KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Quality Assurance and Technical Advisory Group (QTAG), Cambodia

Sector: MEL, GEDSI, Quality Assurance, Climate, Economic Policy

Position Type: Part-Time

Duration/Level of Effort: Long-Term 

Position Location: Home-Based (some travel to Cambodia)

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

The Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) Facility is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, implemented by Cowater International, focusing on supporting inclusive economic recovery and boosting resilience over five years, from June 2022 to July 2027, with a possible extension of three years. 

CAPRED is enhancing engagement with the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) in the economic sphere, providing support to relevant ministries in the formulation and implementation of key policies for inclusive impact and an improved environment for investment and growth. 

CAPRED’s emphasis is on helping the RGC to translate strategic intent into tangible, implemented reforms across three domain areas: i) agriculture and agro-processing; ii) trade, investment, and enterprise development; and iii) infrastructure, all with a strong cross-sectoral focus on improving Gender Equality Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and climate resilience across two End of Facility Outcomes (EOFO):

• EOFO1: By 2031, targeted RGC agencies develop and implement policies that contribute to more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive growth in CAPRED domains. 
• EOFO2: By 2031, targets private sector stakeholders undertake more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive trade and investment initiatives in CAPRED domains.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

The Quality Assurance and Technical Advisory Group (QTAG) provides independent, structured quality assurance and technical advisory support to DFAT and CAPRED. It operates at a strategic level, offering evidence-based recommendations to improve program effectiveness, alignment with objectives, and Value for Money (VFM).

QTAG functions as an independent advisory body, observing CAPRED implementation without direct involvement in routine management.

The detailed Terms of Reference can be found here: https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CAPRED-QTAG-TOR-25-27-Final-Jan-2025.pdf

SCOPE OF SERVICES 

QTAG’s role is to provide to DFAT and Cowater:

• Quality Assurance (QA): Assessing whether CAPRED’s strategies, implementation, and outputs are effectively contributing to delivery of program outcomes and are doing this in an efficient way
• Technical Advisory: Providing targeted technical guidance on GEDSI, climate change, economic policy and monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) to improve program performance and support DFAT and CAPRED decision making.

QTAG will conduct up to two annual QA missions (as required) and deliver actionable recommendations to DFAT and CAPRED leadership. Ad-hoc tasks may be requested focused on quality assurance and technical advisory functions. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leader:

• Conduct QA missions and lead reporting.
• Provide strategic technical advisory inputs to DFAT and CAPRED.
• Coordinate team inputs to ensure consistency and coherence.

Team Members (GEDSI, Climate, Economist, MERL Specialists):

• Participate in QA missions with a focus on their specific technical expertise.
• Review and provide quality technical recommendations on CAPRED outputs to DFAT and CAPRED.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Team Leader:

• 15+ years in program strategy, MEL and Design, QA, and technical advisory roles.
• Demonstrated leadership in development cooperation programs.

Team Members:

• 10+ years of technical expertise in GEDSI, Climate, MERL, economic policy or relevant sectors.

Desirable for all roles: Experience in Southeast Asia, especially Cambodia, and development evaluations.

Highly desirable: expertise in economic policy reform program especially in relation to infrastructure, agriculture, trade and investment, or similar sectors

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by 24 January 2025/as soon as possible. 

For your application to be considered, please upload the following documents: 

1.         Cover Letter

2.         Application Form - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Annex-1-Application-Form_FINAL.docx

3.         Financial Proposal - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Annex-2-Financial-Proposal.docx

4.         CV/Resume (no more than 5 pages)

5.         Sample of Written Work

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.