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Consultancy to Conduct a Baseline Study for the SCOPE-PFM Project

with Oxfam
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BTDC-ID: 37713
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Expected Outputs

Consultancy to Conduct a Baseline Study for the SCOPE-PFM Project

Announcement Description

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.

PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT

The purpose of this contract is to engage a qualified consultant or research team to design and conduct a comprehensive baseline study for the EU-funded Strengthening Civic Engagement and Oversight in Public Financial Management (SCOPE-PFM) project in Cambodia. This study will provide critical insights into the current state of knowledge, awareness, civic engagement, transparency, and accountability within the public financial management (PFM) system at both national and subnational levels.

The baseline study will serve as a foundational reference point for measuring progress and impact throughout the project lifecycle. It will establish benchmark values for key indicators, identify systemic barriers and opportunities for citizen and civil society participation, and inform the refinement of the project’s implementation strategy and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework.

The findings will guide strategic decision-making, ensure accountability to stakeholders, and support adaptive management of the SCOPE-PFM initiative.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Cambodia has made notable strides in strengthening its public financial management (PFM) systems over the past two decades. The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) launched the Public Financial Management Reform Program (PFMRP) in 2004, which has led to improvements in budget reliability, financial accountability, and the modernization of fiscal systems. Key achievements include revenue collection exceeding 20% of GDP in 2023 and the implementation of the Financial Management Information System (FMIS), which has streamlined budget execution, asset management, and treasury operations, including electronic salary payments for civil servants.

Expected Outputs

Consultancy to Conduct a Baseline Study for the SCOPE-PFM Project

  • Career Category: Consultancies
  • Location: Phnom Penh
Summary

Start date: 02 January 2026

Assignment location: Cambodia

SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant/team will conduct the study for the indicators that require the baseline values and verify and update the indicators with the baseline (per annexed logframe):

  • Conduct a desk review of relevant policies, reports, and legal frameworks (e.g., Public Procurement Law, Anti-Corruption Law, PFMRP, …)
  • Map key stakeholders, including government institutions, CSOs, and community groups.
  • Design and implement data collection tools (surveys, interviews, FGDs, …).
  • Collect data from target provinces/communes, ensuring representation of women, youth, and marginalized groups.
  • Analyse data and produce a comprehensive baseline report incorporating the indicator’s value table
  • Update the SCOPE-PFM Performance Monitoring Plan by integrating the methodologies and tools used to measure each indicator in the baseline study, and refining the definitions of indicators as needed.

DELIVERABLES

Overall objective

The objective of the assignment is to conduct the baseline for the SCOPE-PFM project.

Specific outputs and deliverables

Please refer to the full Terms of Reference (link provided in Annexes)

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

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

For details, please refer to the full Terms of Reference (link provided in Annexes)

METHODOLOGY

For detailed methodology, please see the full Terms of Reference (link provided in Annexes)

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

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

Eligibility

  • Essential criteria
  • Advanced degree (master’s or higher) in Public Policy, Governance, Economics, Political Science, Development Studies, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience in conducting baseline studies, evaluations, or research in governance, public financial management (PFM), or civic engagement.
  • Proven experience working in Cambodia with a strong understanding of the socio-political and institutional context.
  • Strong knowledge of PFM systems, budget transparency, and accountability mechanisms.
  • Familiarity with international frameworks such as the Open Budget Survey indicators.
  • Proficiency in designing and implementing mixed-methods research, including surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions.
  • Excellent analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and present findings clearly.
  • Strong writing and reporting skills in English
  • Ability to facilitate stakeholder consultations and validation workshops.
  • Desired criteria
  • Proven knowledge experience in governance, PFM, or civic engagement research or evaluation studies.

Submission Requirements

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

  1. Technical proposal/approach paper
  2. Financial offer (price quotation) including budget and pricing
  3. Two relevant references (minimum) from previous comparable assignments
  4. CV (s)
  5. Evidence of previous work

Application to be submitted to: the link

Submission deadline

Quotations and applications must reach Oxfam by 22 December 2025 at 11:59pm (ICT)

Clarifications

Any questions, remarks or requests for clarification can be sent to email at least 5 days before the submission deadline in writing. The (anonymised) questions will be answered to all applicants.

Administrative compliance (list of documents to be submitted) as listed below.

Responses must be submitted and prepared in English and received by the deadline.

To be shortlisted for evaluation against award criteria, key documents must be included in the application: please refer to the full Terms of Reference (link provided in Annexes)

Evaluation and award criteria

Incomplete applications will not be assessed; only quotations that meet the administrative criteria will be assessed.

Award decisions will be based on best value for money criteria covering both technical quality and price.

For detailed information about Evaluation Criteria, please refer to the full Terms of Reference (link provided in Annexes)

Oxfam withholds the right to conduct interviews with one or more potential suppliers before an award decision is made. Purpose of the interview is to seek further clarification on the submitted quotations and learn more about the background and previous experiences of the potential suppliers and their teams.

Online webform

Oxfam Misconduct Reporting Webform (including possibility for anonymous reporting): the link

ANNEXES

The applicants can access: 1) The full Terms of Reference (ToR), 2) Logframe, and 3) Brochure at this link

Attachment:
  • ToR_Consultancy to Conduct Baseline Study for SCOPE PFM
 

Contact Details

Office Address
  • No 113C, Mao Tse Tung Blvd., Sangkat Boeng Keng Kang Ti Muoy, Khan Boeng Keng Kang, Phnom Penh, Cambodia