from the government officials, PWDs’s organizations, MEF and workers groups; • Build and maintain effective relations with government agencies, CSOs, NGOs, private sector entities, research/academic institutions, the UN and other development partners; • Ensure the adequate involvement of relevant stakeholders in project consultation for inclusive and participatory processes • Coordinate with the project team on logistics arrangement, preparing agenda and coordinating with related stakeholders such as government agencies for organizing consultation workshops, seminar, training, meetings and site visit including arrangement for venues, logistics, transportation and documentation of events • Arrange external and internal meetings (including meetings between government and development partners) non-government partners, UN agencies, development partners and other potential partners and stakeholders, and maintain minutes of all programme related meetings • Compile and prepare briefing and presentation materials, speeches, background information and documentation for meetings and missions. • Support consultants in liaising with government agencies to gather data/information and inputs for relevant and timely research to guide the delivery of outputs/reports • Provide logistical support in organizing Project Board meetings and ensure all project related materials are properly documented and easily accessible in preparation for meetings • Support overall assessment for the project, and ensure that the relevant baseline data collected for project monitoring and evaluation can take place;and • Ensure smooth coordination between the UNDP and ILO project teams and other support functions within UNDP and ILO such as with finance, procurement and other functions.

C. Communication and Knowledge Management (20%) • Ensure effective facilitation of knowledge building and management, guidance to all stakeholders on project management, operational, and technical matters focusing on the attainment of the project indicators. • Undertake regular exchange of information/experience with other projects, cross-learning, and sharing results and good practices; • Contribute to written inputs of UNDP and ILO flagship products/newsletter/policy brief knowledge networks and communities of thematic practice based on project results, data and information, lessons learned, and best practices; • Capture lessons learned during project implementation and document these in the context of developing a wider communications strategy about the project and its achievements, to facilitate dissemination within UNDP and ILO, stakeholders, and potential partners; • Participate in regular internal progress meetings, including with project stakeholders;and • Participate in training events, and communities of practice, as well as codify and share knowledge.

D. Support to Development of Policy, Technical Support & Analysis (20%) • Support the effective provision of policy and technical support services focusing on the achievement of Country Programme results; • Support to undertake literature review research of employment and social protection related policies, legislation, institutions, strategies/action plans, practices and procedures to keep abreast of the social protection trends, priorities and impacts in Malaysia; • Assist in providing technical support and substantive inputs to the development and preparation of knowledge products; and • Support in drafting research report, thematic fact sheets/papers/reports/policy briefs, etc. to inform targets groups such as government, civil society, private sector, etc.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP Malaysia; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP Malaysia procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP Malaysia in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment

• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP Malaysia’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

development studies, Social Policy, Social Sciences, Sustainable Development, International Relations, Public Policy, Sustainable Studies or other closely related field; a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree; • At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in PWD empowerment work and innovation methodologies; • progressively responsible experience in project management, coordinating, planning, implementing, monitoring, and/or evaluating development programmes and projects with a multilateral international organization, I/NGOs, civil society organizations, and/or government agencies; • Excellent organizational skills with a successful track record of planning and implementing PWDs projects (minimum of two (2) ongoing or completed projects related to PWD engagement); • Proven experience in effective collaboration and partnership development with national counterparts, PWD organizations, government agencies, international organizations, private sector, civil society and/or other development partners; • Experience working with Government ministries/agencies with an in-depth understanding of Malaysia’s development context will be an advantage • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in diversity, equity and inclusion, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.