Technical Assistance for Improved Subnational Service Delivery and Decentralisation Reform - Cambodia

The contract concerns the provision and management of technical assistance services to support the implementation of the programme "Improved Service Delivery for Citizens in Cambodia II (ISD II)", a multi-donor initiative jointly financed by Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The overall objective of ISD II is to improve inclusive, climate-sensitive and digital public service delivery at District and Municipal level (DMs) in selected provinces of Cambodia, in the context of the National Programme for Sub-National Democratic Development (NP-2). Under Cambodia´s NP-2, numerous functions have been transferred to subnational administrations. Despite progress, significant implementation gaps remain in operational service delivery, planning and budgeting, accountability mechanisms, and the legal and financial framework conditions. Additional challenges include gender inequality, limited participation of disadvantaged groups, climate risks, digital transformation gaps, and pressures resulting from border-related tensions and internal displacement. ISD II follows a systemic, multi-level approach and works with 18 competitively selected "champion DMs" in four partner provinces. The programme combines operational improvements in selected administrative and sector services (e.g. waste management, small-scale irrigation, social services) with institutional strengthening in organisational development, local planning and budgeting, and leadership. Furthermore, the programme strengthens participation and social accountability mechanisms, promotes peer-learning and knowledge exchange among DMs, and supports the development of improved legal, financial and strategic framework conditions at national level. Evidence generated at local level will inform national reform processes in a bottom-up manner. The project is structured around five interlinked programme outputs: - Output 1: Improved operational capacity of selected DMs for inclusive, climate-sensitive and digital delivery of administrative and selected sector services (e.g. optimisation and digitalisation of One Window Service Offices, development of service improvement plans, implementation of demonstration measures). - Output 2: Strengthened institutional capacities of selected DMs to perform steering and management functions, including organisational development, planning and budgeting systems, gender-responsive human resource management and leadership strengthening. - Output 3: Strengthened mechanisms for meaningful citizen participation and accountability in service provision at DM level, including improvement of participation and social accountability frameworks at local and national levels. - Output 4: Improved access of DM practitioners to relevant knowledge, peer-learning and institutionalised training formats to support sustainable service delivery and scaling of tested approaches. - Output 5: Improved legal, financial and strategic framework conditions for inclusive, climate-sensitive and digital service provision through technical advisory support to national partner institutions and structured multi-level dialogue processes. Cross-cutting principles include gender equality, the Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principle, climate sensitivity, digitalisation ("Digital by Default"), and conflict sensitivity ("Do No Harm"). By combining pilot implementation, scaling mechanisms and structured policy dialogue, ISD II aims to contribute sustainably to improved subnational governance and enhanced access of the population to quality public services.?