CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

PROGRAMME CONTEXT

The Financial Framework Partnership Agreement 2 (FFPA 2), titled “People-centred Businesses for Sustainable, Democratic, and Inclusive Development”, between the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the European Union (EU), implemented through ICA’s regional offices in Asia & Pacific, Africa, Europe, and America ,encompasses in its implementation programme various research activities, including Activity 2.4 Thematic Research.

This mapping study requires the support of Country Researchers, with one expert engaged per country. The present call is for nine Country Researchers, one for each of the nine countries covered under the study.

BACKGROUND

Cooperatives play a vital role in fostering sustainable development, economic resilience, and inclusive growth in many countries in the Asia-Pacific region. These member-owned, member-operated organisations operate in various sectors, including health, social care, agriculture, finance, and housing. To harness their full potential, partnerships between government entities and cooperatives have become increasingly important.

The Asia-Pacific region is simultaneously facing a significant demographic transition. Life expectancy has risen considerably over recent decades, and by 2050, nearly one in five people in the region will be aged 65 or above. At the same time, there is a serious shortage of care workers and affordable, accessible care services for older people. Traditional family-based care arrangements are also weakening as urbanisation, migration, and changing family structures reshape communities across the region.

Within this context, cooperatives have emerged as important actors in the provision of elderly care services in several countries. Worker cooperatives delivering home-based care, health cooperatives supporting community health services, and multi-purpose cooperatives offering integrated welfare services all illustrate how cooperative models can strengthen care systems while generating livelihoods, particularly for women care workers.

This study aims to assess and document the existing contribution of cooperatives to elderly care across nine selected countries in Asia and the Pacific, identify models of good practice, and generate evidence to support regional policy dialogue and cooperative development under the ICA-AP and EU Partnership Programme.

STUDY OVERVIEW

Study Title

Regional Mapping Study on Cooperatives’ Contribution to Elderly Care in Asia and the Pacific

Programme Reference

Programme: FFPA 2 “People-centred Businesses for Sustainable, Democratic, and Inclusive Development”

Contract:

Activity: Activity 2.4 Thematic Research

Implementing Organisation: International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP)

Study Objectives

The study will pursue the following primary objectives:

• To map the current involvement of cooperatives in the provision of elderly care services across selected countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
• To examine policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks influencing cooperative engagement in elderly care.
• To document cooperative models and practices contributing to improving accessibility, affordability, and quality of elderly care services.
• To analyse employment and livelihood opportunities generated through cooperative care models.
• To generate evidence-based insights and recommendations to strengthen the role of cooperatives in elderly care systems.

Scope of Work

The study will encompass the following areas of inquiry for each country:

• Review of the existing elderly care landscape, including available services, workforce, and policy frameworks.
• Assessment of cooperative involvement in elderly care, covering types of services, cooperative models, and governance structures.
• Analysis of the impact of cooperative care models on accessibility, affordability, and quality of services.
• Examination of the policy and regulatory environment shaping cooperative engagement in elderly care.
• Documentation of workforce development, employment generation, and skills development within cooperative care services.
• Preparation of one case study of a cooperative care model in each assigned country.

The study will result in a set of country profiles and a regional synthesis report. Findings will be presented at a regional Launch & Dissemination Event in early 2027.

Methodology

The study employs a mixed-methods approach, consistent with the methodology established under the ICA-AP and EU Partnership Programme’s thematic research activities. This includes:

• Desk review of national cooperative policies, legislation, government reports, and relevant literature.
• Qualitative research through structured stakeholder interviews with government officials, cooperative leaders, and representatives of cooperative apex bodies involved in elderly care services?.
• Documentary case study analysis of selected cooperative care models.

Country Coverage

The study covers the following nine countries:

India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Australia, and Jordan.

Duration

The study shall be completed within a period of three months, from 15 July 2026 to 15 October 2026. This period covers data collection, stakeholder interviews, case study documentation, country profile drafting, and finalisation of outputs incorporating feedback from ICA-AP. The nine country profiles and case studies will be consolidated by ICA-AP into a regional synthesis report and disseminated at a regional event in early 2027.

ROLE OF THE COUNTRY RESEARCHER

ICA-AP will directly engage nine Country Researchers, one per country, to facilitate this study. As a Country Researcher, you will gather, collate, and provide the necessary data, support literature reviews, and prepare one case study on cooperative care models in your country. All contributions will be appropriately acknowledged in the study report and during dissemination events.

ICA-AP agrees to pay a consolidated amount as per the final contract as consultancy fee. ICA-AP will consolidate the nine country profiles and case studies into a regional synthesis report.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Researcher will perform the following tasks:

• Conduct desk research on the elderly care landscape, cooperative sector, and relevant policies and regulations in the assigned country, using the structured data gathering framework provided by ICA-AP.
• Undertake stakeholder interviews (minimum five) with government officials, cooperative leaders, and representatives of cooperative apex bodies, following the interview guide provided.
• Document one case study of a cooperative care model in the assigned country, following the case study guidelines provided. The case study should not exceed 1,500 words.
• Complete a structured country profile using the standardised ICA-AP mapping tool, covering the elderly care ecosystem, cooperative involvement, types of services, cooperative impact, policy environment, and workforce development.
• Submit a draft country report and case study to ICA-AP by 15 September 2026, and a finalised version incorporating feedback by 15 October 2026.
• Participate in a virtual onboarding and briefing session with ICA-AP and the Lead Researcher prior to commencing data collection.
• Share brief, regular progress updates with ICA-AP during the data collection period, as agreed in the contract.
• Submit all required documents for payment, including the final report and an invoice.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree (Masters level or equivalent) in social sciences, development studies, economics, public policy, cooperative studies, or a related field.
• At least three years of relevant experience in research, policy analysis, or fieldwork related to the cooperative sector, the care sector, or social development.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct qualitative research, including desk research and stakeholder interviews.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Ability to conduct interviews in the local language of the assigned country, where required.

Key Competencies

• Clear and structured written communication.
• Collaborative working and responsiveness to feedback.
• Integrity and rigour in the handling and presentation of data and findings.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of the cooperative sector in the assigned country, including familiarity with cooperative federations, networks, and relevant national policies.
• Familiarity with the elderly care or social care sector in the assigned country.
• Proven experience in producing structured research outputs such as country reports, policy briefs, or mapping studies.

Additional Strengths

• Prior experience conducting mapping studies, country assessments, or commissioned research for international organisations will be considered an advantage.
• Knowledge of cooperative economics, social enterprise models, or the care economy will be considered an advantage.
• Experience with cooperative organisations, government departments, or care sector actors in the assigned country will be considered an advantage.

CONTRACTUAL AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Selected researchers will be engaged under a Memorandum of Understanding directly with ICA-AP. The consultancy fee will be communicated to shortlisted candidates and will be inclusive of all related costs as per standard organisational norms and policies for tax deductions. Travel, accommodation, and daily subsistence allowance, if any, for presenting findings at regional events are not included and will be addressed separately if applicable.

The contract period is 15 July 2026 to 15 October 2026. Payment will be made in two tranches upon completion of agreed milestones, subject to ICA-AP’s acceptance of deliverables. Details of the remuneration scheme and payment documentation requirements will be shared with selected candidates at the time of contracting.

The researcher undertakes to observe all applicable rules and comply with fiscal obligations, including submitting an invoice or payment request to ICA-AP in conformity with applicable legislation, and declaring all fees received from ICA-AP for tax purposes as required in their country of fiscal residence.

The contract may be terminated by either party by giving 10 days written notice. In the case of default, both parties shall first attempt to resolve the issue in good faith before notice of termination takes effect.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

To apply, send an EOI at research@icaap.coop to ICA-AP by 25 June 2026 with the following:

• A curriculum vitae (maximum three pages) highlighting relevant research experience and knowledge of the cooperative or care sector in your country.
• A short expression of interest (maximum one page) explaining your motivation, relevant expertise, and proposed approach to the assignment.
• The country you are applying for. Only one application per country will be accepted.
• Contact details for two professional referees.

Use the following subject line: Application: Country Researcher, [Country], ICA-AP Elderly Care Mapping Study 2026

Incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality.