Call for Proposals to Develop Applied Contextual Analysis Research

USAID Cambodia Counter Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) Project

Call for Proposals to Develop Applied Contextual Analysis Research

Topic of the Research: Applied Contextual Analysis Addressing Trafficking for Forced Criminality in Cambodia.

Proposal Submission Deadline: 23 July 2024

1. BACKGROUND

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Cambodia Countering Trafficking-in-Persons (CTIP) Activity is seeking to learn more about the recent trend of foreign nationals trafficked into organized crime (OC) centers, primarily in Sihanoukville but also in other areas such as Poipet, Phnom Penh, Bavet, and the Special Economic Zone in Pursat. This form of trafficking, heretofore unseen in Cambodia, is characterized as “forced online scamming” or “trafficking in persons for the purpose of forced criminality.” The 2019 government ban on online gambling and the COVID-related decline of Chinese tourism to Cambodia has led key revenue sources for Chinese OC groups operating in Sihanoukville and elsewhere to dry up. A pivot to online scamming by these OC groups was enabled by a conducive operating environment in Cambodia, particularly in the gambling centers of Sihanoukville, Bavet and Poipet.

Although the phenomenon of forced online scamming is now over three years old, there has been little analysis of the forces that have led to the unprecedently large criminal industry and what forces or elements have so far prevented any effective countermeasures. What is the context in terms of the public’s awareness of organized crime activity in the country? What is the public’s perception of the more than 100,000 foreign migrant workers who have come to Cambodia for supposed high-paying jobs? What motivates public servants, particularly those in security roles, to pay attention to this issue? What are the inhibiting factors that prevent effective strategies to confront it?

1. PURPOSE OF THE APPLIED CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS (ACA)

The USAID CTIP Cambodia Activity is seeking a qualified consultant or research organization to conduct an applied contextual analysis (ACA) of the emerging trend of trafficking foreigners for forced criminality in Cambodia. By identifying these political, economic, social, and cultural influences, the ACA will allow the Activity to take a more informed approach to sustainable development and integrate the theory of “thinking and working politically” (TWP). Through USAID’s TWP approach, USAID Cambodia CTIP will seek to better understand the systems in which the Activity is operating and identify sustainable, locally generated solutions to the issue of trafficking. The ACA will help identify the drivers and source of influence behind the sudden rise in trafficking of this type, as well as the impediments to curbing these practices, and will explain networks that help sustain the system of trafficking and scamming that are thriving in symbiotic relationships.

1. EXPECTED METHODOLOGY

The starting point for the ACA will be an agreed-upon set of 4-5 themes for analysis. Illustrative themes could include issues such as trafficking for forced criminality, corruption, gambling, and organized crime. Specific themes will be discussed and agreed with the USAID Cambodia CTIP team at the onset of the ACA. Where appropriate, themes will be defined to align with USAID guidance documents, such as USAID’s Technical Guidance on the Development Response to Organized Crime and USAID’s Dekleptification Guide: Seizing Windows of Opportunity to Dismantle Kleptocracy.

Once the key themes, are identified, the ACA will include desk research and at least ten key informant interviews (KIIs) and/or focus group discussions per issue with provincial officials, national-level non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private-sector stakeholders including organizations representing women, youth, disabled people, and ethnic minorities. KIIs and/or focus group discussions should include a range of geographic areas based on hot spots to ensure careful analysis of opportunities and entry points in different locations.

The desk study will include a review of relevant publications, media reports, and other documents with information on the current status, causes, locations, challenges, and opportunities to address trafficking for forced criminality. The desk study also serves to identify key stakeholders (government agencies, CSOs, private enterprises, international donors, research institutions, business associations, etc) that may be relevant to interview. This stakeholder review will help identify priority individuals and groups for consultation in the KIIs and focus group discussions.

The KIIs and/or focus group discussions should be planned in a flexible way to accommodate possible in-person and virtual meetings, based on potential limitations on travel or ability to meet with key groups.

Throughout the desk study and KIIs/focus group discussions, the ACA will consider illustrative questions included in the USAID Applied PEA Framework: Guidance on Questions for Analysis at the Country, Sector, and Issue/Problem Levels1 . Final key questions will be agreed upon during the workplan step, but may include questions such as:

 Who are the main actors or stakeholders interested in addressing this issue? And do they have the power/authority to make a difference?

 How are the main actors or coalitions pushing for change (positive or negative)?

 What larger trends are apparent that may influence the issue?  To what extent can the effects of these trends be predicted or not?

1. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

 An ACA report to capture the political, economic, social, and cultural influences related to each of the themes identified in collaboration with the USAID Cambodia CTIP team, with a relative evaluation of opportunities and challenges for each, including: 1

o Strategic entry points for each theme.

o Feasibility of working to address each theme. Questions to consider may include (for example):

 Is there interest/commitment to addressing the issue?

 Is there real potential for positive change? etc.)

o Other criteria for analysis, such as:

 Opportunity for innovation,

 Saturation with other initiatives and projects,

 Challenges to positive change

o Specific recommendations on geographic locations, both those that offer opportunity, and those where there may be barriers that make success less likely

 The report should include a summary table or other concise communications product to capture findings and recommendations. Graphics or tables illustrating information would be appreciated.

1. EXPECTED STEPS, OUTPUTS, AND TIMING

Activity Output Timeline

Work with Winrock Cambodia CTIP team to agree on 4-5 themes for detailed analysis , 4-5 themes identified , Task complete within 2 days after agreement signed

Develop a detailed ACA workplan, including criteria for analysis and key guiding questions, Detailed workplan,Task complete within 7 days after agreement signed

Complete desk study, Desk study summary, Complete within 2 weeks after agreement signed

Conduct KIIs and/or focus group discussions, KII/focus group summary, Completed within two months

Prepare draft report, Draft report, Completed within three months

Hold workshop to share preliminary findings with stakeholders and get feedback, Workshop summary, Completed within five months

Finalize ACA report, Final report, Completed within six months

Proposed timeline

1. 09 July 2024 – Call for Proposals Opens

2. 24 July 2024 – Call for Proposals Closes

3. 31 July 2024 -- Selection decision made; contract negotiations with finalist

4. 09 August 2024 – Research begins

Eligibility

This research opportunity is available to any person(s) in or outside of Cambodia, of any nationality.

Budget

The Successful research candidate(s) will be compensated fully at level(s) reflecting prevailing market consultancy and research rates.

Email any questions regarding this funding opportunity to [email protected]

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