Consultancy to Conduct a Comprehensive Policy Analysis of Cambodia's Digital Transformation (Phnom Penh (KHM_PHP), KH)

Oxfam is a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. Across regions, from the local to the global, we work with people to bring change that lasts.

OVERVIEW
Start date	01 June 2026
How to apply:	Interested candidates are invited to submit: A proposal describing how the evaluation will be conducted (including a budget in a separate file) CV (s) A written example of an evaluation already carried out
Deadline	04 May 2026 at 23:59 GTM+7
Application to be submitted to:	https://jobs.oxfamnovib.nl/job-invite/14324/
Assignment location:	Remote – home-based, flexible location

 

PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT

Under the EU-funded ReCIPE (Recentering the Civic Internet through Partner Engagement) project of Oxfam, the direct motive for this consultancy assignment is to conduct a comprehensive Policy Analysis of Cambodia’s Digital Transformation. This involves evaluating Cambodia’s digital transformation agenda from a rights-holder perspective to ensure that technological advancement does not outpace rights-based protections.

The findings and recommendations must be grounded in Oxfam’s Five Pillars of Rights in a Digital Age (RiaDA): Access and Equity, Security and Digital Civic Space, Responsible Data Use and Privacy, Automation and the Future of Work, and Governance. The research findings will be presented and discussed with Cambodian CSOs, particularly during CCC’s provincial network meetings, and shared with the Digital Rights Working Group, relevant government agencies, and Oxfam’s regional networks.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Cambodia is undergoing a rapid digital evolution guided by the Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035 and the Digital Government Policy 2022-2035. As the nation moves into Phase 2 (2026-2030) of its digital leap, the focus has shifted toward "Accelerating Integration" across finance, agriculture, and public services. However, digital transformation is not neutral. Current trends show rising digital risks, including AI-generated misinformation, surveillance, and a significant digital literacy gap, with only 32% of the population possessing basic digital skills. Oxfam in Cambodia seeks to ensure this transformation is inclusive for marginalised groups, including women, informal workers, and rural communities, ensuring they are protected rights-holders within the digital ecosystem.

SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will be responsible for the following key tasks:

• Desk Review and Policy Mapping: Conduct a comprehensive review and SWOT analysis of key national policies, including the Cambodia Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035, Cambodia Digital Government Policy Framework (2022-2035), and draft laws on cybersecurity, cybercrime, personal data protection, digital government and scam while incorporating relevant regional and international commitments to which Cambodia is a party, particularly within ASEAN and UN-led digital transformation initiatives.

 

• Primary Qualitative Research: To capture "lived experiences" and nuanced perspectives, consultancies utilise:

• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Semi-structured interviews with high-level stakeholders, including legal experts, government officials, UN representatives, representatives of private companies, and CSO leaders.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Group sessions with rights-holders and community members to understand collective concerns.

• Thematic Analysis (Oxfam’s RiaDA Pillars):

• Access & Equity: The policy compendium highlights the “Five As” of meaningful access- availability, affordability, awareness, accessibility, and ability- alongside an additional dimension, architecture, which affirms people’s right to shape the technologies that affect them.
• Security & Digital Civic Space: This pillar entails the right to free expression, privacy, anonymity, safety from cyberviolence and the integrity of civic spaces, while opposing surveillance, shutdowns and repression.
• Responsible Data Use & Privacy: Evaluate protections for personal data in public and private platforms.
• Automation & Future of Work: Examine how digital labour platforms affect workers' rights.
• Governance: Assess the transparency and accountability of digital decision-making. This pillar is not limited to digital decision-making alone, but also encompasses the development, deployment, and regulation of all digital technologies.

 

• Strategic Recommendations: Develop actionable policy recommendations to ensure Cambodia’s digital agenda complies with international human rights standards.
• Validation and Finalisation: Present findings in a stakeholder workshop and finalise documents based on feedback.

 

DELIVERABLES

The consultant shall provide the following key outputs within the designated three-month timeframe:

1. Inception Report: Detailing methodology, work plan, and list of key stakeholders.
2. Draft Policy Analysis Report: A comprehensive analysis including the SWOT and pillar-based assessment.
3. Final Policy Analysis Report (max. 8,000 words): Incorporating feedback from Oxfam and partners.
4. Policy Brief: A 4-page summary targeted at policymakers and CSOs.

(Oxfam policy and research publication types and Oxfam’s style guide for notes, references and bibliographies)

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Remuneration is based on the submission of final deliverables. No payment will be made in advance.

 

METHODOLOGY

The key steps to be followed, though not explicit as the detailed modality and work plan will be agreed during the initial consultation meeting, include:

Planned timeline

Activity / Milestone	Deliverables / Outputs	Estimated days	Timeline
Inception Report	Methodology, timeline, and outline of analysis	04	12 June 2026
Zero Draft	Initial policy analysis and draft recommendations	10	13 July 2026
Validation Presentation	PowerPoint for stakeholder workshop	03	20 July 2026
Final Draft	Updated based on validation input	03	31 July 2026
Final Report	Complete policy analysis and refined recommendations	03	17 August 2026
Policy Brief	A 4-page policy brief	02	24 August 2026

 

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

The company/ individual(s) should have the following competencies:

Essential criteria

1. Educational Background

• Advanced degree (master’s or PhD preferred) in Public Policy, Media studies, ICT4D, Development Studies, Political Science, or a related social science field.

2. Professional Experience

• Proven strong professional experience (minimum 7 years) in policy analysis within the Cambodian or ASEAN context.
• Deep understanding of digital rights, human rights-based approaches, and gender mainstreaming.
• Designing policy-oriented research and evidence-based recommendations.
• Developing or advising on national or regional implementation frameworks and action plans.
• Experience working with a range of stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organisations, labour unions, and development partners.

3. Demonstrated familiarity with

• Gender-transformative, inclusive, and rights-based approaches.
• Regional and global frameworks (e.g. ASEAN Digital Masterplan, UNESCO Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms, UN Global Digital Compact and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights)

4. Technical Skills

• Strong analytical and synthesis skills for conducting policy and SWOT/gap analyses.
• Ability to translate technical findings into actionable, practical recommendations.
• Experience in stakeholder facilitation (e.g. interviews, FGDs, workshops).
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English; ability to produce concise reports, policy briefs, and presentations.
• Knowledge of the Khmer language is a strong asset.

 

Desired criteria

• Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated commitment to gender equity and social inclusion.
• Adherence to Oxfam’s values, safeguarding standards, and ethical conduct.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills in multi-stakeholder settings.
• Ability to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality outputs under limited supervision.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Submission deadline

Quotations and applications must reach Oxfam no later than 04 May 2026 at 23:59 GTM+7

Clarifications

Any questions, remarks or requests for clarification can be sent up to 7 days before the submission deadline in writing to OU Ritthy, Policy Advisor, Oxfam in Cambodia at [email protected]

Administrative compliance (list of documents to be submitted)

To be shortlisted for evaluation against the award criteria, the following documents must be included in the application:

Item		Importance
1	Technical proposal/approach paper to conduct the assignment and achieve objectives, including methodology, proposed work plan and timelines	Mandatory
2	Financial offer (price quotation) including budget and pricing All prices must appear in USD, with and without VAT (specify the VAT rate if applicable) The total budget, which must include a detailed breakdown of costs by deliverables. The total budget proposed by the Consultant must include all costs that will be invoiced to Oxfam in the financial offer[1]: all technical services and activities e.g. research, report writing, analysis, instrument development costs; office-related costs, e.g. communications (phone), printing, IT costs (laptop), mail/courier; travel-related costs (including flights, taxi, car, visas, vaccination, prophylaxis, accommodation, food); relevant insurance; and travel to the destination and from countries (economy class). Please provide a detailed breakdown of your daily rate and the number of days and resources required per activity, as well as the associated cost.	Mandatory
3	Curriculum Vitae(s) (CV) of the proposed consultant(s), proving relevant experience and/or qualifications. If multiple people are involved, an outline of roles/ responsibilities also needs to be included.	Mandatory
4	Two relevant references (minimum) for previous comparable assignments	Mandatory
5	Proof of registration: The bidders also must include a copy of their registration at the relevant Chamber of Commerce and/or document attesting to their registration for the self-employed and the bidder’s registration number, VAT or fiscal number.	Optional
6	Evidence of previous work List of similar publications or any other documents proving similar experience and technical and thematic knowledge	Mandatory