Call for Experts: DRRS Malaysia - Integrated landscape development using Nature Based Solutions

Background

In December 2021, Peninsular Malaysia experienced severe flooding. At the Malaysian government’s request, the Netherlands deployed a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) team in September 2022 to assess the situation. The team identified a strong national ambition to transition from reactive to proactive flood and drought management, though external input seemed needed to achieve this shift. The DRR team proposed a pilot project to explore strategies blending structural (grey and green) and non-structural measures. Sabak Bernam, part of the Bernam river basin, was selected for its mix of agriculture, villages, and peatland but faces stagnating socio-economic development. Potentially a second pilot location will be added to the scope around the Klang river. Selangor state aims to boost the region through eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture, requiring a unified vision that integrates economic growth with improved flood and drought resilience. Both federal and state governments are exploring innovative nature-based solutions like coastal reservoirs and sponge city concepts to enhance disaster preparedness and water management. Now that Malaysian stakeholders seem ready to bring this initiative to the next level, additional guidance from the DRRS programme is likely to be effective.

Key Malaysian partners in this are the Ministry for Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) which is an agency under the oversight of PETRA tasked with research and development related to water resources and hydrology in Malaysia and DID (Division of irrigation and Drainage).

For more elaborate background, the DRRS report of 2022 can be reviewed on our website (https://english.rvo.nl/files/file/2023-10/DRR-Team-Malaysia-Mission-Rep…).

Objectives and scope

The objective is to support the Malaysian stakeholders (NAHRIM, PETRA, DID and possibly others), in their process towards vision development for integral flood resilience and water security,  leading to implementing an integrated landscape approach based on nature based solutions in the pilot zone(s). 
The scope is continuously being revised and improved. Leading terms will be the support to develop a vision and integrated approach and to allow nature based solutions to be the foundation of any solution process.  

Activities

• Analysis of the reports and data sources available.
• Coordination with Malaysian stakeholders, EKN, RVO and between the individual DRRS team members. Both before, during and after deployment.
• Organize an extensive workshop in Malaysia involving all relevant levels of government and institutions. This includes organizing structure and set-up of workshop upfront of visit to Malaysia.
• Provide input to write and finalize the report after return from the deployment.

Deliverables 

• Workshop in Malaysia aiming to facilitate:
  • A joint vision for the pilot area(s)
  • Agreement on main problems to address in the pilot catchments
  • Agreement on shared goals for the catchments
  • Development of an appropriate governance structure
• Dissemination through relevant (social) media to local stakeholders and DRR community
• Final DRRS report, based on DRRS template (to be provided), with the Malaysian stakeholders as primary audience.

Required expertise

Based on the available information, the selected team leader should ideally comply with the following description:

General requirements (applicable for all for all team members):  

• Able to rapidly assess situations and data and provide conceptual and practical solutions;
• Experience in and knowledge of the local/regional context;
• Ability to be a relevant sparring partner for the local officials and to provide feedback on the existing plans and ideas, as well as provide input for suitable alternatives;
• Excellent presentation and reporting skills in English;
• Good communication skills in English;
• Familiarity and practical experience with complex (governance) systems;
• Experience with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) is an asset.

 

Team leader (TL) requirements: (already recruited in scoping phase)

River hydraulics and hydrology expert: (already recruited in scoping phase)

Integrated water resources management expert:  

• Senior expert on IWRM;
• Senior expert on interpolation and extrapolation of hydrological data;
• Experience with Nature Based Solutions.

 

Governance expert:  

• Senior expert on governance models able to oversee and explain the different models applied in various countries;
• Expertise on the region/country and its governance model, the various institutions and their responsibilities;
• Access to local relevant stakeholders and institutions.

 

Socio-economic development expert:  

• Senior expert socio economic development models and pathways;
• Experience in economic development with regard to spatial planning on a strategic level in the phase of vision development for a region;
• Expertise on the region/country;
• Access to local relevant stakeholders and institutions.

 

Landscape architecture expert:

• Senior landscape architect with experience in Nature-based Solutions and water related challenges
• Experience with landscape approaches, vision development and facilitating and organising workshops related to these themes
• Experience and/or familiarity with hydrological integrated design, adaptivity, ecological restoration, stakeholder process and governance structures;  

 

Tentative deployment is from 10th to 17th of may 2025 and some time for preparation and finalization before and after deployment. Total expected input is 12 days between april and june 2025.

Candidates' CVs will be evaluated based on qualifications sent through based on the order in which they have been submitted.

If you are interested in one of the positions, please respond as soon as possible, but at the latest before wednesday 9th of April before COB via drrs@rvo.nl. Please send your CV, the position you are interested in, a short motivation and discuss your availability in your message.

We strongly encourage a diverse set of candidates to apply, as we are committed to fostering gender diversity and inclusion in DRRS. Moreover, we stimulate national experts to become part of our database and to apply for vacancies. Please visit our website and become part of our network.

At RVO we are fully committed to creating a safe and respectful work environment. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment (PSEAH). All deployees/experts must adhere to the Code of Conduct, which outlines ethical standards and behaviors expected within our organization. Successful candidates will be required to uphold these principles and participate in mandatory PSEAH and CoC training as part of their onboarding process.