Individual Consultant: National Consultant for Development of Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the National Ageing Policy 2017–2030

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2026-2029), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Cambodia is experiencing a gradual demographic transition. While the country currently maintains a significant working-age population, the proportion of older persons (aged 60 and above) has risen from 1.4 million (8.9%) in 2019 to 1.75 million in 2024 (equivalent to 10.1%) and is projected to reach 5 million by 2050 which is 23% of the total projected population of 22 million. 

To proactively plan for this demographic shift, the Royal Government of Cambodia launched the National Ageing Policy (NAP) 2017–2030, which encompasses ten strategic areas aligned with the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) and regional ASEAN frameworks.

Eight years into implementation, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY), as the lead government institution, initiated the Mid-Term Review (MTR) process in early 2026 with technical support from UNFPA and in close partnership with other partners. The overarching objective of the MTR is to assess progress across line ministries, evaluate policy relevance, address implementation bottlenecks, and generate forward-looking, evidence-based recommendations for the remaining policy period (2026–2030) and beyond.

Significant foundational work for the MTR has already been accomplished under MoSVY’s leadership:

• Establishment of MoSVY Task Team: A dedicated internal MTR Task Team and focal points were established within MoSVY to steer the review.
• Development of Data Collection Tools: Comprehensive quantitative and qualitative assessment tools and indicators were finalized and operationalized.
• Orientation of Key Stakeholders: Orientation sessions were conducted for MoSVY technical staff, participating line ministries, partners and key CSOs.
• Subnational Consultations & Intergenerational Dialogues: Two rounds of field consultations and intergenerational dialogues (engaging older persons, youth, women, and subnational authorities) were executed across target provinces.
• Collection of Ministerial Inputs: Multi-sectoral qualitative and quantitative inputs from line ministries and government agencies have been largely collected.

The primary objective of this assignment is to provide dedicated technical expertise, daily on-site capacity building, and synthesis support to MoSVY to analyze MTR data inputs and draft the official Mid-Term Review Report of the National Ageing Policy 2017–2030.

Specific Objectives

1. Capacity Building & Coaching: Deliver daily on-site coaching and practical mentoring to the MoSVY MTR Task Team on policy analysis, data synthesis, and report drafting to strengthen institutional capacity.
2. Data Analysis & Synthesis: Systematically review, triangulate, and synthesize complex multi-ministerial inputs (primarily in Khmer), subnational consultation findings, and intergenerational dialogue outcomes across all ten NAP strategic areas.
3. MTR Report Formulation: Draft a comprehensive MTR Report featuring practical, cost-effective recommendations that address current implementation gaps while future-proofing Cambodia's ageing response in alignment with global and regional frameworks (MIPAA, ACAI, SDGs).

The National Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Programme Specialist (PD/M&E) and in daily operational collaboration with MoSVY leadership and the MOSVY MTR Task Team. The consultant will undertake the following specific tasks:

Task 1: Daily On-Site Capacity Building and Mentoring at MoSVY

• Be physically based at MoSVY offices on a daily basis throughout the assignment period to work side-by-side with designated MoSVY technical staff.
• Conduct structured, daily learning-by-doing sessions on data organization, qualitative thematic analysis, policy synthesis, and executive writing.
• Track and document capacity building progress, maintaining a weekly coaching log outlining skills transferred to MoSVY team members.

Task 2: Collection, Triangulation, Analysis, and Synthesis of MTR Inputs

• Collect, clean, organize, and analyze all existing qualitative and quantitative data (MOSVY reports, existing surveys and researches, and inputs submitted by line ministries, subnational departments, development partners and civil society organizations, etc.)
• Triangulate data from all sources including from MOSVY, line ministry submissions with findings from subnational field visits, intergenerational dialogues, and national policy documents.
• Identify key achievements, persistent implementation bottlenecks, cross-sectoral coordination challenges, and thematic gaps across the ten NAP strategic pillars.
• Integrate international benchmarks and good practices (e.g., ASEAN Centre for Active and Inclusive Ageing - ACAI, WHO age-friendly environments) applicable to Cambodia's socio-economic context.

Task 3: Drafting the Comprehensive MTR Report

• Structure and write the Draft MTR Report (in high quality Khmer language) not over 50 pages, excluding annexes
• Present draft findings to stakeholders for inputs and validations
• Develop a maximum five-page stand-alone Executive Summary both in English and Khmer in a high quality manner) 
• Formulate clear, prioritized, and actionable recommendations categorized into:
  • Short-term adjustments (2026–2030): Actionable policy refinements and institutional strengthening measures for the current NAP implementation window.
  • Long-term strategic directions (2030–2040): Forward-looking recommendations addressing rapid urbanization, climate resilience, social protection expansion, and demographic shifts.
• Ensure the draft report meets the rigorous standards required for submission to the Office of the Council of Ministers.
• Task 4: Stakeholder Validation & Technical Revision
• Present preliminary findings and key draft sections to MoSVY leadership, UNFPA, and the MTR Steering Committee and stakeholders.
• Facilitate technical working sessions to review feedback and solicit inputs from partner agencies (e.g., UNDP, WHO, UN Women, GIZ, Australia, HelpAge, Caritas, ACAI experts, among others).
• Revise and finalize the MTR report based on feedback received during technical validation sessions.
• Factsheet on Cambodia’s ageing and policy interventions
• PowerPoint presentation slides that explains the policy and MTR 

Please refer to the ToR for more details information

The total duration of the consultancy is 30 working days, executed between October 15 and December 31, 2026.

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in Demography, Public Policy, Social Development, Monitoring & Evaluation, Economics, or related Social Sciences.

• Khmer: Native fluency (written and spoken) is strictly required to review and synthesize multi-ministerial submissions and field qualitative notes.
• English: Excellent professional command (written and spoken) required for report writing and UN/UNFPA technical coordination.

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in public policy analysis, national strategy development, or programme evaluation in Cambodia.
• Demonstrated expertise in population dynamics, ageing policy, social protection, or health systems; prior experience working on the National Ageing Policy or MoSVY policy frameworks is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of providing direct institutional capacity building, hands-on mentoring, and daily coaching to government staff.
• Strong technical understanding of international and regional ageing frameworks, including MIPAA, WHO Age-Friendly Communities, and ASEAN/ACAI guidelines.
• Excellent analytical, data synthesis, and policy report writing skills both in English and Khmer.

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, 
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more. (https://www.unfpa.org/diversity-equity-inclusion)