Writer for Malaysia Innovates Publication 2022- English Language

Consultant Innovation

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

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 –Innovate Malaysia - is timely as the world grapples with a response to a global pandemic and the need to chart new areas of growth.

LINK WITH 12TH MALAYSIA PLAN AND SDGS 2030

The conference’s findings and summaries will be used to inform policies to build a strengthened framework for the innovation ecosystem, in support of the country’s national development priorities and the sustainable development agenda. The conference’s and publication theme is aligned to the 12th Malaysia Plan’s Policy Enabler 2: Accelerating Technology Adoption and Innovation which is one of the four catalytic policy enablers needed to support the achievement of Malaysia’s development target over the next five years and beyond.

This conference and publication will also be aligned primarily with Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Goal 9 or SDG 9) which aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation and SDG and the following targets under Goal 9:

• Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.
• Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities.

The hybrid conference is jointly organized by Accelerator Lab UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam and Research Management Unit from Economics Planning Unit (EPU) under the Prime Minister’s Department. The 2-days conference, themed Malaysia Innovates scheduled to be held on the end of May or June, will be officiated by the EPU’s Minister- YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed. A soft launch to promote the event will be held in early June tentatively. The soft launch will be a virtual event launched by the minister and UNDP representative. The target audience for both event will be the public, including grassroot innovators, B40 entrepreneurs, technopreneurs, start-up ecosystem with participation across various ministries in contribution to the conference implementation.

Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to undertake the writing for the Malaysia Innovates publication and to provide inputs to creative agency for post-conference social media collaterals. The publication is scheduled to be published on the 2-day hybrid Malaysia Innovates Conference which is scheduled to be held in May/June.

Publication Objectives: To promote innovations among civil society, the private sector, the scientific community, UN entities and other stakeholders to be scaled as policy recommendations with government agencies and to attract partnerships from potential investors for commercialization to wider communities. The publication will also facilitate multi-stakeholder collaboration and partnerships through the sharing of information, experiences, best practices.

Target participants for the publication: Decisionmakers and researchers/innovators involved in innovation and economic growth, both in the academia, civil service and the private sector. Contribution for content and sessions host from multiple ministries.

Target audience for publication: General public, innovator and investor network from various ministry and UN entities.

Content: 30 solution stories in dual language- Bahasa Melayu and English- in about 120 pages publication.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will work closely with UNDP Accelerator Lab and EPU Research Management Unit project team members under the oversight of UNDP and the direct supervision of designated UNDP personnel. The consultant will work in collaboration with Government officials, UN Agencies, development partners, technical advisors and experts, civil society, and the private sector, where necessary to document the innovations on three thematic areas- A) Green sustainable cities, B) MSME resilience; C) Agriculture and food security

The scope of work for this assignment will include the following key functions:

• Writing up of the publication in the form of a magazine, drawing from primary and secondary data sources of innovation efforts in Malaysia;
• Supporting the team’s gathering of information and impact stories if and where necessary, e.g., from grassroots and local communities;
• Consult with identified subject matter experts and stakeholders to validate innovations.
• Provide highlights and excepts of the content of the publication to creative agency for purpose of post-conference socialization in UNDP and our partners network.

Methodology

The methodology for the assignment will include:

1. Analysis and writing based on interviews, focus groups, and other mixed-method rapid information gatherings to document the different stories on the innovation including challenges and future plans;
2. Desk review, as well as review and analysis of primary and secondary data and related information on innovators and their innovations impact.

UNDP will support information gathering by facilitating interactions with relevant ministries eg. MOSTI etc and innovators, and making available documentation to attract strategic partnerships, collaboration and scaling opportunities in the innovation ecosystem.

Specific Task Assignments, Expected Results and Qualifications

Draft publication:

• Develop a draft publication with descriptions and stories of the innovation, their impact, challenges faced and the future envisioned;
  1. The report should include innovations from multi-sector, cross ministries and stakeholders from different level of pockets of society.
  2. The documentation should take in the perspective of the innovators as much as possible and provide an overview on its impact and role in the overall ecosystem.
  3. The publication should highlight successes and lessons learnt, identify gaps in the innovation system and recommend future aspirations for the nation.
• Present the draft publication to UNDP and other key stakeholders to validate the information and agree on representation of the stories;

Final publication:

• Finalized publication based on feedback and input from UN and other stakeholders.

Deliverables

The contract and payments will be performance-based and assessed by UNDP Malaysia. For payment in instalments, certification of satisfactory performance at each phase of key deliverable is required. Timing of specific activities will be discussed and agreed between UNDP and the consultant.

No.

Deliverables

Timelines

Percentages

1.

Upon satisfactory submission and acceptance of first draft on the Malaysia Innovates Publication.

30 April 2022

20%

2.

Upon satisfactory submission and acceptance of final Malaysia Innovates Publication and post-conference socialization assets for social media.

30 June 2022

80%

Financial Proposal

Specify a lump sum fee that is all-inclusive and takes into account various expenses the candidate expects to incur during the contract, including:

• The daily professional fee;
• Communications, utilities and consumables; and
• Life, health and any other insurance

Competencies

Corporate

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s vision, mission, and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity, and adaptability;
• Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity; and
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Technical

• Capable of working efficiently, dependable, and strong attention to detail;
• Familiarity with economics, innovation and development terminology and concepts, is an advantage;
• Demonstrated commitment to the timely delivery of projects; and
• Ability to maintain high-quality of work while meeting tight deadlines and short turn-around times.

Functional

• Client orientation and strong communication skills;
• Capable of working in a high-pressure environment with short deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously;
• Exercise the highest level of responsibility and be able to handle confidential.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in social science, humanities, science, development, innovation or a related area (background in Anthropology, Language, Literature, History, Media and/or Cultural Studies will be an advantage); and

Experience

• At least 1 year of experience (3 years or more will be an advantage) in research or journalism, demonstrating competency in publication of public- and community-oriented articles, papers, reports or equivalent publications;
• Evidence of writing for a general, non-expert readership will be an advantage (e.g., blogging, journalism, creative writing and rapporteuring);
• Knowledge of and/or experience in community work, start-ups, social enterprises and/or innovation programmes will be an advantage;
• Experience in community/grassroots engagement will be an advantage;
• Excellent discursive writing and general written communication skills;
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Malay; and
• Ability to write high-quality publications;
• Strong motivation and ability to work and deliver under short deadlines.

Language requirements

Excellent command of English and Bahasa Malaysia (verbal and written proficiency). Working knowledge of any other Malaysian language(s) is an advantage

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

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

1. Document 1: Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
2. Document 2: Cover page (max. 2 pages) how candidate’s qualification and experience makes them suitable for the work and can lead towards the successful deliverable of the objectives of this consultancy within the required timeframe;
3. Document 3: Please provide a maximum of three (3) samples of written work recently undertaken
4. Document 4: Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. If an applicant is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the applicant must indicate at this point and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.
5. Document 5: Personal CV or P11 indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references
6. Please submit this information in one file as Document 1, 2, 3, and 4. The system will only accept ONE (1) attachment, please merge all documents and submit them as one file.
7. Applicants must reply to the mandatory questions asked by the system when submitting the application.
8. Candidates who fail to submit all the information requested above will be disqualified.

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 (refer to below link);
• Click the ‘apply’ icon and complete what is required;
• Scan all documents into 1 (One) pdf folder and then upload;
• For clarification questions, please email [email protected]. The clarification question deadline is three (3) days before the closing. When emailing for clarification questions, please put "MyIC/2022/010" as the subject matter.

General terms & conditions to be downloaded:

• The General Terms & Conditions for Individual contract

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

• The General Terms & Conditions for Reimbursement Loan Agreement

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

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight 50%

* Financial Criteria weight 30%

* Interview 20%

Technical Evaluation (50%)

Qualification, Experience and Technical Proposal (50 marks):

1. General Qualification (15 marks);
2. Relevant Experience and Knowledge (35 marks);

Financial Evaluation (30%):

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Interview (20%):

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview (virtual) to ascertain suitability and areas of interest.

Note:

1. Incomplete applications will not be considered for shortlisting. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview. The interview date will be informed to the shortlisted candidates directly.
2. 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.

Apply now

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org