KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Request for Proposals: Foreign Direct Investment for SMEs Linkage Survey, Cambodia

Sector: Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics

Position Type: Part-Time

Duration/Level of Effort: Short-Term 

Position Location: Cambodia

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

The CAPRED Facility is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience. 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 and Agro-processing; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development and Infrastructure Development; 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.

CAPRED is conducting several research and technical assistance projects with the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) regarding SME linkages. SME linkages refer to supplier-buyer relationships between large firms and SMEs along industry value chains. SME linkages support broad-based economic growth by fostering SME competitiveness, innovation, employment, and export growth. 

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

CAPRED seeks to engage a qualified consulting firm to survey large firms, including both local and foreign-owned large firms, on their linkages with Cambodian SMEs. The survey will determine whether forward and backward linkages exist (number of local SME suppliers), the extent of these linkages (share of total intermediate inputs/costs provided by local SMEs), and where they exist in the value chain. The survey also aims to uncover the constraints and challenges to broader and deeper linkages, and potential strategies and policies to promote and strengthen linkages. 

The survey will also collect detailed information about the firms’ characteristics, including but not limited to size, location, sector, staffing, financial performance, etc. 

The detailed Terms of Reference can be found here: https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/RFP24-039-FDI-Firm-Survey.pdf

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful consulting firm will perform the following tasks:

Survey design and planning 

• Review and finalise the draft survey questionnaire prepared by CAPRED.

• Develop a comprehensive survey protocol (survey methodology and sampling strategy) targeting the desired sample of firms across Cambodia. 

• Create a detailed field schedule, based on the survey protocol.

• Pre-test the survey with a sample of respondents to ensure clarity and relevance.

Identify and engage with target firms to ensure access and maximise the survey response rate 

• Obtain necessary permits or clearance for the survey, with support from CAPRED.

• In line with the sampling method, coordinate with relevant stakeholders (e.g., industry associations, and government agencies) to gain support amongst potential participants. 

• Conduct briefing sessions to ensure transparency and understanding among participating firms, as needed.

Survey implementation

• Contact firms to schedule survey interviews.

• Deploy a team of trained enumerators to administer the survey through in-person interviews. 

• Ensure high response rates through targeted follow-ups and incentives, as appropriate. 

Data collection, quality assurance, and results validation  

• Collect detailed and accurate data in line with the survey questionnaire. 

• Implement robust quality control measures to verify and validate responses and ensure confidentiality

• Conduct data cleaning and ensure data is formatted and stored for easy analysis by CAPRED and other potential users.

• Validate survey findings with SMEs, for example, through focus groups with SME associations.

Depending on the selected firm, additional tasks may include supporting CAPRED with data analysis, reporting, results dissemination, and knowledge sharing.

KEY DELIVERABLES

The consulting firm is expected to provide the following deliverables:

• Survey protocol
• Survey questionnaire

• Detailed Fieldwork Schedule and roster of recruited field staff with their corresponding qualifications;

• Training curriculum and materials

• Short monthly progress reports, including a meeting and summary email detailing progress and any constraints encountered.

• Final dataset and Data Delivery Report

• Summary findings from validation exercise(s) with SMEs.

• Final Field Report

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education

Senior team members who will work on this project should possess advanced degrees in statistics, economics, development studies, social science, or similar fields.

Technical Competencies

• Proven track record and extensive experience in conducting similar survey research.

• Ability to ensure a high response rate and the collection of accurate data and detailed answers to open-ended questions. This entails the ability to secure interviews with:

  • large firms in Cambodia across multiple sectors and provinces, especially foreign-owned firms. 

  • sufficiently senior representatives of these firms.

• Familiarity with computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) tools such as KoboToolbox.
• Demonstrated ability to manage the project effectively, meet deadlines, deliver high quality survey data, and adhere to budgets.
• Demonstrated experience with stakeholder management and coordinating with government and the private sector.
• Excellent understanding of Cambodia's economic and policy context.

Other Competencies and Compliance

• Demonstrating integrity and high ethical standards.
• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treat all people fairly and equally.
• Fulfilling obligations to GEDSI sensitivity and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment.
• Strictly complies with the DFAT and Cowater policies, guidelines, and regulation, including Child Protection Code of Conduct and policy, Code of Conducts, the PSEAH policies, Fraud and Corruption Control Policies (e.g., requiring all staff and engaged partners to report suspected fraud and corrupt behaviour), and considerations of the Value for Money for the works
• Complying with Cambodia and DFAT’s policies, including climate/environmental and safeguards policies, as well as CAPRED operations rules and guidelines.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The proposals including the Technical and Financial Response Form must be submitted no later than 5:00 pm (Phnom Penh time), 8 January 2025 by e-mail to procurement@capred.org with “FDI-SME Linkage Survey” 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 detail on the scope of work. Please email procurement@capred.orgwith “FDI-SME Linkage Survey enquiry” in the subject line.

Attachment:

• Technical Response Form - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/RFP24-039-Technical-Response-Form-FDI-Firm-Survey.docx
• Financial Response Form - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/RFP24-039-Financial-Response-Form-FDI-Firm-Survey.docx

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.

ABOUT US

Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.