UNICEF Thailand is seeking a qualified institutional contractor to conduct an in-depth quantitative and qualitative study of youth poverty in Thailand. This includes reviewing existing research, data, policies and guidelines, and relevant initiatives in Thailand and good practices globally (as appropriate), as well as collect new participatory evidence on lived experience of youth in poverty in Thailand     Background   Thailand's transition to upper-middle-income status and aspirations toward OECD membership call for an inclusive development strategy that addresses persistent inequalities. While the country has achieved substantial reductions in monetary poverty—declining from 34.1 million individuals in 1988 to 2.4 million in 2023[1] alongside significant population growth—monetary measures based on household income or consumption offer only a partial view of poverty.   Recent national analyses using the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and Child MPI reveal that poverty encompasses a broader set of deprivations, including those related to education, health, and living standards. For instance, while income-based child poverty has declined, multidimensional indicators show higher and more persistent levels of deprivation, underscoring the limitations of relying solely on monetary metrics.[2]   There is currently no dedicated analysis of poverty among youth aged 15-24 — neither monetary nor multidimensional — leaving a critical evidence gap. Youth may experience poverty in ways that differ significantly from other age groups. They face age-specific challenges such as school-to-work transitions, exclusion from formal employment, mental health vulnerabilities, and unequal access to social protection and digital infrastructure. These deprivations are particularly acute for marginalized youth, including those with disabilities, living in slums, rural areas, or from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds. Standard poverty measures often fail to capture these multidimensional and transitional aspects.   Furthermore, existing poverty frameworks are largely designed by adult experts, which may lead to a conceptual disconnect from young people lived experiences. Such approaches risk overlooking subjective and relational dimensions of poverty that are particularly salient for youth.   A focused study on youth poverty — grounded in mixed-method and participatory approaches — is therefore critical and timely to generate age-sensitive evidence that reflects youth perspectives and informs more targeted, effective, and equitable policy responses. Addressing this evidence gap is important to supporting Thailand’s broader development goals and ensuring that no group is left behind.     Objectives, Purpose & Expected results   UNICEF Thailand is seeking a qualified institutional contractor to conduct an in-depth quantitative and qualitative study of youth poverty in Thailand. This includes reviewing existing research, data, policies and guidelines, and relevant initiatives in Thailand and good practices globally (as appropriate), as well as collect new participatory evidence on lived experience of youth in poverty in Thailand   The overarching goal to raise awareness of youth poverty and inform inclusive and youth-responsive policies through generating new, actionable evidence on youth poverty in Thailand.   The study has the following objectives:   - To analyze the prevalence and multidimensional nature of youth poverty in Thailand using existing datasets and secondary analysis. - To understand the lived experiences of youth poverty — how young people define and experience poverty in their own terms — capturing subjective and relational dimensions to enrich current measurement approaches. - To examine how intersecting forms of disadvantage (e.g., gender, ethnicity/minority status, disability, and urban/rural divides) shape youth poverty.  -To pilot participatory, youth-led research methods, including the co-design of tools and validation of findings with young people. - To generate insights and recommendations that inform poverty reduction strategies through a youth lens, contributing to national youth policies as well as social protection and labor market reforms.   Expected Results:   This study will:   - Address critical data knowledge gaps in understanding youth poverty in Thailand, including adopting the relative poverty[3] approach and defining youth poverty as a lack of access to opportunities and command over resources that are considered customary for the average Thai youth, encompassing both financial and social dimensions; distinguishing youth poverty from adult and child poverty by providing gender-, age-, and location-disaggregated insights, and capturing hidden dimensions of poverty and the lived experience of youth in poverty through the voices of young people themselves, including most marginalized. - Raise awareness and inform national planning for inclusive youth policies, education, skills development and employment strategies, as well as social protection policies. - Serve as a model for meaningful youth engagement in research, enhancing both the legitimacy and the policy uptake of the findings.   The study is primarily intended for national policymakers to guide youth development, social protection, and poverty reduction strategies/programs, while also serving a broader audience including academia, researchers, development partners and youth organizations, making the case for integrated, youth-centered, and multidimensional responses.   Description of the assignment This research will follow a mixed-methods design combining secondary data analysis and participatory qualitative research. The assignment will be completed in four phases over 10–12 months:   Inception Phase: Develop study design, detailed methodology for secondary data analysis and primary data collection.  Refine methodology and tools through engagement with the youth advisory group, as well as the expert reference group. Compile a list of “youth related” poverty reduction strategies, policies and programmes in Thailand. Secondary data analysis Phase: Disaggregate existing datasets (SES, MICS, etc.) to analyze youth-specific monetary indicators and multidimensional poverty dimensions. Disaggregate data where possible by gender, disability, migrant status, urban/rural, age, etc. Prepare summary of key existing poverty reduction policies, programs and initiatives at national and local levels.  See the “Methodology and Approach” section for details. Primary data collection Phase: Conduct participatory fieldwork using youth-led focus groups, surveys, interviews, photovoice and/or participatory action research in diverse geographic and social settings. See the “Methodology and Approach” section for details. Validation and Dissemination: Present findings through youth consultations and policy dialogues with government, CSOs, and other partners.   Methodology and Approach   The study will adopt a mixed-methods and participatory approach, combining secondary data analysis with youth-led qualitative and quantitative primary data collection. Methodological rigor, inclusivity, and ethical standards are central to this research.   Minimum Methodological Requirements. While the implementing partner will propose a detailed methodology during the inception phase, the following minimum expectations must be met:   Sampling Design and Inclusion Criteria The study must ensure national coverage, with a minimum representation across: Geographical diversity: urban and rural areas, and at least 4 major regions (North, Northeast, Central, South). Vulnerable and marginalized groups: including but not limited to youth with disabilities, ethnic minorities, migrants, youth in slums or informal settlements, out-of-school youth, and NEETs (not in education, employment, or training). Gender balance and age disaggregation (e.g., 15–19, 20–24). A sampling frame for qualitative fieldwork should include at least 4-6 locations, chosen to reflect intersectional disadvantage (e.g., urban slum in Bangkok, rural border community, ethnic minority village, etc.).   Participatory and Youth-Led Methods Youth must be engaged as co-researchers, not only participants, throughout the research cycle: including tool co-design, data collection, and validation. Participatory tools may include: Photovoice Youth-led interviews or focus groups Participatory mapping or ranking exercises Digital diaries or storytelling   Tools should be adapted to suit the socio-cultural context and age-specific communication preferences (e.g., visual methods, local language facilitation).   Secondary Data Analysis The contractor must conduct disaggregation of existing national datasets (e.g., MICS, SES, LFS), incl. using indicators aligned with multidimensional poverty frameworks. Analysis must cover both monetary and non-monetary dimensions (e.g., education, digital access, psychosocial well-being). Data should be disaggregated at minimum by: age, sex, region, urban/rural, migration status, and disability status, where possible.   Ethical Considerations All research activities must comply with the UNICEF Procedure on Ethical Standards in Research, Evaluation, Data Collection and Analysis. Please refer to No.5 of this TOR.   Specific attention should be paid to: Obtaining informed consent and assent from youth and caregivers where applicable. Safeguarding youth during sensitive discussions (e.g., experiences of exclusion, violence, or mental distress). Ensuring confidentiality and voluntary participation, particularly among marginalized or undocumented youth.   An Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval will be required, and the contractor must present a risk mitigation strategy, especially when working with vulnerable populations.   Knowledge Co-Production and Validation A Youth Advisory Group, comprising members of UNICEF’s Youth Advisory Board and beyond, and an Expert Reference Group will be established by UNICEF during the Inception Phase. The Youth Advisory Group will co-guide the research process. At least two youth-led validation workshops must be held to ensure the findings reflect lived realities. Youth will also co-develop one or more policy briefs or advocacy products aimed at translating findings into actionable messages The Expert Reference Group, comprising prominent poverty researchers in the country and relevant government stakeholders, will be consulted at a minimum during the design stage, providing feedback during draft development and supporting validation of results.   Adaptation to Thai Context While the study may draw from global frameworks (e.g., ATD Fourth World, OPHI), all tools, narratives, and findings must be culturally and linguistically adapted to the Thai context. Attention should be given to localized interpretations of poverty, dignity, and social belonging, especially among diverse ethnic and regional groups.     Deliverables and Timeline   The objectives of the study are both distinct and linked. Hence, despite the deliverables being scheduled in a linear timeline as below, the work processes are expected to be implemented both sequentially and concomitantly as per what is considered fit for the study.    Regular coordination/ meetings between the research team, UNICEF, and key partners will be scheduled throughout the inception and implementation phases to review progress and provide feedback. The contractor is expected to coordinate and ensure communication with UNICEF, partners and others involved in the project in accordance with deadlines.   Activities and Deliverables   INCEPTION phase (estimated 20 working days)   Project kick-off By October 2025   Deliverable 1: Inception Report (English and Thai) Inception Report outlining the shared understanding on the scope of work, methodological approach (quantitative, qualitative and participatory), ethical considerations, as well as a brief overview of existing youth-related poverty reduction policies and strategies. Estimated timeline of deliverables: November 2025   RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS Phase I # Secondary Data Analysis (estimated 20 working days)   Deliverable 2: Analytical Report (Phase I) (English) Analytical outputs based on secondary data analysis: dataset disaggregation, youth-specific poverty profiles (monetary and multidimensional), and summary of existing definitions, policies and initiatives. Estimated timeline of deliverables: December 2025 to March 2026   RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS Phase II # Primary Data Collection and Analysis (estimated 40 working days)   Deliverable 3: Tools and protocols for participatory, quantitative and qualitative research (e.g., surveys, interview guides, photovoice consent forms, facilitation guides), and implementation of fieldwork with youth (English and Thai) Estimated timeline of deliverables: December 2025 to March 2026   Deliverable 4: Transcripts, photovoice documentation, focus group summaries, and initial reflections from youth participants (English and Thai) Estimated timeline of deliverables: January # March 2026   Deliverable 5: Analytical Report detailing the findings of the primary data collection (Phase II) (English) Estimated timeline of deliverables: April 2026   SYNTHESIS AND VALIDATION (estimated 20 working days)   Deliverable 6: Draft synthesis report integrating quantitative and qualitative findings on youth poverty, including actionable insights and policy implications (English and Thai) Estimated timeline of deliverables: May # June 2026   Deliverable 7: Draft Youth-led policy brief(s) developed collaboratively with youth advisory group (English and Thai) Estimated timeline of deliverables: May - June 2026 Deliverable 8: Presentation and validation of findings national stakeholders (UNICEF, government, youth networks). Summary notes from national stakeholder (incl. expert advisory group and youth advisory group) presentation/validation workshop (s). (English and Thai) Estimated timeline of deliverables: June - July 2026   FINALIZATION (estimated 10 working days)   Deliverable 9 - Finalization of the final deliverables in English and Thai, including: Final Analytical Synthesis Report and Youth-led Policy Brief(s) Estimated timeline of deliverables: July # August 2026   For full details, please refer to the attached Annex B - Terms of Reference.   This tender will be run through the UNICEF e-submissions system (UNGM). By clicking on the blue ‘Express Interest’ button in the UNGM tender notice, the full UNICEF e-submission system instructions to bidders document (including instructions on how to access the tender documents and submit an Offer) will be automatically emailed to the ‘contact persons’ included in your UNGM registration. Alternatively, the full UNICEF e-submission system instructions to bidders document is publicly available on the UNICEF supply internet pages here: https://www.unicef.org/supply/index_procurement_policies.html .   In the tender management site, if you navigate to the documents tab and opt in to confirm your intention to submit a Bid – you will then see the mandatory placeholders for documents that must be attached prior to submitting your Offer (you will also see if there are any mandatory questionnaires to complete). As such, you are recommended to `opt in` well before the submission deadline so you are clear exactly what documents are required to be uploaded prior to completing your submission.   Please note that in order to access the full-set of tender documents through UNICEF’s e-submissions system, vendors must: (1) be registered with UNICEF in UNGM as a company/NGO; (2) have successfully completed all mandatory information currently required by UNGM when registering.   Please ensure that any files submitted as part of your bid are not corrupt or damaged in any way. Please exercise caution when using compressed files. Any corrupt or damaged files may lead to your Bid being invalidated.   All vendors are strongly recommended to regularly log-in to the UNICEF e-submissions system to check for any deadline extensions, new clarifications, new correspondence or updated tender documents relating to this tender.   Should you have any questions against this solicitation, please submit your queries to Tongchanok Sonsawangphol at [email protected] with CC to: [email protected] - no later than 16 September 2025 so that all queries could be clarified and circulated to all bidders before the deadline.   The closing date of e-submission on UNGM is 23 September 2025 at 10.00 AM Bangkok time.   We look forward to receiving your proposals within the given timeline.   Best regards,   UNICEF Supply team