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Research Partner

with The Asia Foundation

BTDC-ID: 40504
Closing Date:

Expected Outputs

Research Partner

Announcement Description

Women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Southeast Asia are currently encountering artificial intelligence (AI) through digital platforms, e-commerce system, financial technology tools, and automated business applications. While AI offers opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness, women business owners often face barriers to digital adoption due to limited digital literacy, restricted access to finance, smaller business networks, and fewer opportunities for technology training and support. They are also increasingly exposed to risks such as fraud, misinformation, data misuse, and cybersecurity threats.

Despite the rapid growth of AI technologies, there is limited research and evidence on AI readiness among women-led MSMEs. To address this gap, The Asia Foundation (TAF) is implementing a regional project Women-led MSMEs Empowerment through AI (WE-AI) initiative conducts a comprehensive research study on AI readiness among women-led MSMEs across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to study on ecosystem barriers, skills gaps, and digital risk exposure faced by women-led MSMEs.

Expected Outputs

Research Partner

  • Career Category: Call for Proposals
  • Location: Phnom Penh
Summary

Key Responsibilities

Research Design and Data Collection

  • Review and adapt the research methodology and tools provided by the TAF regional team, such as survey instruments, sampling frameworks, and data protection and ethics protocols, to ensure relevance to the Cambodia context, including language, terminology, and local business practices.
  • Conduct a survey with at least 120 women-led MSMEs to assess business characteristics, digital maturity, AI awareness, AI adoption barriers, and risks exposure related to AI-enabled tools. The partner will be responsible for identifying and recruiting the MSMEs for the survey.
  • Recommend modification (as appropriate) to the survey instruments, where necessary, to reflect Cambodia’s policy, business, and digital ecosystem while maintaining alignment with the regional research framework.
  • Review and adapt the regional Key Informant Interview (KII) guides for Cambodia.
  • Conduct KIIs with relevant ecosystem stakeholders in Cambodia, including women’s business associations, MSME support agencies, technology platforms, digital training intermediaries, relevant ministries, and other relevant stakeholders.

Data Analysis and Reporting

  • Analyze and synthesize primary and secondary data to identify key barriers, risks, and opportunities related to AI adoption for women-led MSMEs in Cambodia.
  • Produce a Cambodia AI readiness snapshot highlighting the current state of AI awareness, adoption and programmatic recommendations to support increased AI uptake among women-led enterprises.
  • Prepare a final research report presenting key findings and actionable recommendations.

Submission Requirements

Budget

Proposals will be assessed for value for money, with consideration of the quality, feasibility, and cost-efficiency of the proposed approach. Qualified submissions will include a detailed and justified budget breakdown by activity and line item, including all associated costs (professional fees, data collection costs, travel expenses, and administrative costs).

Submit proposals (technical and budget) to the email provided in the contact details.

Applications should be submitted by July 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM local time, with the subject line: “Research Partner”. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Attachment:
  • ToR - Research Partner
 

Contact Details

Office Address
  • House # 59, Street 242 – Oknha Peich, Sangkat Chakto Mukh, Khan Doun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
 
Contact Name
  • The Asia Foundation
 
Email