International Consultant for Digital Adoption Expert

Workplace Circumstances

• Environment: Office
• Languages: English, Khmer
• Location: Phnom Penh

Position Summary

Program: Enterprises Go Digital Program

Type: Individual Selection

Consultant Source:

• Intermittent, 90-Person Days, Lump-Sum Contract
• Contract Period: 6 months, with extendable if required

Expertise: International Digital Expert

Objective

The main objectives of the consultancy are to design and prepare the Enterprises Go Digital Program Proposal (2027–2030) and develop the program's Theory of Change, Strategic Plan and Results Framework that serves as a central platform for Cambodian MSMEs to access digital tools, knowledge, skills, advisory services, and networks, enabling them to adopt technologies, foster innovation, and enhance growth and competitiveness.

Scope of Work

The International Digital Adoption Expert

The International Consultant should focus on strategic advisory, international benchmarking, institutional design, and development of the next phase of the EGD Program (2027–2030). The consultant will transfer knowledge to the National Consultant, provide quality assurance for all key outputs, and will work with the EGD team. The Expert’s scope of work spans five core pillars, but is not limited to:

Duties & Responsibilities

• Digital Adoption Strategy
• Landscape Assessment: Conduct comprehensive global and regional benchmarking research to evaluate existing digital support initiatives against international best practices, designing tailor-made strategies specifically mapped to the Cambodian MSME context.
• Policy & Roadmap: Contribute expert insights to formulate and refine sector-specific national digital policies and directly assist the EGD team in developing a comprehensive digital adoption initiative roadmap.
• Program Upgrades: Review and evaluate the performance of current digital adoption programs, providing strategic recommendations for future updates, expansions, and structural improvements.
• Digital Hub Architecture, Governance & Sustainability
• Service Offer Design: Define and structure the Digital Supporting Hub’s core service offerings, including technical advisory frameworks, digital skills training curricula, vendor matchmaking protocols, and curated access to digital tools.
• Operational Blueprinting: Propose robust governance structures, optimal staffing plans, technology platform requirements, and a long-term financial sustainability model to ensure the Hub’s independent viability.
• Ecosystem Building, Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
• Strategic Brokerage: Propose and execute a comprehensive partnership and engagement strategy to align key ecosystem players, including government agencies, the private sector, tech providers, academia, and international development partners.
• Alliance & Knowledge Networks: Identify and engage critical local, regional, and international stakeholders to establish knowledge-transfer mechanisms, share institutional lessons learned, and secure potential funding pathways for entrepreneurs.
• Data-Driven Diagnostics, Analytics & Innovation Support
• Diagnostic Frameworks: Assist the EGD team in refining and deploying MSME digital diagnostic tools, specifically utilizing the Digital Maturity Index and Digital Readiness Assessments.
• Behavioral Data Analysis: Conduct advanced data analysis on MSME digital adoption behaviors to identify market trends, adoption barriers, and high-impact intervention opportunities.
• Vendor Quality Assurance: Perform technical reviews and assessments of digital solution providers' reports to ensure high-quality, high-utility tech delivery to MSMEs.
• Inclusive Program Management, Budgeting & Evaluation
• Work Planning: Support the EGD team in drafting realistic annual work and budget plans and aligning resource budgets to project milestones.
• Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E): Assist in developing a rigorous M&E framework and toolset to track implementation progress, monitor equity in digital access, and manage risk through periodic performance reporting.
• Inclusion Frameworks: Ensure all digital adoption and capacity-building strategies are inherently inclusive, explicitly addressing and removing barriers faced by MSMEs in rural or underserved areas.
• Executive Support: Perform other strategic, technical, or operational tasks as assigned by EGD/TSC senior management to guarantee effective program implementation.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate Degree in ICT, MIS, Digital Transformation, Business Administration, Public Policy, International Development, or a closely related field

Work History

• International & Regional Expertise: operating as an international consultant or advisor. Direct experience working within developing economies, with a strong preference for Cambodia or the broader ASEAN region for 5 years as a minimum

General & Technical Skills

• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience leading digital transformation strategies, digital adoption initiatives, or running technology hub frameworks.
• Proven track record in MSME Development: Direct experience designing diagnostic tools (such as Digital Maturity Indices or Digital Readiness Assessments) and tailor-made digital interventions specifically for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Policy & Strategy Formulation: Demonstrated experience working alongside government bodies, development partners (e.g., UNDP, ADB, World Bank), or senior ministries to formulate national-level digital roadmaps, ecosystem frameworks, or policies.
• Data Analytics: Solid expertise in assessing behavioral data trends regarding how non-technical businesses adopt or resist technology.
• Operational & Governance Design: Proven ability to build "Service Architectures" and sustainable financial models for innovation hubs, business incubators, or digital support centers.
• M&E Framework Development: Experience designing Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) systems, defining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and setting up reporting loops for multi-stakeholder programs.
• Ecosystem Brokerage: Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills with a proven capacity to bridge communication gaps between disparate groups: high-level government officials, private tech vendors, academia, and rural MSMEs.
• Inclusion Advocate: Deep understanding of the socioeconomic barriers preventing digital equity, with proven success designing accessible strategies for rural or underserved populations.
• Adaptability & Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to navigate complex institutional environments in developing contexts smoothly and productively.
• Certifications in digital transformation, project management, or change management are a plus.
• Proven experience in managing projects, providing digital training, designing roadmaps and organization development.
• Familiarity with digital inclusion, data governance, and digital adoption is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-level consultation and facilitate complex policy dialogue involving government, civil society, enterprise and development partners.