Expression of Interest: Prequalification of MERL Research Firms, Cambodia

Position description

Job Title: Expression of Interest: Prequalification of MERL Research Firms, Cambodia 

Sector: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning 

Position Type: Part-Time 

Duration/Level of Effort: Long-Term 

Position Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia 

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT 

The Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience over the next four years, with a possible three-year extension. 

The Facility supports Cambodia in implementing a range of necessary economic interventions and reforms to maintain the country’s economic transition. These interventions and reforms are primarily aimed at encouraging more productive and inclusive public and private investment, which promotes a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy (RISE). 

CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components including: Agriculture; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development and Infrastructure; and one Cross-Cutting component comprising: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); Climate Resilient initiatives, and policy support. GEDSI is at the heart of all that CAPRED does. 

MERL plays a central role in guiding program adaptation, tracking performance, and generating evidence and learning to inform decision-making across all technical and cross-cutting areas. 

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION 

CAPRED seeks to establish a roster of pre-qualified research firms to support its Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Unit. These firms will be engaged on an “as-needed” basis for research assignments aligned with CAPRED’s portfolio areas. Assignments may include: 

• Household surveys 
• Market analysis and sentiment studies 
• Policy and institutional reviews 
• Baseline or endline studies 

For each assignment, a separate Terms of Reference (ToR) will be issued to pre-qualified firms for quotation and staffing. The duration, scope, and methodology will vary per assignment. 

The detailed Terms of Reference for this Expression of Interest can be found here: https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/EOI25-051-Prequalification-Research-Firms-FINAL.pdf

SCOPE OF WORK & DELIVERABLES 

The​ selected research firms, in close consultation with the CAPRED MERL team, will be expected to: 

· Design comprehensive research plans, including clearly defined methodologies, sampling frameworks, timelines, and resource requirements. 

· Conduct high-quality field research by recruiting and deploying qualified field teams; oversee all logistics, ensure data integrity, and troubleshoot any challenges encountered during data collection and entry. 

· Digitise and program data collection tools using platforms such as KoboToolBox or other mutually agreed software, ensuring functionality and user-friendliness. 

· Provide regular updates to CAPRED, including progress summaries, field reports, and any emerging issues or risks requiring mitigation. 

· Perform data cleaning and analysis; submit raw and cleaned datasets, along with comprehensive analytical outputs including preliminary findings and a final research report. 

Key Deliverables 

Each study may include the following deliverables or a selection of: 

1. Research Plan: For each assignment, CAPRED will issue a Concept Note outlining the research purpose, geographical area, suggested sampling, and timeline. Firms will respond with a research plan including a work-plan and budget. This response will inform CAPRED’s selection of providers for that particular assignment. 

2. Questionnaires: Includes the design, coding, and testing of quantitative and qualitative tools in a digital format
(e.g., KoboToolbox), aligned with the research design and sampling strategy. 

3. Raw Dataset & Clean Dataset: Submission of both raw and cleaned data (quantitative and/or qualitative) in
agreed formats, with appropriate documentation and metadata. 

4. Preliminary Analysis & Findings: Initial synthesis of key results, trends, and emerging insights submitted in a
presentation or brief report format. 

5. Final Analysis & Findings: A comprehensive final report including detailed methodology, full analysis,
interpretation of results, and strategic recommendations. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

Research firms with a proven track record of delivering high-quality, policy-relevant research in Cambodia or similar contexts should demonstrate the following: 

Organisational Capability: 

· Experience delivering mixed-methods research (qualitative and quantitative), including large-scale surveys, market studies, and evaluation assignments. 

· Demonstrated ability to mobilise skilled field teams and manage end-to-end research logistics across varied geographies. 

· Strong data management systems, including secure collection, storage, and cleaning processes. 

Technical Expertise: 

· Proven knowledge of one or more CAPRED portfolio areas (e.g. agriculture, agro-processing, trade, investment, rural infrastructure). 

· Experience integrating cross-cutting issues into research, particularly gender equality, social inclusion, and climate resilience. 

· Ability to design robust research methodologies and tools tailored to policy, market, and programmatic contexts. 

· Strong analytical and reporting capacity, including clear data visualisation and actionable recommendations. 

Team Composition: 

· Firms must demonstrate access to personnel with relevant sectoral knowledge, research qualifications, and local context expertise. 

Other Compliance: 

· Comply with DFAT, Cowater and CAPRED policies on gender, disability, fraud and anticorruption, child protection, and the environment. 

· Maintain high standards of conduct, particularly in child protection and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. 

· Proactively identify and report risks and manage risks within your level of accountability. 

Application PROCESS 

The expression of interest including the Technical Response Form must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM (Phnom Penh time), 8 August 2025 to [email protected] with “EOI25-051- Pre-Qualification of Research Firms ”. 

CAPRED is available to answer questions or provide more details on the scope of work.
Please email [email protected] with “EOI25-051- Pre-Qualification of Research Firms – Enquiry” in
the subject line. 

The submission must be in English and include the following: 

A) A completed Response Form outlining the following: 

o Proposed daily or unit rates, inclusive of all applicable costs. 

o Cost estimates based on geographic zones or provinces. 

o Cost estimates for different respondent types (e.g. farmers, MSMEs, government officials, CSOs). 

o Any key assumptions, terms, or conditions. 

o Answers to all questions in the Response Form. 

Important note for applicants: 

· Late submissions will not be considered. Inclusion in the panel does not guarantee future assignments. 

· Firms may be invited to clarify their submissions or participate in a briefing or interview session prior to final selection. 

· CAPRED upholds rigorous standards for research quality, ethics, and methodological integrity, and does not encourage the use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to complete application responses. Submissions should reflect the firm’s own experience, technical understanding, and contextual insight. Responses that appear generic, templated, or misaligned with CAPRED’s expectations may be disqualified.

Application instructions

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