Tenders are invited for Consultancy for Feasibility Study. Closing Date: 8 Jan 2026 Type: Consultancy 1. Background Information Kindernothilfe e.V. (KNH) is a Non-Governmental Organization founded in 1959. KNH works with local non-governmental organizations and their networks in 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe to realize and protect childrens rights. In Germany, KNH engages in awareness raising, education and advocacy relating to development policies and particularly to the implementation of the Child Rights Convention. In Thailand, KNH has been supporting the work of local partner organizations for more than 28 years. Through funding support from KNH and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to Baan Dek Foundation (BDF) for Phase 1 of the project, BDF was able to implement strategies aimed at generating systemic impact to better advocate for systematic changes within the Thai construction sector. Phase 1 of the project focused on the implementation of child rights for migrant children living in construction site camps in Thailand and to bring about changes in the living conditions of these children, enabling them access to essential public services. BDFs engagement with construction companies in Phase 1 of the project (from December 2022 - February 2026) has resulted in increased interest and commitments from construction companies to respond to the needs of migrant workers and children living in construction site camps, and integrate business and human rights, and child rights and business principles into company-wide practices. In particular, the project outcomes demonstrated the relevance and effectiveness of the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) and approaches in improving camp conditions and company practices. Towards this, KNH intends to extend support to BDF in implementing Phase 2 of the project focusing on the establishment and integration of social specifications into public construction procurement and regulatory frameworks, strengthening public-private collaboration, and establishing monitoring and reporting mechanisms aligned with government systems. The aim is to bring about change in the social practices and alignment of public construction practices with business and human rights, and child rights and business principles to achieve sector-wide and sustainable improvements in child rights and migrant worker protection within the construction sector. This project will receive funding from KNH and from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). 2. Purpose of the Feasibility Study The study is a prerequisite for funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The purpose of the feasibility study is to provide a sound basis for further developing the project strategies into a project proposal by identifying project prerequisites, opportunities, and risks. As such, the outcomes of this study will provide evidence-based data to support the project development processes for Phase 2 by assessing the feasibility, relevance, risks and opportunities, and institutional readiness for systemic change in the Thai public construction sector. The specific objectives of the feasibility study are as follows: Analyze the political, institutional, and socio-economic context related to migrant workers, children, and Thai public construction procurement processes within the Thai construction sector. Critically review the Theory of Change (can be made available upon request), proposed strategies, and intervention plan with regard to relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability, under realistic political, institutional, and implementation conditions. Identify the most effective procurement leverage points for embedding social specifications that change contractor behavior, and assess subcontractor capacity and incentive structures to ensure feasible adoption and reduced resistance across the supply chain. Provide practical recommendations to refine project strategies, sequencing, partnerships, governance mechanisms, and monitoring systems. Assess alternative implementation scenarios (e.g. phased pilots, voluntary vs. mandatory mechanisms, selected ministries vs. national rollout) and provide a reasoned assessment of their feasibility and potential trade-offs. Assess BDFs capacity in view of the planned intervention with suggestion - where necessary - of measures to strengthen the capacity of the organization. 3. Methodology The consultant is expected to apply the suggested methodology outlined below. However, additional or alternative methods may be applied where relevant and justified. The feasibility study will adopt a mixed-methods approach, with an emphasis on system-level understanding and the development of plausible implementation hypotheses, rather than detailed policy or procurement instrument design. 1. Desk Review A structured desk review will be conducted to establish a comprehensive understanding of the policy, regulatory, and operational context relevant to the integration of social specifications in the Thai construction sector. This will include, but not be limited to: National policies and legal frameworks, including the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP-BHR), public procurement regulations, child protection, migration, and labour-related laws and policies Relevant international frameworks and standards, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), Child Rights and Business Principles (CRBP), OECD guidelines, and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) Existing BSI tools and approaches, SAT data, Phase 1 project reports, and related field research studies Relevant internal monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) data from BDF The desk review will support system mapping and inform the identification of potential leverage points and constraints within public construction procurement and implementation processes. 2. Qualitative Data Collection Qualitative data will be collected through in-depth interviews and/or focus group discussions (FGDs), using participatory methods where appropriate, with key stakeholder groups relevant to the project. These may include, but are not limited to: Government agencies (e.g. RLPD, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Interior, BMA) involved in public construction, procurement, labour, child protection, migration, health, education; Developers, Construction companies and subcontractors involved in public projects; Civil society organizations and service providers; Migrant construction workers and their children (to be consulted with BDF on the accessibility to this target group for primary and secondary data collection) 3. Validation discussions with BDF and key stakeholders o Political economy: light political economy analysis to assess interests, incentives, power dynamics, and resistance among key actors affecting feasibility and adoption. o Scenarios: scenario testing to assess alternative pathways for integrating social specifications into public procurement and regulatory frameworks. The Phase 2 Concept Note will serve as a core reference document but should be critically examined rather than assumed. 4. Areas of Research and Expected Results Area 1: Context and Policy Analysis What national-level policies, strategies, action plans, and/or development plans are in place to address the identified problems and to serve the specific needs of migrant children and their families living in construction site camps? What are some of the specific national policies, laws, and regulations that discuss the mandatory enforcement of social specifications in the Thai public construction projects? (for e.g., Public Procurement Act, procurement regulations under the Ministry of Finance, NAP-BHR, labour and migration laws, child protection frameworks) What is the implementation status of these policies, strategies, action plans, and/or development plans within public construction projects? Where are the real decision-making and enforcement points? What are some of the key evidence demonstrating the effectiveness and/or weakness of these policies regarding the protection of migrant construction workers and their children in Thailand? Are there any documented gaps between the intent of these policies and on-site realities? Where do implementation failures most commonly occur? To what extent do current policies create enabling conditions or constrains for integrating legally binding social specifications into public construction procurement? Which policy instruments could realistically be strengthened, amended, or operationalized within the timeframe of Phase 2 implementation? Area 2: Public Project and Procurement Process Public project and procurement cycle: At which stages of the public construction project and procurement cycle (planning, tendering, contracting, implementation, supervision, payment, and monitoring) can social specifications be applied, and where are the real decision-making and enforcement points in practice? Institutional roles and authority: Which governmental agencies and units have formal and effective authority over construction procurement, contracting, site camp regulation, and enforcement, and how do coordination and decision-making differ across administrative or geographic contexts? Supply chain structure and incentives: How are public construction supply chains structured, which actors exercise real control over working and living conditions, and what incentives, constraints, and likely behavioural responses of contractors and subcontractors affect the feasibility of embedding social specifications? Area 2: Analysis of Government Duty Bearers, Pri Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4192619/consultancy-feasibility-study
