Deadline: 17-Jul-2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is inviting applications from qualified service providers to support the design, coordination, and delivery of the C3 Country Lab and Fellowship Programme in Thailand. The assignment focuses on strengthening innovation, collaboration, systems thinking, and partnership approaches through learning labs, fellowships, workshops, and knowledge-sharing activities.
The consultancy is expected to run for approximately 20 months, from August 2026 to April 2028, working with UNDP Thailand, global C3 Labs teams, technical partners, and international development stakeholders.
UNDP C3 Country Lab and Fellowship Programme Overview
The UNDP C3 Country Lab and Fellowship Programme supports innovative approaches to solving complex development challenges through collaborative learning and partnership-building.
UNDP seeks a Service Provider to assist with:
- Programme design
- Learning lab preparation
- Fellowship coordination
- Workshop facilitation
- Partnership development
- Knowledge management
- Monitoring and reporting
The selected service provider will support the implementation of the C3 Labs methodology in Thailand while adapting it to the local context.
Purpose of the Assignment
The main objective of this consultancy is to support the successful design and delivery of the C3 Country Lab and Fellowship Programme in Thailand.
The assignment aims to:
- Strengthen innovation ecosystems
- Encourage collaborative problem-solving
- Build partnerships among development actors
- Facilitate learning exchanges
- Support systems thinking approaches
- Generate knowledge and evidence for future programmes
Programme Duration
The expected implementation period is:
- Approximately 20 months
- August 2026 to April 2028
The consultancy will cover preparation, implementation, learning activities, reporting, and final handover.
Scope of Work
The Service Provider will support activities across three major phases.
Phase 1: Country Lab Preparation and Fellow Recruitment
The first phase focuses on establishing the foundation for the Thailand Country Lab.
Key activities include:
- Developing an inception report
- Preparing a detailed implementation workplan
- Creating stakeholder mapping
- Developing engagement strategies
- Designing a Thailand-specific methodology
- Creating diagnostic approaches aligned with global C3 Labs methods
- Supporting outreach and recruitment of Fellows
The service provider will ensure that the programme reflects Thailand’s development context while maintaining consistency with UNDP’s global approach.
Phase 2: Lab Delivery, Learning, and Operating Model Support
The second phase focuses on implementing learning activities and supporting participants.
Activities include:
Learning Labs and Workshops
Support will include:
- Designing and facilitating residential learning retreats
- Organising non-residential workshops
- Supporting virtual and hybrid learning engagements
- Coordinating participant interactions
Planned activities include:
- Two residential learning retreats
- Two non-residential workshops
- Additional virtual or hybrid engagements
Fellowship Support
The service provider will support:
- Fellow onboarding
- Community management
- Learning coordination
- Participant engagement
- Knowledge exchange
Monitoring and Learning
Activities include:
- Preparing synthesis notes after major events
- Providing quarterly progress updates
- Documenting lessons learned
- Supporting continuous improvement
Phase 3: Synthesis, Dissemination, and Handover
The final phase focuses on capturing results and ensuring sustainability.
Key activities include:
- Final reporting
- Evidence generation
- Communication materials
- Knowledge dissemination
- Programme documentation
- Contract closure and handover
The service provider will support UNDP in transferring knowledge and maintaining programme continuity.
Who Can Participate?
The programme may involve a diverse group of participants and partners, including:
- Fellows
- Facilitators
- Learning partners
- UNDP teams
- Development organisations
- Research institutions
- Innovation practitioners
Potential participants and partners may include representatives from:
- Kenya and Thailand Labs
- Future Country Labs
- Global C3 Labs initiatives
- International development networks
Potential Stakeholders and Partners
The programme may engage organisations and institutions such as:
- United Nations agencies
- Development organisations
- Research institutions
- Universities
- Donor organisations
- Foundations
- Policy innovators
- Systems thinkers
- Change leaders
Potential partners may include:
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- Wageningen University & Research
- Global Environment Facility (GEF) agencies
- Regional development organisations
Key Areas of Support Required
The selected Service Provider will provide support in:
- Co-designing innovation labs
- Developing learning frameworks
- Recruiting and managing Fellows
- Facilitating workshops and retreats
- Building partnerships
- Supporting communications
- Monitoring programme progress
- Producing knowledge products
Why This Programme Matters
The C3 Country Lab initiative supports new approaches to addressing complex social and environmental challenges.
The programme helps strengthen:
- Innovation capacity
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Leadership development
- Systems thinking
- Knowledge sharing
- Global learning networks
By connecting governments, researchers, practitioners, and development partners, the initiative promotes collaborative solutions for sustainable development.
How the Consultancy Will Work
The selected Service Provider will work closely with:
- UNDP Thailand Country Office
- UNDP Global C3 Labs Team
- Technical partners
- Programme participants
The provider will support the full programme cycle, including:
- Programme planning
- Stakeholder engagement
- Learning design
- Activity delivery
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Knowledge sharing
- Final reporting
Expected Deliverables
Expected outputs may include:
- Inception report
- Detailed workplan
- Stakeholder engagement plan
- Adapted Thailand C3 methodology
- Recruitment support materials
- Workshop and retreat facilitation
- Learning reports
- Progress updates
- Communication materials
- Final programme report
Selection Considerations
Applications are expected to demonstrate:
- Experience in innovation programmes
- Knowledge of collaborative learning approaches
- Capacity to facilitate workshops and labs
- Partnership development experience
- Monitoring and reporting skills
- Ability to work with international development stakeholders
Common Mistakes and Tips for Applicants
Mistake 1: Limited Experience in Facilitation
The assignment requires strong learning and workshop management skills.
Tip: Highlight previous experience designing and facilitating collaborative programmes.
Mistake 2: Weak Understanding of Systems Thinking
The C3 Labs methodology focuses on complex problem-solving.
Tip: Demonstrate experience with innovation, systems approaches, or transformation initiatives.
Mistake 3: Lack of Partnership Experience
The programme requires engagement with multiple stakeholders.
Tip: Include examples of successful multi-sector collaborations.
Mistake 4: Incomplete Technical Proposal
Applications should clearly explain the delivery approach.
Tip: Provide a detailed methodology, timeline, and implementation strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the UNDP C3 Country Lab and Fellowship Programme?
It is a collaborative learning initiative that strengthens innovation and partnership approaches through labs, fellowships, and knowledge-sharing activities.
2. What is the purpose of this consultancy?
The consultancy supports the design, coordination, facilitation, and delivery of the C3 Country Lab and Fellowship Programme in Thailand.
3. How long will the programme run?
The assignment is expected to run for approximately 20 months, from August 2026 to April 2028.
4. Who will participate in the programme?
Participants may include Fellows, facilitators, learning partners, UNDP teams, researchers, development organisations, and innovation practitioners.
5. What activities will the Service Provider support?
The provider will support lab preparation, Fellow recruitment, workshops, retreats, virtual engagements, monitoring, reporting, and knowledge dissemination.
6. Which organisations may be involved as partners?
Potential partners include UN agencies, universities, research institutions, donors, foundations, and global development organisations.
7. What skills are important for applicants?
Applicants should have experience in innovation, facilitation, partnership building, learning design, and programme management.
Conclusion
The UNDP C3 Country Lab and Fellowship Programme Thailand provides an opportunity to strengthen innovation, collaboration, and systems thinking through structured learning and partnership activities.
The selected Service Provider will play a key role in designing and delivering a 20-month programme that connects Fellows, development actors, researchers, and global partners.
Qualified applicants should demonstrate strong expertise in collaborative learning, innovation processes, stakeholder engagement, and international development programme delivery.
For more information, visit UNDP.
