Request for Proposals - Cambodia Tri-Sectoral Strategy

Job Description

• KEY INFORMATION
  
  Job Title: Request for Proposals - Cambodia Tri-Sectoral Strategy
  Sector: Agriculture
  Position Type: Full-Time
  Duration/Level of Effort: Short-Term
  Position Location: Cambodia
  Duration: June - December 2026
  
  SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
  
  The CAPRED Facility is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience until 2027, with a possible three-year extension. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and implemented by Cowater International, CAPRED supports Cambodia in implementing a range of important economic reforms to support the country’s economic transition. These interventions and reforms aim to encourage more productive and inclusive public and private investment, promoting a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy (RISE).
  
  CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components: Agriculture; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development and Infrastructure Development; and three Cross-Cutting components: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); Climate Resilience, and Policy support.
  
  BACKGROUND & SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
  
  Cambodia faces interconnected challenges in agriculture, water resource management, and rural development. Climate change, rural poverty, and fragmented sectoral planning continue to hinder sustainable development and economic progression. Cambodia has a predominantly rural economy (approximately 36.01% of the population in 2023), which requires a well-coordinated and integrated approach to agriculture, water, and rural development to achieve sustainable growth.
  
  The Tri-sectoral Working Group in Cambodia is an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism formed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM), and the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD). It was established to strengthen collaboration across the agriculture, water management, and rural development sectors, ensuring integrated planning and implementation of government priorities, including modern agricultural communities, water-user groups, and rural infrastructure. The group facilitates policy alignment, resource mobilisation, and stakeholder engagement to support the Royal Government of Cambodia’s development strategies, including the Pentagonal Strategy, and aims to improve rural livelihoods,
  enhance resilience, and promote sustainable socio-economic growth.
  
  Inter-ministerial coordination is facilitated by a Tri-sectoral Working Group Secretariat hosted by MAFF. The Tri-sectoral Working Group has approved a Concept Note to guide the development of a coordinated strategy and strategic plan for integrated agriculture, water, and rural development in Cambodia for 2026-2030.
  There is a need to develop a comprehensive, practical, data driven and inclusive Strategy and Implementation Plan that aligns the priorities of MAFF, MOWRAM, and MRD, and can serve as a joint roadmap for coordinated investment, implementation, and resource mobilisation.
  
  CAPRED seeks to engage a qualified consulting firm or consortium of firms (including national and/or international partners) to undertake the work to oversee the work of the consultants and ensure the quality and timeliness of deliverables.
  
  The detailed Terms of Reference can be found here: https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/RFP26-063-Cambodia-Tri-Sectoral-Strategy.pdf
  
  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES
  
  In response to Cambodia’s evolving rural economic and climate challenges, the scope of this work is to deliver a coordinated, inclusive and actionable strategy that prioritises catalytic interventions, strengthens institutional capacity and collaboration and provides a platform for joint investment and long-term impact. The assignment will support the formulation of a coordinated Strategy and Implementation Plan for Agriculture, Water and Rural Development in Cambodia (2026-2030).
  
  The process will focus on designing a practical, evidence-based roadmap that aligns with the RGC’s priorities, including the Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1, Climate Change Strategic Plan, and sectoral policies across agriculture, water resources and rural development. The strategy will ensure these priorities are reflected in shared objectives, integrated intervention and institutional arrangements at national and sub-national levels.  The assignment’s scope will include facilitating inter-ministerial collaboration between MAFF, MOWRAM and MRD through the Tri-Sectoral Working Group Secretariat.  Where appropriate, coordination with relevant existing CAPRED technical expertise will be conducted to ensure coherence and efficiency.
  
  Cross-cutting themes to be incorporated include climate resilience, GEDSI, private sector engagement, and, as appropriate, practical and relevant, will be embedded throughout the strategy’s design. The process will involve stakeholder consultations, analysis of existing policies and lessons learned, and the development of measurable strategic objectives supported by clear theories of change.  Separate consultations will be held with each of the three ministries: MAFF, MOWRAM, and MRD. It will also include drafting a monitoring and evaluation framework, a resource mobilisation plan, and communications materials to enable implementation and donor engagement.  All content, including consultation and validation materials, will be translated from English to Khmer.
  
  The consulting firm is expected to design the Strategy and Strategic Plan for Coordinated Agriculture, Water, and Rural Development in Cambodia (2026-2030). Endorsement will be provided by the Secretariat of the Tri-Sectoral
  Working Group, with concurrence from CAPRED.
  
  KEY DELIVERABLES
  
  Week 1 - Inception Plan (5-pages, proposed methodology, key stakeholders, timeline).
  Week 12 - State-of-sector analysis report (a common perspective of the climate and demographic change challenges)
  Week 16 - Draft strategic objectives and theory of change of each objective.
  Week 20 - Endorsed objectives, change pathways, and priority interventions
  Week 24 - Endorsed the Tri-sectoral strategy, implementation plan, and monitoring and evaluation framework.
  Week 28 - Endorsed resource mobilisation plan, and communications materials to enable implementation and donor engagement.
  
  JOB REQUIREMENTS
  
  Applications are open to Cambodian and/or international  consulting firms or consortia with demonstrated experience relevant to integrated agriculture, water, and rural development in Cambodia or comparable contexts. Firms are encouraged to propose multidisciplinary teams that collectively meet the requirements below.
  
  Organisational Requirements
  Proven experience in the development of multisectoral or cross-ministerial strategies, investment plans, or implementation frameworks in low and middle-income country contexts.
• Demonstrated understanding of Cambodia’s policy and institutional landscape, particularly relating to agriculture, water resources, rural development, and climate resilience.
• Experience supporting government-led planning and coordination processes, including facilitation of interministerial working groups and stakeholder consultations.
• Strong analytical capacity, including the ability to undertake evidence-based sector analysis, develop theories of change, and translate analysis into practical and actionable strategies.
• Demonstrated experience integrating GEDSI and climate resilience considerations into policy, strategy, or investment planning processes.
• Capacity to deliver high-quality outputs within tight timelines and to manage complex, consultative assignments involving multiple stakeholders.Key Personnel Requirements
  
• An International Team Leader with extensive experience in strategic planning, policy formulation, and cross sectoral coordination, preferably in Southeast Asia or comparable regions.
• A Deputy Team Leader and/or senior national expert with strong contextual knowledge of Cambodia’s agriculture, water, or rural development sectors and experience engaging with government counterparts.
• Additional team members with expertise across relevant areas, such as agriculture development, water and irrigation, rural livelihoods, climate change, private sector engagement, GEDSI, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder facilitation.
• Proven experience in producing high quality analytical reports, strategic documents, and presentation materials in English; Khmer language capability within the team is strongly preferred.APPLICATION PROCESS
  
  The proposals including the Technical and Financial Response Forms must be submitted no later than 5 pm (Phnom Penh time), 31 March 2026 by email to procurement@capred.org  with ” Cambodia Tri-Sectoral Strategy” in the subject line. Any proposals submitted after this time and date will not be considered.
  
  CAPRED is available to answer questions or provide more details on the scope of work. Please email procurement@capred.org with “Cambodia Tri-Sectoral Strategy- Enquiry” in the subject line.
  
  Attachments:
  
• Technical Response Form - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/RFP26-063-Technical-Response-Form-FINAL.docx
• Financial Response Form - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/RFP26-063-Financial-Response-Form-FINAL.docx
• Annex A- Relevant Partners & Stakeholder - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ANNEX-A-RELEVANT-PARTNERS-STAKEHOLDERS.docx
• Annex B- List of Background Documents - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ANNEX-B-LIST-OF-BACKGROUND-DOCUMENTS.docx
  Cowater International strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.
  
  Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
  
  We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

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