The ISAF has been implemented since 2016. This has helped to increase the transparency and accountability of key public services through, for example, the public posting and dissemination of information for citizens about primary education, health care and commune services. Citizen’s awareness of their rights and service standards have been raised through public outreach and other activities. ISAF Phase II still focuses on improving the performance of public service providers through improved transparency, strengthened citizen engagement and responsive action with the objective to scale up ISAF to all communes/Sangkats. It also introduces some important innovations such as the expansion of ISAF to all rural communes; the extension of ISAF to new services including District Municipality Khan (DMK), water supply and sanitation, solid waste management, land management and other services based on function transfer to SNAs; integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), digital solutions and innovations to reach a larger number of citizens; measures to increase the implementation of the Joint Accountability Action Plans; and institutionalization and enhanced sustainability of ISAF processes.
The recent mid-term review for the two ongoing World Bank-supported operations supporting ISAF also collected substantial anecdotal evidence of how the provision of information to citizens is creating a new dynamic and having an energizing effect on communities, encouraging citizens to provide feedback on the quality of services, facilitating dialogue between citizens and service providers on service performance, and leading to improvements in services as well as increased trust between citizens and service providers.1
The RGC’s plan is to extend ISAF to sectors within which the RGC has transferred functions from the national to the local level, including the district administration level, and service delivery areas that citizens prioritize. To support the extension plan, in 2019, HEKS/EPER has initiated to extend the ISAF to the land sector, primarily land registration including transfer of ownership, land conflict mediation/resolution. This was supported through a pilot project in Kampong Chhnang and Pursat provinces implemented through HEKS/EPER’s partner Star Kampuchea. An external evaluation on the impact of the pilot ISAF on land service was done in 2022. Findings from the evaluation and ongoing monitoring indicate that some principal benefits of this extension of ISAF to land have included: 1) strong stakeholder support for the piloting of the social accountability tool on land;
2) the ISAF process has so far proceeded smoothly, with demand-side actors expressing hope for tangible service improvements and supply-side actors expressing strong commitment; 3) positively impacted attitudes and behaviour, greater opportunities for community members to exercise their rights and improved accountability and responsiveness of local authorities; 4) provided inputs/suggestions for district development plans and helped line offices define their services to citizens and find ways to improve them through the ISAF process;
5) contributed to transforming citizens' perceptions of the role and responsibilities of district authorities; and 6) high satisfaction among project participants with the project and its working approach.
Cambodia is ranked 149th out of 180 countries for vulnerability and readiness to adapt to climate change.2 Floods and droughts are increasing year by year. With an average per capita income of $321 in rural areas, poverty is still prominent. With 24.4% of GDP (MAFF annual report 2021) still coming from agriculture and 76% of Cambodia’s 16.5 million people living in rural areas, mostly relying on climate- sensitive sectors, climate resilient farming is of crucial importance. Rice, the main crop, is very sensitive to climate variation. Cassava, also widely grown, is expected to experience greater exposure to pests and diseases, and rainfed upland crops like maize and soybean are predicted to suffer from longer drought periods, flooding, and higher temperatures. Perennial tree crops are expected to be impacted similarly. HEKS/EPER’s and Caritas Switzerland’s Nurturing temperature resilience in Cambodia (Nurture) project addresses climate resilience of smallholder farmers using a systemic approach addressing a range of problems associated with financial, technical, institutional and informational gaps, which are preventing farmers from transitioning to greater levels of resilience. The project’s overall goal is that “Vulnerable smallholder farming households and their communities are more resilient to climate change and have increased incomes through climate proofing of agroecological farming systems”.
The Nurture Project intend to build on HEKS/EPER and STAR Kampuchea's experience with extending ISAF to the land sector by further exploring the potential expansion of ISAF coverage to include services related to water, agriculture and climate change adaptation more broadly. This may also include other approaches to improve social accountability planning and policies related to climate change adaptation, which address to outcome 2 of the Nurture project that “Vulnerable smallholder farmers and their communities benefit from improved social accountability planning and policies related to climate change adaptation”. In line with ISAF’s overall vision, the purpose of the extension will be to increase the transparency of the provision of public services in this sector and to strengthen the voice of citizens in climate change adaptation and resilience at SNA level. The Nurture Project is recruiting a consultant to assist in this process and conduct an in- depth assessment in the provinces that the project is working in.
1. Objectives and scope of the consultancy
The specific objectives of the required consultancy services are as follows:
1) To assess the ongoing/planned transfer of functions from the national to the local level (including the district administration level) on climate-sensitive sectors, as well as laws and other policies
2) To understand current practices of the sub-national authorities and relevant stakeholders on climate change adaptation, especially water governance, DRR, and climate resilient agriculture, map and assess existing climate change adaptation practices and services, and gaps
3) To identify the areas for the provision of government services that can strengthen climate resilience and incorporated into the Implementation of the Social Accountability Framework (ISAF)
4) To provide concrete policy and recommendations for strengthening social accountability planning and policies related to climate change adaptation in Cambodia, specifically in the Nurture target area.
Timeline of Assessment:
The assessment will be conducted from June 2024 and completed by July 2024 in the four target provinces of the Nurture project – Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear and can also include visits to neighboring provinces if there are initiatives there worth observing.
|
Descriptions |
Roles and responsibilities |
Timeline |
|
Consultant recruitment |
Nurture, HEKS/EPER and Caritas Switzerland |
27th – 31st May 24 |
|
Service agreement signed |
Nurture, HEKS/EPER and Caritas Switzerland |
3rd June 24 |
|
Conduct Assessment (Inception, Data collection and Reporting) |
Consultant Team |
4th June –the end of July 24 |
This consultancy will follow a participatory approach with mixed secondary and primary data collection methods, including focus group discussions and key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders (e.g. relevant ministries, government departments, local authorities, (I)NGOs and other relevant actors). A desk review of all relevant laws and Prakas related to the existing ISAF tools, the planned extension of ISAF to other areas and other projects related to social accountability, and the transfer of roles and responsibilities from national to sub-national authorities, especially at the district level, will be conducted. The desk review might include screening other relevant secondary literature, such as assessments, studies, and reports. The consultant will work closely with Nurture project team in Siem Reap office and target provinces, who will support data collection and coordination. The project wants to have the project staff members engaged in the process as an important learning opportunity for them. Additional data collectors or enumerators will therefore not need to be arranged by the consultant.
3. Deliverables
By the end of assessment, the deliverables expected to receive from consultant are as indicated in the below:
|
Deliverables |
Forms |
Timeframe |
|
Service Agreement signed upon the submission and acceptance of ToR, budget and timeline/timeframe |
MS Word/PDF |
3rd June 2024 |
|
Final Inception Report Timeframe detailing activities, schedule, work plan and number of days for desk research, FGDs and KII |
MS Word/PDF |
One week after signing the service contract |
|
Final Assessment Report:
|
MS Word/PDF/ PPT |
The end of July 2024 |
The assessment is expected to start on 3rd June 2024 and be completed by the end of July 2024. For the process of payment, the instalment is divided into three stages as follows:
|
Milestone |
Detail |
Amount to be paid (%) |
Expected Timeframe |
|
Stage 1 – First instalment |
First instalment will be made when the final inception report is approved by Nurture Team Leader |
20% out of the total budget |
Within 5 working days after approval of inception report |
|
Stage 2 – Second instalment |
Second instalment will be made when Nurture Team received drafted assessment report including the preliminary finding presentation from consultant |
40% out of the total budget |
Within 5 working days after the receipt of draft report from consultant |
|
Stage 3 – Third instalment |
Third instalment will be made when Nurture Team satisfy and approve the final assessment report and other relevant documents as stated in the table of deliverables |
40% out of the total budget |
Within 5 working days after approval from Nurture on the full study report and other deliverables |
The whole assessment process will be led and organized by the external consultant with support from the Nurture project team who will support data collection and the field arrangements. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Nurture Project and will regularly report to the Nurture Project on the progress of the consultancy. The consultant will develop the detailed assessment methodologies, data collection plan, data analysis, report writing and presentation. The consultant will present an overview of the assessment report and the proposed framework for the analysis to the Nurture Project team for internal discussion and recommendations. A consultation meeting with relevant stakeholders may be considered to validate the assessment findings. A similar meeting may be held to consult with stakeholders on the modified ISAF operational guidelines, including the I4C and the guidelines for its use.
The table below shows the roles and responsibilities between the consultant and Nurture project team.
|
Phase |
Roles/ Responsibilities |
Primary Tasks |
|
Inception /Planning phase |
Nurture team |
· Coordinate the collection of information and inputs from Nurture project team as per ToR · Support Nurture project team to coordinate timeline/schedule of assessment · Prepare relevant documents for consultant if needed · Monitor the progress and confirm management team about the payment to consultant |
|
HEKS/EPER Cambodia team |
· Join consultant recruitment · Review the final assessment outline and plan · Provide technical support throughout whole assessment process · Coordinate/link with HEKS's ISAF implementing partner (SK) if needed |
|
|
Consultant team |
· Prepare the initial inception report (methodology, sampling, questionnaire, data collection protocol and timeline planning) · Join the initial meeting with Nurture Team · Finalize the inception report which incorporates responses to inputs from Nurture project team based on feedback and results from the pre-test · Final survey instruments in English and Khmer |
|
|
Data collection and Analysis phase |
Consultant team |
· Consultant team follow the timeline/schedule of data collection · Data desk review relevant documents/project documents · Ensure quality of data collection at the field · Update field work progress to Nurture Project and HEKS/EPER and Caritas - during data collections and end of data collection · Conduct data analysis |
|
Nurture team |
· Nurture Team support the process of data collection – make appointment with respondents, local authority, public and private partners, NGOs |
|
|
and the administration process if need · Monitor field work to make sure the process of data collection is well-managed |
|
|
HEKS/EPER Cambodia team |
· Support consultant to make appointment with HEKS partners · Join field works (if available) · Technical support throughout whole assessment process as needed |
|
|
Assessment Reporting and follow up phase |
Consultant team |
· Draft Assessment Report · Present draft version report to Nurture and HEKS/EPER and Caritas Management Team – Word document and slide presentation · To be accountable for responding the comments and feedback from Nurture Team and HEKS/EPER management team · Conduct validation workshop with concerning partners from National and sub-national level · Finalize the assessment report – Final version word document including the raw data analysis · Consultant does the presentation to Nurture, HEKS/EPER and Caritas |
|
Nurture team |
· Review and provide comments on draft assessment report · Nurture focal person will submit the draft assessment report to HEKS/EPER country office for further review and comments · Nurture Team send the commented draft assessment report to consultant team for the response and keep HEKS/EPER in loop · Process the final payment to consultant · Nurture team share final version assessment report to staff, internal and external stakeholders |
|
|
HEKS/EPER Cambodia team |
· Review drafted assessment report · Provide inputs and feedback on findings of assessment report · Share the final assessment report to SDC, HEKS and Caritas Head Quarters |
- A consultancy will be recruited for this task. The tender is open to individual consultants, consulting firms and other relevant research institutes. The minimum qualifications and experience required are:
- A master’s degree in climate change, agriculture, public administration, laws or other related fields or PhD preferable
- Excellent knowledge in thematic areas such as development, climate change, social accountability, ISAF, and social accountability
- Sound experience with climate-sensitive sectors, climate-resilient agricultural and water governance
- Experience conducting participatory qualitative assessments related to rural development at the community level
- Minimum 10 years of research or relevant professional experiences in conducting assessment in similar geographical and thematic contexts
- Expertise in quantitative and/or qualitative and/or mixed methods approaches, including both data collection and data analysis
- Strong analytical and report writing skills
- Excellent team working and communication skills, flexibility and good organizational skills
- Ability to produce high quality work under tight timeframe
- Write good report and practical recommendations in English
- Availability during the proposed time period.
Applications:
- Express of Interest (EoI) responds to the ToR
- Proposed methodologies including sample size, target respondent selection and recruitment approach, and analysis
- Proposed timelines and a detailed workplan CVs
- Two example reports of similar previous assignments Detailed budget, including daily fee rates, expenses, etc.
Announcement published: 8th May 2024 and deadline: 24th May 24. Only short- listed candidates will be notified. Submitted documents will not be returned.
Please send your application to cambodia@heks-eper.org or at HEKS/EPER Office Cambodia at No. 23, Street 554, Boeng Kok I, Toul Kork, Phnom Penh
Contact for further information 1- Chea Kimthan,
E-mail address: kimthan.chea@heks-eper.org
Tel: 012 334 547
2- Seng Tithkunthy
E-mail address: tithkunthy.seng@heks-eper.org
Tel: +855 12 777 265 (Telegram)
3- Seng Socheata
E-mail address: socheata.seng@heks-eper.org
Tel: +855 12689840 (Telegram)
Please mention "www.Cambodiajobs.Biz" where you saw the ad when you apply!
