UNDP in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam works closely with the Ministry of Finance Malaysia to support the design and implementation of local sustainable development solutions that are integrated and impactful, and can be scaled-up and replicated across Malaysia and other regions; targeting local and indigenous, and vulnerable communities and other beneficiaries, which may have challenges in accessing benefits from government/civil society/private sector-led initiatives.

As announced in the Malaysia’s Budget Speech 2022, UNDP is implementing a Sustainable Tourism project to address the impacts of COVID pandemic on the domestic tourism sector in particular, micro-, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) businesses, and community-based enterprises.

The project which will be implemented until June 2024 aims to complement existing government-led initiatives by focusing on building the resilience of community and MSME businesses through interventions in 2 focus areas:

Increased resilience and risk management of micro, small and medium-enterprises & tour operators; and  a sustainable and responsible ecotourism framework has been formulated and piloted at the community level.

The 3 project sites are:

• Mersing, Johor
• Manjung, Perak
• Setiu, Terengganu

There are two main project components and the corresponding outputs are as follows:

Component 1: Increased resilience and risk management of micro, small and medium-enterprises & tour operators 

• Output 1.1: An enabling environment for good governance in decision-making to support ecotourism development is established
• Output 1.2: Increased capacity to manage risk and develop business continuity strategies
• Output 1.3: Partnership activities conducted along local tourism value chain e.g. attractions, accommodations, products and Services

Component 2: A sustainable and responsible ecotourism framework has been formulated and piloted at the community level. 

• Output 2.1: Pilot of local sustainable tourism packages implemented.
• Output 2.2: Capacity of community operators on hospitality, waste management and tour guiding skills built.

Therefore, UNDP seeks to engage a competent Project Associate to assist UNDP in the implementation, coordination and monitoring of the project. The Project Associate will be based in Putrajaya, and required to liaise with the respective project site and assist in liaison with stakeholders, managing and monitoring the execution of activities onsites and other coordination required while working with other team members.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Director (Head of Inclusive Growth and Prosperity, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam) and Project Manager (Development Economist, Inclusive Growth and Prosperity, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam)  and in close interaction with UNDP team and with the respective Local Council and District Office in his/her area of assignment, the core functions of the Project Associate will include the following area:

1. Provide Support to Management and Coordination: Support the Project Manager in the Sustainable Tourism Project and related projects 

• Assist in managing and coordinating the implementation of ST project activities to ensure the maintenance of quality and timeliness, and delivery of outputs, across stakeholders.
• Under the advice of the supervisors, maintain close contact with designated colleagues from UNDP and other stakeholders.
• Being proactively involved in the preparation of relevant knowledge products and reports including minutes of meetings, or publication.
• Support in the coordination and substantive responsibility for UNDP’s involvement in the project activities in all project sites
• Ensure efficient operation of the UNDP’s Prosperity Pillar including finding synergy across other UNDP projects and UN agencies
• Solicit and ensure that the requisite budget allocations are available in accordance with the agreed budget
• Assist in monitoring project budgets, funds and resources according to the UNDP guidelines. Strict adherence to UNDP financial regulation and regulation is expected.
• Comply with the required procurement procedures and the necessary documentation needed

2. Technical Support: Support in providing technical inputs, research and advisory services in the design of activities and initiatives and to ensure efficient outcome and service delivery; 

• Assist in reviewing progress reports and providing inputs in strengthening reports narrative from partners  (grantees, government etc) including project indicators, targets and ST framework where applicable.
• Research and extraction of data from various sources.
• Provide written inputs for assigned tasks including Orang Asli/Asal white paper or policy review           With guidance from the supervisors, explore potential opportunities for:
  • Inclusive growth and decent work areas that also taps into new sources of economic growth and strategies to the Future of Work trends and digital economy.
  • Support the adoption of corporate practices that are aligned to SDGs and international standards of upholding principles of inclusiveness, transparency, accountability and sustainability while promoting economic development
  • Promote competitive, sustainable and inclusive urban development that supports social and economic well-being for the population

3.Strategic Partnership: Support in developing strategic partnership with relevant stakeholders to advance the Sustainable Tourism project and related projects 

• Support in organizing conversation with Government and non Government stakeholders in promoting ST project
• Build and foster partnerships with other stakeholders for the purpose of achieving ST project outcome and outputs
• Co-promote integrated and cross-practice partnerships across various projects and stakeholders inline with UNDP’s NextGen programming approach, Area-based Programming, Future ready Malaysia and Malaysia in the world.
• Participate in relevant internal and/or external meetings.

 4. Ensures effective technical administrative services: Lead technical administrative focusing on efficient coordination of meetings, documentation, oversight and M&E is in full compliance with Corporate requirements.

• Contacts with stakeholders/visitors and project personnel, arrangement of appointments and meetings, acting as an interpreter when required and/or taking minutes.
• Compilation and preparation of briefing and presentation materials, speeches, background information and documentation for meetings and missions.
• Maintenance of records/ documents/ files relating to the project in a user-friendly manner
• Be responsible for assigned correspondence and other admin tasks especially related to technical
• Administrative support to conferences, workshops, retreats, seminars & meetings
• Assistance in proper control of supporting documents for payments and financial reports, in close consultation with administrative (ST project assistant and unit’s programme associate)
• Check related forms delivered by Implementing partners/Responsible Parties for completion before submitting to the administrative support for verification
• Follow up on deadlines, commitments made, actions taken and coordination of collection and submission of the reports to supervisor.
• Assistance in the preparation of budget, provision of information for audit.

 5. Institutional Arrangement

The position is under direct supervision of the Development Economist of Inclusive, Growth and Prosperity in UNDP Multi-Country Office (CO) in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam,

Core Competencies :

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Business Management  – Project Management 

Ability to plan, organise, prioritise and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business Management  – Partnership Management

Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide  networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and  private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

 Business Management – Monitoring

Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

Administration & Operations – Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings) 

Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc. 

Procurement – Procurement management 

The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source. 

Finance – Budget management 

Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.