Data Development & Partnership Assistant [Open to internal and external app at UNDP

Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

17 Jun, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

19 Mar, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Resource Mobilization, Partnership Development, Data Analytics, Horizon Scanning, Due Diligence, Risk Assessment, Event Facilitation, Stakeholder Engagement, Knowledge Management, Data Ecosystems, Predictive Analytics, Geospatial Data, Business Intelligence, Strategic Planning, Digital Awareness, Data Visualization

Industry

International Affairs

Description

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby: * Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026. * Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments * Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers * Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply. Background UNDP multi-country office of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam provides technical assistance, policy and technical advisory services to the Governments of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, private sector and civil society. In Malaysia, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between Government of Malaysia and UNDP to support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Malaysia Plan. Malaysia is currently implementing the Twelfth Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 (12MP), which is anchored around three key themes namely resetting economy, strengthening security, wellbeing and inclusivity; and advancing sustainability to achieve economic growth and transform Malaysia into a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable country. The role of the Country Office SDG Impact, Innovation and Finance Unit is to adopt UNDP’s global communication strategy to a local context and the Country Office development priorities. Through data driven insights, innovative financing approaches, and strategic partnership development, the SDG Impact, Innovation and Finance Unit works to position UNDP as a catalyst for systemic, future smart development solutions in Malaysia. The Unit strengthens UNDP’s technical leadership by supporting resource mobilization efforts, advancing private sector engagement, and generating knowledge products that inform programming and policy priorities. By integrating research, horizon scanning, stakeholder intelligence, and analytical work, the team supports the Country Office in shaping impactful programme pipelines aligned with national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Unit collaborates closely across thematic pillars—including Inclusive Growth and Prosperity, Governance and Local Development, and Nature, Climate and Energy—as well as with cross cutting functions such as Partnerships, Gender, Monitoring, and Communications. UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary and matrixed arrangements to strengthen horizontal collaboration and ensure a coherent, integrated development response. Duties and Responsibilities Scope of Work Support Resource Mobilization and Partnership Development • Conduct partnership intelligence and market research by horizon scanning trends in the private sector, philanthropy, and high‑net‑worth individuals to identify emerging partnership opportunities and support the development of quarterly analytical briefs. • Support private sector project implementation by contributing to high‑priority initiatives identified in the annual workplan under the supervisor’s guidance. • Carry out due diligence and risk assessment by assisting in the preparation and completion of private sector due diligence packages in alignment with UNDP’s engagement policies and risk management framework. • Provide strategic planning and coordination support by assisting in office‑wide initiatives on resource mobilization and partnership development, including identifying programme offerings and giving technical inputs to strengthen engagement with prospective partners. Support Resource Mobilization and Partnership Event Facilitation • Support the planning and execution of resource mobilization and partnership‑related events by coordinating logistics such as venue arrangements, invitations, participant registration, and post‑event follow‑ups to ensure smooth implementation. • Support stakeholder engagement by contributing to private sector pipeline development, liaising with partners, donors, and other stakeholders to maintain effective communication, and assisting in the creation of content, presentations, and promotional materials to strengthen outreach and visibility. • Provide facilitation support during events by delivering on‑site or virtual assistance such as note‑taking, moderating breakout sessions, managing Q&A discussions, and documenting key outcomes and recommendations to inform future partnership strategies. Strengthen Data Development and Support Knowledge Management • Support the use of innovative and alternative data sources by identifying and engaging non‑traditional data partners such as local communities, media, and civil society, and by leveraging emerging data types including crowdsourced, open‑source, and geospatial data to enrich UNDP’s data ecosystem and enhance policy insights. • Assist in implementing structured horizon scanning by anticipating emerging trends and potential disruptions relevant to UNDP’s work and conducting sense‑making exercises with internal and external stakeholders to validate insights and prioritize signals of high strategic relevance. • Support advanced data analytics and experimentation by piloting innovative methodologies such as predictive analytics and AI‑driven analysis, and by experimenting with unstructured, localized data while ensuring adherence to ethical standards, privacy safeguards, and responsible data governance. • Translate knowledge and strengthen institutional learning by transforming complex data insights into actionable recommendations, supporting communication strategies that enhance data literacy across the Country Office, and managing knowledge repositories and collaterals that effectively socialize UNDP’s achievements and offerings for pipeline development. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. Institutional Arrangement The incumbent will be under the supervision of the Head of SDG Impact and will work closely with the operations team, programme colleagues, UNDP HQ and regional, government counterparts, technical experts, financial institutions, private sector partners, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society to ensure the successful implementation of UNDP programmes. 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 Cross Functional & Technical Competencies Thematic Area Name Definition Business Development Knowledge Generation Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. Administration & Operations Documents and Records Management Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving Business Management Digital Awareness and Literacy Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends. Administration & Operations Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings) Ability to manage events, including identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc Partnership Management Resource mobilization Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements Required Skills and Experience Education: • Secondary education is required. OR • University degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Sustainable Development or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement. Experience: • Minimum of 4 years (with secondary education) or 1 year (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant data analytics, research, partnerships, or programme support within an international development, private sector, or related analytical environment. Required skills : • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required. • Experience in developing and maintaining data ecosystems for international development, business intelligence, strategic planning, or media. Desired skills : • Experience in engaging technology providers or data stewards for data partnership with local issues about data sharing, ecosystems, and political/structural/systemic factors affecting data uptake for development • Experience and knowledge of website management tools and proficiency with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Canva, Flourish, Power BI, or GIS software). • Experience and knowledge of AI, Machine Learning, JavaScript, web scraping, big data, or sentiment analysis. • Experience in facilitating workshops and capacity building sessions. • Experience in quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis, and familiarity with research software (e.g., R, Python, SPSS) Required Language(s) Fluency in English and Bahasa Melayu is required. ** This vacancy is open to Malaysian nationals only. Equal opportunity As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all. Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. Right to select multiple candidates UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. Scam alert UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Responsibilities

The role involves supporting resource mobilization and partnership development through market research, due diligence, and strategic planning, while also facilitating related events and stakeholder engagement activities. Additionally, the assistant will strengthen data development by leveraging innovative data sources, supporting horizon scanning, and translating complex data insights into actionable recommendations for knowledge management.