KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Request for Proposals: Capacity Strengthening for Private Water Operators (PWOs)
Sector: Water, Capacity Building, Training
Position Type: Part-Time
Duration/Level of Effort: Short-Term
Position Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The CAPRED Facility is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience until 2027, with a possible three-year extension. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and implemented by Cowater International, CAPRED supports Cambodia in implementing a range of important economic reforms to support the country’s economic transition. These interventions and reforms aim to encourage more productive and inclusive public and private investment, promoting a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy (RISE).
CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components, including Agriculture and Agro-processing; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development and Infrastructure Development; and three Cross-Cutting components: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); Climate Resilient initiatives, and policy support.
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
CAPRED seeks to engage a qualified consulting firm/consortium to deliver practical and contextually appropriate capacity strengthening for targeted Private Water Operators (PWOs) whose water supply stations received Viability Gap Funding Support from CAPRED.
This aims to equip PWOs and their staff with the applied knowledge, skills, and tools needed to enhance the quality-of-service delivery, operational efficiency, and sustainability.
The program will be structured across core areas as follows:
- Water quality management,
- Operational Efficiency management,
- Business management,
- Customer service engagement, and
- Site visit
Given that PWOs predominantly operate as family businesses and SMEs, the program will prioritise hands-on, practical, practice-based knowledge that is immediately applicable in the field, using sector examples rather than theoretical frameworks. Suppliers are encouraged to collaborate with relevant market technology providers and/or service providers to enhance the practical delivery of the training, where appropriate.
The detailed Terms of Reference can be found here: https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/RFP26-066-Capacity-Development-for-PWOs.pdf
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The selected firm will be expected to undertake the following key activities:
Preparation
- Training design and planning
- Development of training materials
- Pre-test/Post-test design and feedback survey design
- Coordination with CAPRED
- Coordination with PWOs
Training Delivery
- Pre-Test
- Training delivery
- Post-test assessment and feedback survey
Site Visit
- Site selection and planning
- Pre-visit preparation
- Site visit facilitation
Completion and Reporting
- Reporting
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Applications are open to Cambodian and international-based companies or consortiums, that meet the following criteria. Women-led companies and teams are strongly encouraged to apply.
Organisational Requirements:
- Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering capacity development programs for utilities, PWOs, or SMEs.
- Strong technical expertise in piped water supply operations, including water quality management and treatment.
- Proven ability to deliver practical training and develop relevant assessment, reporting, and learning tools.
- Experience working in Cambodia or similar contexts, with the ability to ensure quality delivery and mobilize within the assignment timeframe.
Key Personnel Requirements:
- Expertise in capacity development design, delivery, quality assurance, and reporting.
- Specialization in water quality and treatment, including jar-test, chlorination, chemical safety, testing, and recordkeeping.
- Experience in developing training materials and practical assessment tools.
- Khmer language capacity for delivery and engagement, with English for reporting.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience supporting PWOs or utility performance improvement.
- Demonstrated results in areas such as compliance, NRW reduction, recordkeeping, or financial controls.
- Experience integrating GEDSI and, where relevant, digital billing or recordkeeping tools into training and implementation.
Other Qualifications:
- Demonstrating integrity and high ethical standards.
- Displaying sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religious, racial, national, and age differences.
- Fulfilling obligations to GEDSI sensitivity and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment.
- Strictly comply with the DFAT Child Protection Code of Conduct and Policy.
(https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/child-protection-policy.pdf )
- Teams with an appropriate gender balance are strongly encouraged to apply.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The proposals, including the Technical and Financial Response Forms, must be submitted no later than 5 pm (Phnom Penh time), 15 July 2026 by email to procurement@capred.org with “Capacity Strengthening Project for PWOs” in the subject line. Any proposals submitted after this time and date will not be considered.
The program will host a Q&A session in both physical and online formats on 1 July 2026 at CAPRED Office at 2:00 PM (Phnom Penh Time).
Interested suppliers are kindly requested to register by emailing procurement@capred.org, no later than 30 June 2026, indicating whether they wish to attend in person or online.
CAPRED is available to answer questions or provide more details on the scope of work. Please email procurement@capred.org with the subject line : “Capacity Strengthening Project for PWOs – Enquiry”, no later than 8 July 2026.
Attachments:
- Technical Response Form – https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/RFP26-066-Technical-Response-Form.docx
- Financial Response Form – https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/RFP26-066-Financial-Response-Form.docx
Cowater International strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.
