Position: Consultant for CSO Networks Assessment & Thematic Studies (The NGO Forum on Cambodia)__Deadline:22-March

Location:  Phnom Penh

 

“CSO Networks Assessment & Thematic Studies (Green PFM, Tax, Investment, Procurement)
Assessment for 6 CSO Networks + Research on Green PFM, Tax Equity, Investment Climate, Procurement Transparency
BWG - ACWG - A2I - W4All - SP4AL - I-SAF | 4 Policy Briefs | Evidence-Based Advocacy
Location:    Cambodia, Phnom Penh-based preferred
Duration:    April 1–May 31, 2026 (20 working days)

1.    Background     The NGO Forum on Cambodia (NGOF), established in the 1980s, is a membership-based organization with ~70 member NGOs and 240 partners, promoting rights-based, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable development in Cambodia. NGOF coordinates the Budget Working Group (BWG), a 30-member coalition promoting budget transparency and public participation in public financial management.

The NGO Forum (NGOF), as secretariat of the Budget Working Group (BWG) and in collaboration with the Anti- Corruption Working Group (ACWG), Access to Information (A2I), Women for All (W4All), Social Protection for All (SP4AL), and I-SAF, seeks to strengthen evidence-based advocacy on public finance management (PFM) in Cambodia. Cambodia's PFM landscape faces pressing challenges: limited green budgeting amid climate vulnerabilities (e.g., annual flood damages exceeding $100M), regressive tax structures burdening low-income households (tax-to-GDP ratio
~15%), opaque investment incentives fueling elite capture, and procurement risks in mega-infrastructure. These gaps undermine SDGs 10, 13, and 16, and national commitments like the Public Financial Management Reform Roadmap (2024-2028) and Rectangular Strategy Phase IV.

The NGOF/BWG plays a pivotal role in fostering accountability through data-driven analysis. This TOR addresses two interconnected activities: (i) assessing research needs of the six key working groups to prioritize knowledge gaps and build collective capacity; and (ii) conducting joint (multi-partner collaborations) and individual research on priority themes green PFM, tax equity/justice, investment climate, and public procurement for large-scale infrastructure projects to promote transparency and accountability.
Outputs will integrate with ongoing macro/sectoral budget reviews and citizen budget tools, amplifying advocacy impact for the 2026 national budget cycle and beyond.

2.    Objectives    
2.1    Primary Objective
Identify research priorities across BWG, ACWG, A2I, W4All, SP4AL, and I-SAF, then deliver targeted research outputs to support advocacy on sustainable and transparent public finance.

2.2    Specific Objectives
a.    Map research gaps and capacities of partner groups.
b.    Identify key research agendas/priorities to be conducted by each WG at later stages and produce actionable research output/results usable for CSO capacity building and advocacy on green PFM, tax equity/justice, investment climate, and public procurement transparency.

3.    Scope of Work    
The Scope of Work includes two components: (i) Research Needs Assessment, and (ii) Joint and Individual Research. Deliver all outputs within 2 months (April 1-May 31, 2026), with bi-weekly progress reports to NGOF/BWG. Adhere to ethical standards, including informed consent and data anonymization.

3.1    Research Needs Assessment
Map knowledge gaps, capacities, and priorities across BWG, ACWG, A2I, W4All, SP4AL, and I-SAF.
a.    Consultations (surveys, interviews, (2) meetings/workshops with 20+ representatives (5/group minimum), kickoff and prioritization participants.
b.    Deliverables: 10–15-page gap analysis report, capacity matrix, 5-10 recommendations.

3.2    Joint and Individual Research
Produce evidence-based outputs on four themes via joint (≥2 partners/theme) and consultant-led efforts. Each includes
≥8 interviews, 1-2 case studies, and quantitative analysis using public datasets. Outputs: 4 policy briefs (5–8 pages each with visuals); advocacy tools (checklists/scorecards) for CSO capacity building.

Theme	Key Focus	Methods
Green PFM (Climate Tagging)	Budgets for resilience (e.g., floods).	Interviews; case studies; expenditure analysis.
Tax Equity/Justice (Progressivity)	Regressive impacts (tax-to-GDP ~15%).	Interviews; incidence modeling.
Investment Climate (FDI Transparency)	Opaque incentives/elite capture.	Interviews; case studies; incentive review.
Public Procurement (Infrastructure)	Mega-project risks.	Interviews; contract analysis; risk framework.

Incorporate gender/climate lenses; finalize by Month two with dissemination workshop.

4.    Consultancy Role & Responsibilities

a.    Lead Researcher: Design/implement methodology; conduct consultations; analyze data; draft all outputs.
b.    Facilitator: Coordinate joint research with partners; lead meetings/interviews.
c.    Advocacy Support: Develop user-friendly tools (e.g., checklists, scorecards) for CSO use.
d.    Consultant works remotely (Phnom Penh-based preferred); 20 working days total. NGOF provides background docs, partner intros, venue for meetings/workshops.

5.    Methodologies & Budget    
5.1    Methodologies
Mixed Methods: Qualitative (semi-structured interviews, workshops); quantitative (Excel/Stata/R for modeling, e.g., tax incidence, expenditure tracking).
Data Sources: Public (MEF: Ministry of Economy and Finance, NIC: National Investment Council, PPD: Public- Private Dialogue); primary (surveys ~20 respondents, interviews ~5 officials/NGOs).
Tools: KoboToolbox/Google Forms (surveys); Zoom (virtual); NVivo/Excel (analysis). Quality: Triangulation; peer review by BWG; gender/climate disaggregation.

5.2    Budget
Total: US$12,500 (incl. 10% VAT). NGOF covers meeting/ workshop logistics/venue/refreshments separately.

Item	Amount (US$)	Notes
Research Needs Assessment	2,500	Consultations, analysis (NGOF cover meeting/ workshop/ logistics).
Joint/Individual Research (4 themes)	10,000	Interviews, case studies, 4 policy briefs report + advocacy tools.
Subtotal	12,500	Covers incentives tools, graphics.

6.    Administrative Arrangements and Logistics    
a.    Contract: Fixed-term (April 1–May 31, 2026);
b.    Coordination: Weekly calls with NGOF focal point (Ms. Chhay Tola, ngof@ngoforum.org.kh).
c.    Logistics: NGOF covers meeting/workshop venue/refreshments (Phnom Penh); consultant handles virtual tools/incentives.
d.    Travel: None reimbursed; local candidates preferred.
e.    IP/Confidentiality: NGOF owns all outputs; Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) required.

7.    Timelines and Deliverables 

#	Deliverable Outputs	Detailed Tasks	Primary Responsible	Support/ Review	Timelin e	Workin g Days
1	Consultant Onboarding	-  Sign contract -  Kickoff meeting with NGOF/BWG -  Review background docs	Consultant	NGOF Secretariat	April 1- 5, 2026	N/A
2	Analysis Outline	-  Develop detailed methodology for needs assessment -  Outline research plans for 4 themes (joint/individual) -  Workplan, risk log, partner consultation schedule	Consultant (lead drafting)	NGOF & BWG (inputs/approva l)	April 6- 10, 2026	3

3	Partner Data Collection	-  Administer surveys/interviews to ≥8 reps from BWG/ACWG/A2I/W4All/S P4AL/I-SAF -  Conduct meeting/workshop (1 virtual, 1 in-person Phnom Penh)	Consultant (facilitation/dat a gathering)	BWG (partner outreach/logisti cs)	April 20- 24, 2026	3
4	1st Draft Report	-  Needs assessment section (gaps/capacities) -  Draft chapters on 4 themes (prelim data/analysis) -  Include visuals, exec summary	Consultant (full drafting)	NGOF (data validation)	April 27–May 1, 2026	5
5	Findings Presentation & 2nd Draft	-  Prepare PPT (20 slides) for feedback session -  Incorporate comments from NGOF/partners	Consultant (presentation/r evision)	NGOF & Partners (feedback)	May 4- 6, 2026	2
6	FINAL 15- 20 Page Report (Khmer/Eng lish Summary) + 4 Policy Briefs	-  Polish full report with policy recs, annexes -  Translate 5-page exec summary to Khmer -  Finalize 4 theme-specific policy briefs	Consultant (finalization)	NGOF (quality check)	May 11- 15, 2026	5
7	Multi- Stakeholder Workshop Presentation	-  Deliver 1-day workshop -  Facilitate discussions/Q&A (costs/logistics covered by NGOF)	Consultant (presentation/f acilitation)	NGOF & BWG (venue/attendee s)	May 18- 22, 2026	1
8	Assignment Finalization (incl. Advocacy Toolkit)	-  Handover: Raw data, editable files, CSO advocacy toolkit (checklists/scorecards) -  Final invoice/report	Consultant (compilation)	NGOF (closure approval)	May 25- 31, 2026	1
Total		-			April 1– May 31, 2026	20

 

8.    Selection Criteria     
Qualifications (Mandatory)

• Advanced degree (Master's/PhD) in Public Finance, Economics, Development Studies, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years professional experience in PFM research/consulting in Cambodia.
• Proven track record working with Cambodian CSOs, preferably BWG, ACWG, A2I, W4All, SP4AL, or I-SAF.
• Fluency in Khmer and English (speaking, reading, writing).
• Demonstrated skills in quantitative analysis (e.g., Stata, R, and Excel for econometric modeling).

9.    Reporting    

• Weekly updates to NGOF Secretariat. Editable formats; NGOF retains full IP.

Submit to: job@ngoforum.org.kh.
Required Documents:

1. Technical proposal (≤10 pages: approach, milestones, samples).
2. Financial proposal (separate).
3. CV, cover letter, 2 references

Please send CV and cover letter to
Email:      job@ngoforum.org.kh
Phone:    023 214 429
Website: https://www.ngoforum.org.kh/employment-ngof
Please mention "www.Cambodiajobs.Biz" where you saw the ad when you apply!