Consultancy to Conduct a Policy Analysis of the National Social Protection Policy Framework

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PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT

The direct motive for this procurement for consultancy services is to conduct a comprehensive policy analysis of the National Social Protection Policy Framework (NSPPF) 2024–2035. This involves identifying existing policy gaps and challenges within the current social protection landscape and how the new NSPPF address the challenges and to formulate clear and actionable policy recommendations for social protection for all.

The findings and recommendations should be grounded in internationally recognised standards and principles, including a rights-based approach to social protection, and emphasise key values such as universality, adequacy, sustainability, gender transformative and equity to ensure the framework effectively serves all segments of the population.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Oxfam, on behalf of the SP4ALL coalition and supported by the Laudes Foundation, seeks to advance inclusive and equitable social protection in Cambodia. The SP4ALL coalition is led by CSOs dedicated to enhancing public understanding of social protection and bringing citizens' issues to the attention of governmental bodies. This initiative is guided and supported by a consortium of CSOs in Cambodia, all committed to exchanging knowledge on social protection themes.

The Royal Government of Cambodia officially launched on February 20, 2025, the National Social Protection Policy Framework (NSPPF) 2024–2035, replacing the previous 2016-2025 framework. This updated policy framework serves as a strategic roadmap to ensure the sustainable development of Cambodia’s social protection system. It envisions comprehensive protection for all citizens from birth through the final stages of life, by addressing seven key lifecycle risks: maternity and childhood, health, occupational hazards, disability, unemployment, homelessness, and old age and survivorship. The NSPPF 2024–2035 reaffirms Cambodia’s commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient social protection system that leaves no one behind.

SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will be responsible for the following key tasks:

1. Desk Review

• Review NSPPF 2024–2035 and related legislations, strategies, and sectoral policies.
• Examine relevant national and regional studies on social protection and gender equity, decent work, taxation, and public financial management.

2. Policy Analysis

• Analyse a SWOT and gap in the context of Cambodia’s social protection landscape and reflect on how the NSPPF addresses the challenges based on the key values of affordability, universality, adequacy, sustainability, gender transformative and equity.
• Analyse the national budget allocation on social protection

3. Governance system

• Analyse the implementation mechanisms of managing the national social security funds

4. Stakeholder Engagement

• Conduct interviews, focus group discussions, and consultations with SP4ALL members and relevant actors.

5. Strategic Recommendations

• Develop policy recommendations to address the identified gaps to ensure that NSPPF has complied with the international standards/frameworks.
• Develop a policy brief

6. Validation and Finalisation

• Present findings in a stakeholder validation workshop.
• Finalise documents based on feedback.

***The full Terms of Reference, covering Deliverables, Payment Schedule and Methodology can be accessed here: https://oxfam.box.com/s/3xr4lspavb2jd0s6w6mmniuog87ppp6s

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, Social Protection, Economics, Development Studies, Political Science, Social Policy, Public Administration, or a related social science field.

2. Professional Experience

• Proven strong professional experience (minimum 7 years) in social protection policy analysis, ideally within Southeast Asia.
• Designing policy-oriented research and evidence-based recommendations.
• Developing or advising on national or regional implementation frameworks and action plans.
• Strong understanding of Cambodia’s social protection systems, institutional structures, and governance mechanisms.
• 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 social protection approaches.
• Regional and global frameworks (e.g. ILO Social Protection Floors Recommendation No. 202, ASEAN Social Protection Framework).
• Social protection issues affecting vulnerable groups (e.g. informal economy workers, women, persons with disabilities).

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 August 27, 2025 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 award criteria, the following documents must be included in the application:

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.

The award criteria are assessed according to the following distribution of points:

Only quotations with combined scores of at least 70 points for the technical award criteria (approach paper and CV) qualify for the financial evaluation.

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.