Historique

After a decade of strong growth (averaging 9.5% per annum) with significant poverty reduction, the economy successfully navigated the global financial crisis which affected three of its four key engines of growth: garments, tourism and construction. Although the country has regained strong economic growth the crisis has shown that Cambodia remains highly vulnerable to external economic shocks through trade and investments and the importance to advance on economic diversification of both products and markets and industrialization.

The global financial crisis tested the structural strength of the economy. During the 4th Cambodia Economic Forum, it became widely accepted that, in order to sustain growth, the economy should no longer continue to rely only on its traditional sources of growth, namely, garment manufacture, tourism and construction sub-sectors. Excessive dependence on this limited growth base and a few market destinations limit economy’s resilience against exogenous shocks. The sources of growth need to diversify and seize opportunities emerging from global and regional value chain, foreign direct investment and the markets. This approach implies emphasis on industrial sectors with good growth potential. It was recognized that Cambodia is in an urgent need to modernise its economy, in practical terms this means ‘Promoting the Development of the Industrial Sector’. Modernising the economy by promoting industrial development is an appropriate and necessary solution for achieving sustainable growth of the Cambodian economy and takes it to a higher stage of development. It would help Cambodia avoid the ‘Middle Income Country Trap’ that has crippled a number of countries from moving further after achieving a middle-income level due to a lack of industrial capacity including technological know-how.

It is worth noting that the growth of manufacturing industry has been strong, far above any of its ASEAN counterparts or even China. Given its economic liberalization policy in early 1990s, the industries have shown very strong growth. Its growth has increased significantly to 31% in 2000 from a negative growth at 1990. However, this can be attributed to the fact that the base was low and the strong growth is purely driven by the base effect. According to a policy paper produced by Supreme National Economic Council (SNEC), the industrial development strategy has put focus on transforming the economic structure by providing more value added from a wider economic base that can ensure sustained growth with equity with an objective to upgrade the economy through promoting the development of the industrial sector that would lead Cambodia toward a ‘New Phase of Economic Base Diversification’ through the use of endowments and placing reliance on Cambodia’s comparative advantages.

In close collaboration with SNEC, UNDP is conducting an evidence-based policy study on Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunity, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis on the Cambodian economy with a specific focus on manufacturing sector. The topic of this study comes from a recent discussion between UNDP and Supreme National Economic Council (SNEC) under the UNDP policy supporting work to Royal Government of Cambodia.

The overall purpose of this assignment is to further enrich the discussion on the industrial policy currently prepared by the government partners with the latest advances in industrial economics and industrialization experience in LDCs. The focus of this SWOT analysis is given to manufacturing sector as Cambodia will strive to graduate from a low-income country into a middle-income one and eventually reach a high-income country status within the next several decades. International experience suggests that a country with an economic structure primarily dependent on agriculture and/or service sectors and with little attention paid to manufacturing will likely face a middle-income trap. The solution has to be found in transforming the economic structure into a higher value added, manufacturing-based economy that will establish a strong foundation for long-term sustainable and inclusive development.

The overall scope of work of the evident-based policy study includes (1) take stock of the Cambodia’s economy and manufacturing sector, (2) analyse global and regional economic dynamic, and review how neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam are moving in terms of promoting industrial development, (3) analyse domestic endowment/comparative advantage with the goal of economic diversification and going-up the value chain in key industries, (4) improve existing Input-Output table, (5) review development policy and trends, including industrial policy and its linkage with human capital development, the role of food and rice price in keeping wage down in the face of labour shortage and the implication of labour movement/shortage on the development industry and manufacturing sectors, (6) financing SMEs and manufacturing sector development, and (7) suggest policy options and appropriate possible steps forward for RGC.

The input of this study should catalyse a dialogue and brainstorming on complementary policies such as skills upgrading, technology and investment policies, government procurement, etc. The research findings should provide a valuable input for the RGC policies for industrial development and for a long term vision 2030. It will be built on UNDP recent works related to industrial policies. The research will also serve as a key input for the 5th Cambodia Economic Forum, scheduled for early-2014 to stimulate informed policy debate among senior level officials. More importantly, the inputs of this study should be ‘solution oriented’ and draw from new research of the consultant and analysis already available on Cambodia and provide feasible and implementable policy options based on global and regional experiences.

Devoirs et responsabilités

The consultant will work in close partner with a researcher from SNEC and UNDP economists to conduct a problem-oriented research to analyse Cambodia’s manufacturing sector by using SWOT as an approach and by improving Input-Output table to be used as tools to provide empirical evidence on the forward and backward linkages between industries.
In order to achieve the overall scope of work, the consultant is expected to take lead in some parts of the processes of the whole study, as followings: 

  • Improving existing Cambodia Input-Output table and providing capacity building to key government partners;
  • Presenting the findings at high level of policy dialogues and discussions;
  • Producing draft and final reports of the assignment.

Deliverables/Outputs:

  • A 40 minutes presentation, PowerPoint Slides and 3-4 pages written summary of the research;
  • A draft of a 25-30 page discussion paper (consolidating both the comments received during the technical workshop and dialogue with high level policy makers and SNEC drafting team) including 3 page executive summary, with policy options which are practical and implementable;
  • A final policy paper and PowerPoint presentation.

Compétences

Functional Competencies:

  • Strong network and substantial experience in advising government ministries or being an advisor to government with extensive experience facilitating meetings with multiple stakeholders and presenting policy research at high-level policy research forums;
  • Strong knowledge in development economics, employment and skill development, education and related subjects under human capital;
  • Extensive knowledge on Input-Output table analysis and strong statistical skills analysing data using Stata and SPSS;
  • Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communications skills;
  • Attention to details and able to think creatively;
  • Ability to work under pressure, effectively coordinate research team and meet tight deadlines without compromising quality of work.

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

  • PhD in economics or other related fields to the assignment;

Experience:

  • Extensive experience working in ASEAN preferably in Cambodia in the areas of human capital, SMEs trade and industrial policy with a proven record in producing high profile policy research and published at least 5 papers/book chapters in international journals;
  • At least 10 years of experience conducting applied research especially using inputs-outputs table and SWOT analysis in many different developing countries preferably in ASEAN that can bring international dimensions and best practices to Cambodia.

Language:

  • English Proficiency for both written and spoken.

Important note:

Interested offeror is strongly advised to read the Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice, wich can be viewed at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=19881 for more detail about term of references, instructions to offeror, and documents to be included when submitting offer.

Documents to be included when submitting the application:

Interested offeror/individual must submit the following documents/information:

Please note that UNDP Online Recruitment System allow only one uploading, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.

Any request for clarification/additional information on this procurement notice shall be communicated in writing to UNDP office or send to email vannara.chea@undp.org or procurement.kh@undp.org. While the Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, only requests receiving at least 5 working days prior to the submission deadline will be entertained. Any delay in providing such information will not be considered as a reason for extending the submission deadline.