Request for Proposals: Women in Clean Energy Internship Program 2, Cambodia

KEY INFORMATION
 
Job Title: Request for Proposals: Women in Clean Energy Internship Program Cohort 2
Sector: Clean Energy, Training, Gender Equality
Position Type: Full-Time
Duration/Level of Effort: Long-Term
Position Location: Cambodia
 
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
 
The CAPRED Facility is Australia's flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience over the next five years, with a possible three-year extension. The Facility 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 supports Cambodia's transition toward a cleaner, more reliable, and affordable energy system. This includes technical assistance to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Electricité du Cambodge (EDC), Electricity Authority of Cambodia (EAC) and private sector stakeholders to accelerate the integration of renewable energy, promote energy efficiency, and strengthen technical capacity in the energy sector.
 
As the sector grows, there is an increasing demand for skilled technical and operational personnel. However, gaps remain in the transition from education to employment, including limited practical exposure for graduates, weak linkages between universities and industry, and a lack of structured entry pathways into technical roles.
Women remain underrepresented in technical positions, facing additional barriers such as limited field exposure, weaker professional networks, and workplace-related constraints.
 
In response to these challenges, CAPRED initiated the Women in Clean Energy Internship Program to support female engineering graduates in transitioning into technical roles within Cambodia's clean energy sector.
 
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
 
CAPRED seeks to engage a qualified consulting firm/consortium to implement Cohort 2 of the Women in Clean Energy Internship Program.
 
The assignment will deliver a structured and safeguarded internship program that supports female engineering graduates to transition into technical roles through pre-placement training, industry placements, mentorship, and ongoing support.
 
Building on lessons from the first cohort, the program will expand placements into additional clean energy subsectors where women remain underrepresented, including energy efficiency and e-mobility, while strengthening training delivery, placement matching, and overall program implementation.
 
The detailed Terms of Reference can be found here: https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RFP26-065-Women-In-Clean-Energy-Internship-Program-Cohort-2.pdf
 
SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
 
The selected consulting firm/consortium will be responsible for the end-to-end implementation of the Women in Clean Energy Internship Program Cohort 2.
 
Key Components of the Program

1. Pre-placement training and preparation

• Deliver structured and safeguarded training for all interns
• Include core modules such as workplace readiness, soft skills, safeguarding, HSE, and professional conduct
• Provide technical foundation training and additional modules tailored to placement subsectors

1. Industry placements

• Place up to 15 interns with qualified host organisations
• Ensure each placement includes a defined scope of work and supervision arrangements
• Ensure host organisations provide safe and supportive working environments in line with safeguarding requirements

1. Mentorship and career guidance

• Assign mentors to support interns throughout the placement period
• Provide access to additional mentors where needed
• Facilitate regular engagement between mentors and interns

1. Monitoring and program support

• Conduct regular check-ins with interns and host organisations
• Carry out monitoring visits to placement sites
• Organise a mid-term review and provide additional support where required
• Apply simplified reporting tools to track progress

1. Final assessment and stakeholder engagement

• Conduct an end-of-program assessment, including feedback from interns, host companies, and mentors
• Organise a closing event to share results and lessons learned
• Prepare and submit a final report with findings and recommendations

 
JOB REQUIREMENTS
 
The consulting firm/consortium shall demonstrate that it has the necessary experience, technical capacity, and qualified personnel to carry out the assignment. The firm may propose a team of experts with complementary expertise.
 
Firm Experience
 
The consulting firm/consortium shall demonstrate:
Core program relevance

• Proven experience in designing and/or implementing internship, training, or workforce development programs
• Experience working in clean energy, engineering, or related technical sectors

Implementation and coordination capacity

• Experience engaging and coordinating with private sector companies, including facilitating workplace placements or partnerships
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including development partners, government institutions, and/or universities

Inclusion and safeguarding

• Demonstrated experience integrating gender equality, inclusion, and/or youth-focused approaches into program delivery
• Experience implementing programs with safeguarding, duty of care, or safe workplace practices

Strategic and analytical capacity

• Experience aligning program implementation with national policies and sector priorities
• Demonstrated ability to analyse program results and translate findings into actionable recommendations

Reporting and documentation

• Demonstrated experience in producing clear and structured reports, including progress reporting, analysis, and final evaluation outputs

Team Composition and Qualifications
 
The proposed team shall include relevant expertise to deliver the assignment, including:

• Relevant academic and professional background in engineering, energy, education, or related fields
• Experience in delivering training and facilitating learning programs
• Experience supporting early-career professionals, youth, or internship programs
• Experience in program coordination and stakeholder engagement
• Strong communication and facilitation skills
• Strong reporting and documentation skills, including the ability to prepare clear progress updates and contribute to final reporting

Other Qualifications

• Demonstrate integrity and high ethical standards.
• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treat all people fairly and equally.
• Fulfil obligations to GEDSI sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
• Strictly complies with the DFAT Child Protection Code of Conduct and policy (https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/child-protection-policy.pdf)
• Teams with a gender balance are strongly encouraged to apply

 
APPLICATION PROCESS
 
The proposals, including the Technical and Financial Response Form, must be submitted no later than         5 pm (Phnom Penh time), 29 May 2026 by email to procurement@capred.org with "RFP - Women in Clean Energy Internship Program Cohort 2" in the subject line. Any proposals submitted after this time and date will not be considered.
 
The applicant is required to submit the Response Form in English (form provided separately), and with an indication of a daily rate for each task/service as per section C of the Response Form. The rate should include any and all costs to carry out the work in the specified location. In addition to the proposal fee, the applicant should also detail any other relevant assumptions or required terms.
 
The program will host a Q&A session on 21 May 2026. Interested bidders may register to join the briefing by emailing procurement@capred.org, no later than 20 May 2026.
 
CAPRED is also available to answer questions or provide further details on the scope of work. Please email procurement@capred.org with the subject line: Women in Clean Energy Internship Program Cohort 2 - Enquiry, no later than 22 May 2026.
 
Attachments:

• Technical Response Form - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RFP26-065-Techncial-Response-Form.docx
• Financial Response Form - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RFP26-065-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.