Request for Expression of Interest for Consulting Firm to Conduct the Independent Verification

with Skills Development Fund
Invitation for Bids

BTDC-ID: 36190
Closing Date:

Bid Components

Announcement Description

The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has received financing from the World Bank (WB) toward the implementation of the Skills for Better Jobs (SBJ) Project. The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to enhance the quality and relevance of skills among Cambodia’s workforce. The Skills Development Fund (SDF) is seeking to engage a qualified consulting firm to serve as an Independent Verifier (IV) for training projects under Component 3.2 of the SBJ Project.

Bid Components

Request for Expression of Interest for Consulting Firm to Conduct the Independent Verification

  • Career Category: Consultancy
  • Location: Phnom Penh

Objectives of the Assignment

The objectives of this assignment are to undertake independent verification of the training project activities under Component 3.2, specifically:

  • To verify whether the training projects funded under the SDF have achieved the agreed-upon KPIs and milestones,
  • To recommend disbursement of final payments contingent on the achievement of the KPIs.

Scope of Work

Key tasks include:

  • Inception Phase: Finalize verification protocols, sampling strategies, and data collection tools.
  • Implementation Phase:
  • Desk-based reviews of attendance, dropout, and completion records.
  • On-site visits to at least 4 training providers per semester (announced/unannounced).
  • Phone surveys with 30+ trainees, 20+ graduates, and 10+ dropouts per provider.
  • Reporting: Submit semesterly verification reports (6 total) and a final compliance report by 31 December 2028.

Duration

The assignment will commence in September 2025 and conclude 31 December 2028, with intermittent work totaling 200 working days over the period.

The firm will be selected in accordance with the Consultants’ Qualifications Selection (CQS) method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, September 2023.

Bidder Eligibility

  • Firm Requirements:
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in performance audits/M&E for result-based financing (RBF) projects.
  • Prior work with public TVET institutions and in middle-income countries (e.g., Cambodia, similar contexts).
  • Successfully completed at least:
  • 1 contract involving 1,000+ training beneficiaries, or
  • 2 contracts with 5+ training institutions each.
  • Expertise in qualitative/quantitative data methods and large-scale skills development programs.
  • Key Staff Profiles:
  • Technical Team Leader: 5+ years in M&E/auditing, leadership experience in RBF or TVET projects.
  • Data Manager: Proficiency in data analytics, reporting, and WB compliance standards.
  • Field Officers: Local enumerators for on-site verification and interviews (Khmer/English fluency preferred).

Submission Requirements

The firm will be selected in accordance with the Consultants’ Qualifications Selection (CQS) method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, September 2023.

Submission Requirements

Interested firms must submit:

  • Cover letter expressing interest.
  • Company Profile: Registration certificate, past projects (max 3, with references).
  • Team CVs: Highlighting relevant experience.
  • Technical Approach: Methodology (max 5 pages).
  • Work Plan: Timeline aligned with deliverables

Expressions of interest must be submitted to the address by email during office hours from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 17:00 hours, Monday through Friday, except public holidays, no later than September 12, 2025 before 17:00 hours: (Cambodia local time)

Attachments:

Full Terms of Reference (ToR) can be requested by email.

 
Attachment
 

Contact Details

Office Address
  • 10th Floor, Business Development Center, OCIC Blvd, Sangkat Chroy Changvar, Khan Chroy Changvar, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
 
Contact Name
  • Ms. Hai Panhapich Finance and Procurement Officer
 
Email