Consultancy to Conduct a Comprehensive Policy Analysis of Cambodia's Digital Transformation

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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

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 ritthy.ou@oxfam.org

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: