Project Coordinator (Malaysia Innovates National Conference 2022)

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.

UNDP provides policy and technical advisory support to the Government of Malaysia in accordance to the current Country Programme Action Plan as approved by the Cabinet based on the relevant years. The current Country Programme Action Plan, now extended to 2021 is aligned to the development priorities of the 11th Malaysia Plan with sustainable human development agenda at the forefront, underpinned by three priority areas: (a) inclusive development and growth; (b) sustainable and resilient development; and (c) governance.

The Government of Malaysia (GoM) believes in investing in Malaysia’s abilities and in harnessing its inherent capacity, to create its own development solutions. Thus, GoM is the primary investor in Research and Development (R&D) in the country through its annual Development Expenditure (DE) budgetary allocations. R&D investments that are locally produced, innovative, game-changing, scalable, applicable, safe, impactful and can provide a long-term solution post COVID-19 and for increasing the growth and development of the economy. This conference takes a broad policy perspective on Commercialization and Innovation (C&I) policy and practices, based on experiences drawn from the country’s innovation systems and that of advanced economies, with a particular focus on investment incentives, networks and platforms for higher rates of technical and social innovations to be scaled up for the public’s benefit.

State-of-the art and on-the-ground perspectives on the challenge of creating well-functioning C&I systems and policies in other countries will be discussed via dialogues between experts, innovators, practitioners and executives from multinational companies, academic institutions and government agencies. Focus will be on overcoming structural challenges in the ecosystem and how to promote successful interactions between the triad ‘State, Science and Society’ in the process of solving the people’s problems and generating new sources of economic growth. A publication on the innovative solutions in Malaysia will be produced as a result of this conference engagement. It will be published as a special edition of an online magazine, showcasing how young Malaysians are resourcefully helping fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The magazine –Malaysia Innovates - is timely as the world grapples with a response to a global pandemic and the need to chart new areas of growth.

Hence, the objective of this assignment is to manage the communication and advocacy of the project for Economic Planning Unit (EPU) - UNDP Malaysia on Phase 1 of Strengthening Research and Innovation Ecosystem that involves a 2-days hybrid National Innovation Conference titled Malaysia Innovates around end of June. A soft launch event is scheduled tentatively in early June to promote the official conference. The project will be developing a publication titled Malaysia Innovates to document the innovations from various stakeholders, which will be socialised post-conference to inspire the public and attract strategic partnerships and investment from the private sectors. The communications consultant will work closely with the event management company, writers and creative agencies, to effectively communicate the event and meet the objectives of the project.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of Solutions Mapping or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Project Coordinator will:

• In consultation with the project team in UNDP and EPU, develop and advise concept and strategy for the soft launch, conference in March, the actual conference in May/June and the publication. • Coordination with UNDP focal point to engage relevant stakeholders and consolidate relevant details and content for the soft launch, the actual event and publication. • Coordination with participating government ministries, agencies and external parties including private sectors, academia and CSOs for arrangements on panels speakers, breakout sessions and publication content. • Working hand-in-hand with the project owner, communications associate(s), writers and creative agency and event company to manage implementation timeline and production traffic controller leading up to the soft launch, event and publication. • Produce communications collateral and products (e.g., designs, posters, videos, visual art, audiogrammes and other multimedia) with the creative agencies that will be used to promote Innovate Malaysia conference and publication. • Prepare a final report on the execution of this project, discussing results and lessons learned. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Results/expected outputs:

As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP Malaysia and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

o Develop an inception report with the workplan to execute the project, including the strategy for co-creation, stakeholder engagement, publication and communications plan. Collection of information, preparation/development of content, and liaison with vendors and project team for undertaking mock cover, montage video and other products for soft launch, with minimum 1 press article for press conference and minimum 2 social media posts to socialize the soft launch. o Successful launch of Innovate Malaysia soft launch. o Successful implementation of Innovate Malaysia National Conference in hybrid format, and production of all relevant event collaterals. o Successful publication of Innovate Malaysia and post-conference socialization with relevant social media assets. o Development of final report; including full account of project execution and handover of all project assets (including collateral, stakeholder map, data, and other outputs).

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP 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 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; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the relevant field of innovation, project management and social development work, and • Proven record with diverse groups across geographical location, ability, gender, ethnicity, etc; • Demonstrated ability to convene, cooperate and collaborate, at national, state and local levels; • Well-established networks with non-governmental actors, e.g., national and sub-national NGOs/CSOs (environment, education, arts, etc.), and academia, including grassroot innovators and youth-centred innovations on green cities, MSMEs and food security; • Proven track record in undertaking participatory or co-creative work, including managing community- and user-centred activities; • Evidence of working relationship with government agencies, innovation and academic institutions, entrepreneurs, start-ups, grassroot communities and youth. • An established portfolio of coordinating hybrid conferences, exhibitions, communications material, creative/artistic outputs, or any other co-created media outputs with youth or local community—with high aesthetic quality, production values and layperson-friendliness; • Experience with community engagement and/or participatory work done remotely or under movement restrictions is an advantage; • Experience engaging with regional or international networks, or with policy- and other decision-makers (including but not limited to government stakeholders), is an advantage. • Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.

Malaysia has a tropical climate whereby seasons reflect only variations of rainfall and occur at different times, depending on locations. Daytime temperatures throughout the year are around 30-34 degrees Celsius (900F), night time temperatures are around 26-28 degrees. Owing to the high humidity (60-80%) absolute temperature readings do not reflect the weather situation which is rather dependent on cloud cover and rainfall during daytime. In the highlands, temperatures can fall as low as 100C (500F). Thunderstorms and torrential rainfalls are frequent but Malaysia is outside the typhoon and cyclone belt.

Cost of living is lower compared to Singapore, and there is a large community of expatriates living and working in Kuala Lumpur (KL). Public transport is widely well established, modern infrastructure particularly in Putrajaya and central KL. Taxis or e-hailing services are used in and around larger cities but it is difficult to get a taxi during rush hours. The Express Rail Link (ERL) provides non-stop journey, in 28 minutes, between the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to KL Sentral, the country’s rail transport nucleus.

Malaysia has a highly advanced communication infrastructure. Landlines for home and business are available almost everywhere in the country. Broadband and wireless internet services are accessible in KL and other major cities.

Most banks in Malaysia provide online banking services, besides issuance of charge cards and insurance products, and the convenience of online bill payments. ATMs/cash dispensers offer a convenient way of withdrawing money on a credit or debit card. Most banks have these machines and all major cards are accepted.

Credit cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels. A local credit card can be arranged. Foreign currency can be exchanged at change booths which are located in most shopping centres, or at money exchange shops in town and in hotels.

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 Volunteer Specialist receives approximately MYR 3,013.58 as Monthly Living Allowance. -Provided with assignment travel cost and entry lumpsum if applicable. -Enrolled in health, life, disability insurance. -Applicable dependents (primary family unit, up to 3) are eligible for health insurance. -Entitled to annual leave, 2.5 days per month. -Provided with exit lumpsum to support transition at the end of assignment.

For more information about UNV Conditions of Service and Entitlements, please refer to the following:

-https://www.unv.org/become-volunteer/volunteer-your-country -https://www.unv.org/sites/default/files/unvpf/UNVcos2021%20Complete%20hi-res-final_compressed_30.08.2021.pdf