Position: Australia–Cambodia Trade and Investment Opportunities Research Consultant

Reports to: Lead Economist 

Location: Remote or Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Period of Assignment: 6 months

Duration: up to 30 working days for the first assignment (and up to 30 days for follow on work based on the outcomes of the first assignment).

Employment type: Short-term Consultancy

Contractual arrangement: Open to International and Cambodian applicants 

Program Background

The CAPRED Facility is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience over the next four years, with a possible three-year extension. 

The Facility supports Cambodia in implementing a range of necessary economic interventions and reforms to maintain the country’s economic transition. These interventions and reforms are primarily aimed at encouraging more productive and inclusive public and private investment, which promotes 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 one Cross-Cutting component comprising: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); Climate Resilient initiatives, and policy support. GEDSI is at the heart of all that CAPRED does.

Position Summary

CAPRED is seeking a motivated and experienced consultant with strong research, analytical, and communication skills to deliver a landscape scan of Australian firms doing business in SEA, to identify potential partners for CAPRED trade and investment work.  

The assignment comprises two steps:

• Rapid identification of any additional sector and subsector opportunities where Australian and Cambodian strengths are complementary, beyond those previously identified (agricultural technologies and services, processed food and beverages, and equipment and services for renewable energy).
• Map and profile firms—identify Australian firms active in priority sectors across Southeast Asia (especially Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand), then assess the potential to expand into Cambodia (or Cambodian exports to Australia).

Responsibilities and Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following activities:

              1. Inception Phase

• • Kick-off meeting with CAPRED and the Australian Embassy’s Head of Trade and Investment.
  • Desk review of existing research, relevant policies, sector studies, and trade/investment data, including the Cambodian government’s new Investment Promotion Roadmap and the Australian government’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy.
  • Work plan and research framework, including proposed data sources and methods.

              2. Sector Opportunity Identification and Prioritisation 

• • Define transparent criteria (e.g., demand/market size, competitiveness, enabling environment, value chain integration, regulatory considerations, impact and feasibility).
  • Produce sector/subsector short list and prioritisation matrix.
  • Draft concise value propositions for priority sectors.

              3. Firm profiling 

• • Use trade & investment data and responsible AI/web scraping techniques to identify firms.
  • (With CAPRED/DFAT facilitation) coordinate with Austrade for additional exporter data in priority sectors.
  • Develop firm profiles (products/services, markets, capabilities, competitive advantages) and assess pathways for Cambodia entry (or Cambodian export pathways to Australia).

              4. Report and Recommendations

• • Prepare a draft report and presentation synthesising sector opportunities, firm profiles and recommended entry pathways.
  • Present findings to CAPRED and stakeholders; integrate feedback into the final report.
  • Provide practical next steps (e.g., targeted outreach sequence, partnering options, and collateral needs).

Follow on activities 

Depending on the outcome of the above analysis, the consultant may be asked to undertake follow-on activities such as:

1. More detailed sub-sector investment value propositions.
2. Assistance in surveying and approaching the shortlisted firms.
3. Detailed investment value propositions for shortlisted firms.
4. Other activities to support CAPRED’s trade and investment activities.

Estimated level of effort (LoE)

Selection Criteria

• Strong understanding of trade and investment linkages between Australia and Southeast Asia.
• Demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the priority sectors (renewable energy or agricultural).
• Proven experience in private sector development, trade promotion, or investment analysis. The following types of experience would be highly relevant:
  • Experience at a trade and investment promotion agency.
  • Experience exploring new investment or trade opportunities for a multinational company. 
• Ability to apply data-driven approaches, including trade data analysis. Experience with AI/web-scraping tools is desirable.
• Excellent analytical, reporting, and presentation skills.
• A Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience in economics, business, international trade, or a related field.
• Experience working with development programs, donor-funded projects, or international organisations is preferred.

Compliance 

• Comply with DFAT, Cowater and CAPRED policies on gender, disability, fraud and anticorruption, child protection, and the environment.
• Maintain high standards of conduct, especially regarding the child abuse or risks to children and protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
• Proactively identify and report risks and manage risks within your level of accountability.

Closing Date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible. The application process will close once the position is filled, or if not, on 25th November 2025.

How to apply

Please send your cover letter and CV with name and contact details (phone and email) of three professional referees with your expected daily rate to recruitment@capred.org mentioning the position you apply for in the subject line “Australia–Cambodia Trade and Investment Opportunities Research Consultant”.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to the professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicants on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.  CAPRED aims to have a diverse workforce at all levels, and a workplace that is supportive of gender equality, disability and social inclusion. Women, people with disabilities and other minorities are highly encouraged to apply.

Only applicants shortlisted will be contacted for interview.