Background
Cord is an international peacebuilding organisation with over 50 years of experience supporting communities affected by conflict and fragility. Our work is guided by five global themes:
- Economic Empowerment
- Women and Girls’ Empowerment
- Climate Change and Care for the Environment
- Building Stronger Societies
- Greater Respect for Fundamental Freedoms
Cord applies a three-strand approach to deliver impact:
- Strengthening grassroots organisations
- Helping powerholders understand the importance of working with grassroots organisations
- Creating opportunities for these two groups to work together
In Cambodia, Cord works in close partnership with local organisations to strengthen community voices and promote inclusive development. Our programmes focus on supporting women environmental defenders in their efforts to protect natural resources and adapt to climate challenges, while also working alongside Indigenous Peoples to enhance participation in land and resource governance. We encourage responsible business practices and sustainable management of the environment, and we help create opportunities for communities, civil society, and decision-makers to engage in constructive dialogue and joint solutions for long-term peace and development.
To deliver these results, Cord regularly engages consultants to provide specialist expertise. This approach allows us to bring in targeted skills and experience when most needed, ensures flexibility in programme delivery, and maintains high-quality support to our partners and communities. Consultancies are usually short in nature and time-bound, with assignments typically ranging from 100–300 days spread over three years, aligned with the needs of specific programmes. Consultants engaged by Cord normally work closely with project staff, often alongside the Project Manager or Coordinator, to co-deliver or lead specific activities. These may include designing and facilitating specialised training programmes, developing IEC and training materials, providing coaching and mentoring support for skills development, delivering and maintaining Communities of Practice, and contributing to wider capacity-building initiatives identified through project baselines.
We are currently inviting applications from qualified consultants to be included in our Pre-Qualified Consultant Roster. This roster will facilitate timely and transparent procurement in line with Cord’s policies and donor requirements.
The call will be published on Cord’s official website and relevant local platforms. The consultant selection process will adhere to internationally accepted standards of transparency, fairness, and accountability, drawing on guidance such as PRAG and other donor best practices to ensure merit-based evaluation, value for money, and full compliance with Cord’s safeguarding and ethical standards.
Required Skills and Experience
Consultants should demonstrate:
Required
A. Thematic and Technical Expertise
- Strong peacebuilding background, with clear understanding of and ability to integrate approaches such as:
- Do No Harm
- Conflict Sensitivity
- Non-Violent Communication
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Strong knowledge of governance, social inclusion, and accountability frameworks, with the ability to integrate peacebuilding perspectives within these approaches (e.g., participatory natural resource management, land governance, or community rights in development processes).
- Experience working with marginalized populations, including Indigenous Peoples and women.
- Clear understanding of Cambodia’s political, social, and economic context, particularly in relation to land, environment, private sector engagement and governance issues.
B. Capacity Building and Facilitation
- Solid experience in conducting and maintaining Communities of Practice with varied key stakeholders, fostering learning, dialogue, and collaboration.
- Proven ability to design and deliver training manuals, curricula, and IEC materials related to peacebuilding, inclusive governance, and community empowerment.
- Coaching and mentoring skills, with experience providing both one-on-one and group coaching to strengthen organisational and individual capacities.
C. Language and Communication
- Proficiency in English, with the ability to prepare high-quality reports and training materials.
- Khmer language skills are strongly preferred, including the ability to communicate effectively with local stakeholders and produce written outputs in Khmer where required.
Payment and Deliverables
- Consultants are contracted for a long-term engagement, normally covering 300–500 days spread over 2–3 years, depending on the needs of the project.
- Work is compensated on a daily rate basis, with payment made at the end of each month.
- Payments are subject to the approved activity plan and submission of required deliverables (e.g., training reports following successful implementation of training activities).
- Applicants must indicate their daily consultancy rate in USD. Rates will be locked for the duration of the contract (normally 2–3 years) in line with long-term consultancy arrangements.
Evaluation and Safeguards
Selection into the roster will be based on:
- Technical expertise (40%)
- Demonstrated expertise in the areas listed above (40%)
- Daily rate and value for money/Financial Offer (20%)
An evaluation committee of at least three members will complete signed conflict-of-interest declarations and evaluation sheets.
Cord is committed to non-discrimination, diversity, safeguarding, and preventing conflict of interest. All consultants will be required to declare any potential conflicts of interest before contracting. Being part of the roster does not guarantee a contract; consultants will be approached for specific assignments as needs arise.
All submissions will be treated with strict confidentiality and evaluated in accordance with Cord’s safeguarding principles, ethical standards, and conflict-of-interest policies.
How to apply
Interested consultants are invited to submit the following:
- Updated CV highlighting relevant experience
- A short cover note explaining suitability for Cord’s work and areas of expertise
- Daily consultancy rate (USD) and confirmation of rate validity for 2–3 years
Only applicants who meet the criteria will be contacted and included in Cord’s Pre-Qualified Consultant Roster.
Selection Process
- Applications will be reviewed against the criteria listed in this call.
- Consultants who meet the minimum requirements will be included in Cord’s Pre-Qualified Consultant Roster.
- Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee a consultancy contract. When specific assignments arise, Cord may:
- Conduct a mini-competition within the roster, inviting relevant consultants to submit a short proposal or updated availability; Mini-competitions will involve inviting at least three roster members, applying the same evaluation criteria, and documenting the process in a tender report.
- Carry out interviews or request work samples to confirm suitability for the specific assignment.
- Consultants who successfully complete this process will be contracted in line with Cord’s policies and donor requirements.
Please send your application to cambodia@cord.org.uk by 10 November 2025, 5:00 pm Phnom Penh Time. with the subject line: “Pre-Qualified Consultant Roster – [Your Name]”. Kindly address your application to Carlos Gallardo, Regional Representative for South East Asia.