Deadline: July 09, 2026
The assignment focuses on testing competing hypotheses about Thailand’s productivity slowdown beyond firm-size narratives, identifying high-leverage reforms to unlock firm dynamism, competition, innovation, and diffusion, translating analytical and consultation findings into implementable and sequenced priority strategic interventions, connecting the analysis to Thailand’s OECD accession agenda on competitiveness, fairness, and governance, and producing concise, decision-oriented knowledge products for UNDP, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), and relevant stakeholders.
Thailand has established a strong economic foundation as an upper-middle-income country, but it is now facing structural challenges as traditional drivers of growth have weakened and demographic ageing places greater emphasis on productivity, innovation, and efficiency. The Government has identified competitiveness, digital transformation, regulatory reform, SME development, innovation, and investment in future industries as key priorities while pursuing OECD accession and fostering a more transparent and business-friendly economic system.
This assignment builds on UNDP’s broader work on MSMEs, productivity, and structural transformation and complements existing initiatives led by NESDC, Thailand Policy Lab (TP Lab), the Tiger Landscape Investment Facility, and the Regional Building Opportunities for Leadership in Development (BOLD) programme. The study will move beyond firm-size issues to examine the wider structural, governance, policy, market, and institutional factors influencing productivity, innovation, competition, and economic transformation.
Working under the guidance of Thailand Policy Lab (TP Lab) and in close coordination with NESDC and UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, the selected contractor will carry out the assignment over a five-month period from August to December 2026. The work will include developing an inception plan, conducting evidence-based productivity diagnostics, analysing structural constraints, leading stakeholder consultations and advisory sessions, developing priority strategic interventions and delivery pathways, preparing policy briefs and recommendations, and producing reports and knowledge products in both Thai and English.
Eligible firms or institutions should demonstrate at least ten years of experience in productivity, economic policy, private sector or MSME development, industrial transformation, governance reform, or similar analytical assignments. Applicants should also have a minimum of five years of experience in research, stakeholder consultation, facilitation, and the preparation of high-quality analytical and policy outputs. Experience working with government agencies, development partners, academic institutions, think tanks, or private sector organisations in Thailand or the region will be considered an advantage. The proposed team should include at least one Project Manager and two Project Assistants with the expertise required to successfully deliver the assignment.
For more information, visit UNDP.
