Consultant for Research & Advocacy Program

Terms of Reference

Assignment Title: Support CamboJA to review and edit quarterly/annual monitoring report on human rights violations against journalists.
Position Title: Consultant for Research & Advocacy Program
Timeframe: 15 October 2026 – 31 December 2027
Location: Remote (virtual engagement)
Total Budget: Deliverables-based payment (inclusive of withholding tax)

Objective: To provide comprehensive review and edit CamboJA quarterly/annual monitoring report of journalists' safety in Cambodia

1. Background

CamboJA is a membership association of Cambodian journalists and media workers established in 2019 in the wake of rapid decline of press freedom in the country. To contribute to the inclusive and sustainable development in Cambodia, we, the CamboJA envision that, “Everyone (living in Cambodia) enjoy freedom of the press and the right of access to information.” We mandate ourselves to promote freedom of the press, provide credible news, and support and protect journalists at risk or harassed. CamboJA works assertively with all stakeholders to build a strong journalist and media professional community in Cambodia focusing on capacity building, advocacy, strengthening support base, and building enabling environment for independent journalists.

Under a UNESCO IPDC-funded project completed in 2024, CamboJA partnered with a Journalism Safety Research Expert of the Center for Freedom of the Media based at the University of Sheffield to develop and standardize CamboJA's journalists safety monitoring framework/methodology to be aligned with international human rights standards and UNESCO's Journalists Safety Indicators. The framework was launched in December 2024 and has been operationalized from January 2025 onward. To review the methodology, please visit CamboJA's latest annual report.

To ensure the monitoring framework and methodology are applied effectively, CamboJA’s Research & Advocacy team requires support from a qualified research consultant. The consultant will help ensure the rigorous methodology is consistently followed, maintain the quality of monitoring reports, and strengthen the team’s analytical and report-writing capacity.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

To provide editorial review to enhance the quality of quarterly monitoring reports and strengthen the research and analysis capacity of the monitoring team.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will be expected to:

Reporting Support

• Review the data in the monitoring spreadsheet and provide editorial feedback on five quarterly and one annual monitoring reports:

  • Q3 2026
  • Q4 2026
  • Annual 2026
  • Q1 2027
  • Q2 2027
  • Q3 2027

• Ensure alignment with the existing monitoring methodology and editorial standards
• Provide guidance on interpreting data and presenting findings clearly and accurately

4. Deliverables and Timeline

(Specific deadlines/dates to be finalized in consultation with the consultant.)

5. Duration and Level of Effort

The consultancy will span 15 October 2026 to 31 December 2027, with an estimated 20 working days total, spread across deliverables. The distribution of days will be flexible and agreed upon at the start of the consultancy.

6. Budget and Payment Schedule

The total budget for this consultancy is deliverables-based payment (inclusive of withholding tax) Payments will be made in six tranches aligned with deliverables.

7. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will work closely with the Research & Advocacy team of CamboJA, under the overall coordination of Program Director. All work will be conducted remotely, with regular coordination via virtual meetings and email.

8. Required Qualification Independent expert or registered entity with demonstrated specialization in journalism safety research, press freedom, and human rights monitoring.

• Expert knowledge of journalism safety, press freedom, and international human rights principles, including their application to monitoring and reporting on violations against journalists.
• Extensive professional experience producing media freedom, human rights violation, or evidence-based advocacy reports, with a particular focus on press freedom and journalism safety.
• Strong understanding of global and Cambodian media freedom contexts, including risks, trends, and safety challenges affecting journalists.
• Native-speaking-level English proficiency, with proven ability to review, edit, and strengthen analytical reports for clarity, accuracy, professional tone, and publication-ready quality.
• Ability to commit to the consultancy timeframe and meet all deadlines set out in this ToR.
• Commitment to inclusion, gender equality, diversity, safeguarding, accountability, and CamboJA’s mission and values.

9. How to apply

Interested candidates should submit their Curriculum Vitae (CV), a cover letter, and proposed budget to applications@camboja.net. 

Deadline: Monday, 21st September 2026.