Staff

Executive Director/Editor-in-Chief

THY Try is an Executive Director/Editor-in-Chief of Open Development Cambodia (ODC). In 2011, he joined ODC as an advisory board member, and later on, he became a chairman of the board. As an Executive Director/Editor-in-Chief, Try plays an important role in increasing public access to current and historical data and information about Cambodia’s development trends in an online ‘open data’ platform, compiling freely-available data from a wide range of public sources. Prior to joining ODC, Try worked for the National Network on Extractive Industry Social and Environmental Impact (EISEI) as a coordinator of Development and Partnership in Action (DPA) for four years. He also spent two years with ADHOC as a human rights investigator and another two years with Indochina Research Limited (IRL) in social and commercial research. He also holds multiple degrees and training-related certificates.

Managing Editor

VENG Seang Hai has joined Open Development Cambodia (ODC) since 2023 in the role of Managing Editor, providing both operational and technical assistance to the Executive Editor/Editor-in-Chief and to the ODC team as a whole. He works closely together with ODC’s Editors team to ensure reliable sets of data and content which contribute to inclusive and sustainable development in Cambodia. Before landing on ODC, Seang Hai undertook consultancy research studies for various institutions including Gothenburg Research Institute, Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Chiang Mai University, Rapid Asia Co., Ltd, and others. Seang Hai holds MA in Development Studies from Chiang Mai University, and BA in Education from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. From the background as a development anthropologist focusing on the Mekong Region, Seang Hai shares several areas of interest in the field of development including transnational migration and inequality, a human rights-based approach to sustainable development, disabilities and child rights, and others.

IT and Website Advisor

Huy Eng graduated with a double major in Computer Science from Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), and International Study from Institute of Foreign Language (IFL). She has been working for ODC since it was firstly established in 2011. With several years of experience in web development, she takes the leading role in developing an online information resource for Cambodia’s development community. She guides oversee and manages works of the IT team to ensure accuracy and technical competence. In addition, she advises and provides technical support to other team members in addressing any IT-related problems.

Information Technology and Website Manager

Mardy’s main responsibilities are managing and overseeing ODC platform and network infrastructure. He is in charge of involving in and monitoring the development and maintenance of ODC platform under collaboration from other ODC team. Moreover, he is responsible for providing technical guidance and support as well as identifying, preventing, and mitigating IT-related issues of the network infrastructure and project implementation.

Mardy is a graduate from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) majoring in Computer Science and holds a Bachelor of Education in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL).

IT and Website Manager

Sakal is responsible for the role of developing and maintaining the ODC digital platforms and other associated platforms.

Sakal holds a Software Development Diploma from ITStep Academy. Before Joining Open Development Cambodia (ODC), he was a Software Engineer with 3+ years of hands-on development, design, and coding in a VTech Co., LTD providing technical solutions for international clients.

Web Development and IT Officer

Vichra is mainly responsible for ensuring the well-functionality of IT network systems and infrastructure, including hardware and software. Moreover, his primary responsibility is on digital security control, system upgrade, and other IT-related support. Additionally, he supports website development and maintenance.

Vichra held a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Cambodia in 2018. Before joining ODC, Vichra had more than five years of experience with private and non-private sectors in IT support.

Research and Web Content Manager

Vatana has been working with ODC as an Editor-Researcher and Research and Content Officer since 2016. Vatana has been acknowledged for her leadership in organizing and overseeing the content and web development teams in the expansion of online resources. She was enthusiastically promoted to Research and Web Content Manager in late 2020. In her present position, she is given multiple duties to guarantee that the work plan and project goals are met. She controls the daily operations of the content teams and website, as well as the project activity plan, and takes the lead in site design and development. Vatana also collaborates with the ODC team to monitor web traffic and uphold editorial standards, ensuring timeliness content, completeness, and user-friendliness.

Before joining the ODC, she was a Research Assistant for the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) framework project (LWR-ID/2009/046) and various university research schemes. Vatana graduated from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) in 2014 with a degree in Water Resources Engineering and Rural Infrastructure.

Social Development Editor – Researcher

Chanphalla is a Social Development Editor – Researcher of Open Development Cambodia. His main responsibilities are daily news summary, conducting research, producing social development related contents, translating, editing and other reporting tasks.

Chanphalla is an International Relations (IR) graduate of Institute of Foreign Language(IFL), the Royal University of Phnom Penh in 2017. Before joining ODC, Chanphalla worked as Future Forum’s young research fellow on which he has conducted various projects. His latest research project concentrated on STEM education in Cambodia.

Natural Resource and Land Editor – Researcher / Project Coordinator

Chhuonvuoch is a Natural Resource and Land Editor – Researcher / Project Coordinator of Open Development Cambodia. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science from the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) ​and Bachelor of Arts in Teaching English to Speaker of Other Languages from Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia (PUC), as well as Master’s degree in Disaster Management (International Program) from Naresuan University (NU), Thailand, 2021. She previously worked as an Associate Team Leader in an EIA company and published conference and scientific journals on various academic research platforms.

Her primary responsibilities include collaborating on website design and content development, conducting research, compiling legal documents, policy papers, reports, and other natural resource development-related publications, conducting outreach and promotional activities, and advising and guiding research fellows. She also oversees the project, writes related reports, and works with donors, partners, and stakeholders to support the project corporation and project management.

Economics  Editor – Researcher

Songmouy is an Economics Editor-Researcher at Open Development Cambodia. She holds a Bachelor of International Affairs and Economics from Lafayette College in 2022. Before joining ODC, Songmouy worked as a senior research analyst at a market research company.

Her main responsibilities include publishing daily news summaries, conducting research, producing economics-related content, and other editing support tasks. She also coordinates and supports different projects within ODC.

Program and Partnership Manager

Vimoil is a Program and Partnership Manager at Open Development Cambodia (ODC). She provides strategic oversight and management for the Innovations in Social Accountability in Cambodia (ISAC) project and the research contributions to ODC content, while also coordinating all aspects of the Innovations in Social Accountability in Cambodia (ISAC) project. She is also responsible for developing training programs and training target groups on how to use ODC’s website.

She holds two bachelor’s degrees in economic development and English for translation and interpreting, and Master’s degree in environment, development and sustainability from Chulalongkorn University. Before being a part of ODC, she was a programme assistant at Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) and an assistant to managing director at a private company.

ICT in Education Project Officer

Pheaktra works as an ICT in Education Project Officer at Open Development Cambodia. He is in charge of coordinating the implementation of all project activities, monitoring and evaluating project results, conducting training for target groups, producing progress reports, publishing promotional material and project success stories on social media, compiling related news, articles, and laws, collaborating with stakeholders from the government to the non-government and private sectors, and other secondary tasks.

Holding two bachelor’s degrees in English Communication and Tourism Management, he has experience in conducting market and social research projects, including but not limited to formal and non-formal education, youth development, community-based tourism, and SMEs, and in coordinating a national youth volunteer program. He is strongly passionate about research and projects concerning social inclusion, sustainable development, ICT and mental health, data analysis, and translation work.

Extractive Industry Revenue Project Officer

Vatey is an Extractive Industry Revenue Project Officer at Open Development Cambodia. She is mainly responsible for researching the various types of revenues and taxes generated by extractives, identifying potential sources of information on extractives, including primary and secondary sources, and producing progress reports.

As of 2022, she holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and Engineering from Hohai University, China. In 2019, she graduated with an Engineering Degree in Water and Environmental Engineering in Water Resources Engineering and Rural Infrastructure from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia. Prior to joining ODC, she worked for private companies and projects as a field team leader, project assistant, or consultant.

Communications Manager

Maneth manages social media platforms, designing, and programs of Open Development Cambodia (ODC). He is also in charge of other internal and external communications.

Maneth graduated from the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy, RUPP, with International Relations major and completed his exchange study at Carroll College, USA. He later became an International Relations lecturer at the Institute for over 3 years. Then, he worked as a Digital Marketer at private companies and is now working as a Communications Manager at ODC.

Communications Officer

Kheang is in charge of producing ODC’s communication materials as well as assisting with various ODC activities such as trainings, workshops, and meetings with key stakeholders and partners. He also publishes blog posts about ODC’s activities.

Haingkheang earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations (IR) from the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL), Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) in 2021 and a Bachelor of Arts in Media Management from the Royal University of Phnom Penh’s Department of Media and Communication (DMC) in 2022. Before joining ODC, Kheang worked as a news reporter intern for VOD Khmer and Coconut Media in Bangkok, where his articles primarily focused on social issues and lifestyle.

Data Research and GIS Specialist

Kalyan is a data research and GIS specialist at Open Development Cambodia (ODC). He used to work for ODC since it was firstly established in 2011 until 2015. Later he led GIS technical project of GPS navigation in a private sector. He joined back to ODC in 2019.

He is responsible for leading the team in all data-related research activities, focusing on gathering, organizing, and display data about a particular location in a digital format. He also uses GIS technology to compile, maintain, and update information from a variety of sources for the public’s use and ensure that data across all topic areas are complete, accurate, and up-to-date. He graduated in Land Management and Land Administration in 2011 and holds a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources Management from the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) in 2020.

Senior Data Research & GIS Officer /Capacity Building Coordinator 

Pisith works as a Senior Data Research & GIS Officer /Capacity Building Coordinator at Open Development Cambodia (ODC). He satisfactorily completed Engineering’s Degree of Geo-Resources and Geotechnical Engineering (GGE) from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) in 2019. During the year of his graduation in 2019, Pisith was granted a scholarship for a one-semester exchange program at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand where his thesis was completed for successful graduation in ITC.

At ODC, his work focuses on researching spatial data, on various sectors relevant to development in Cambodia from all reliable sources which provide open data, for handling assembling enhancing and visualizing by using GIS to generate a usable data product for publication in organization web pages. Besides the key role of producing dataset, particularly spatial dataset, he also takes part in conducting training and developing the curriculum of training related to data and GIS for the relevant projects.

Data Research and GIS Officer

Oudom is a Data Research and GIS Officer. His primary responsibilities include reviewing public domain documents for data collection and archiving. He is also responsible for updating and creating maps and information graphics based on publicly available data.

Oudom holds an engineer’s degree in Water Resource Engineering and Rural Infrastructure as well as a master’s degree in Transportation and Infrastructure Engineering at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC). Before joining ODC, He worked for a well-known private petroleum company as a Transport Intern.

Investment Data Research Officer

Visith is a Data Researcher at Open Development Cambodia (ODC). At ODC, he is responsible for the desk research and data collection on foreign investment from multi-languages sources and translates it. Under the direct supervision of Data Research and GIS Specialist and Research and Web Content Manager, he works closely with several ODC teams in developing online resources on foreign investment and its impact on the development of Cambodia. He is also responsible for providing the Executive Director with written and oral reports, translating and interpreting services to any other team members if needed.

He graduated bachelor degree with a major in English from the Institute of Foreign Language (IFL) and a master degree with a major in Chinese English Translation from Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). Before becoming a member of ODC, he had been engaged in many interpreting and translating careers.

Finance and Admin Manager

Mr PHY Sakhoeun graduated Master’s degree of Management from Human Resources University in 2012, Bachelor’s degree of English Literature from Build Bridge University (BBU) in 2009, and Bachelor’s degree of Accounting from the National University of Management in 2003. Relevant to working experience, Mr Sakhoeun has thirteen years experiences on Financing, Administration and Human resources with both local and international organizations in Cambodia.

Since the early of 2018, Mr Sakhoeun is a Finance and Admin Manager at Open Development Cambodia (ODC), and works closely with ODC Executive Director under the main responsibilities such as: verifying all the payment documents and accounting transaction before posting to the accounting system, making a financial report for Executive Director and donors timely, preparing the budget proposal to donors, preparing all projects budget monitoring reports and submitting monthly to Executive Director. Besides this, he also facilitates in the process of auditing, monitoring the effectiveness of in-hand budget using, providing technical support to Finance and Admin Officer, coordinating on staff recruitment and orientation, reviewing staff payroll and other related benefits, taxation documents, national social security fund, organization policy and procedure and revising if there are gaps, also doing other tasks which mentioned in the job description.

Senior Finance and Admin Officer

At ODC, Somary works closely with the Finance and Admin Manager to ensure timely and correctly coding QuickBooks Data entry, preparing donor reports, managing petty cash, timely payments to suppliers, payroll, NSSF and taxes, and budget tracking. Additionally, Somary is also responsible for all relevant bank transactions, administrative and human resource works.

Somary graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the National University of Management (NUM) in 2011. Before joining ODC, Somary has around ten years of experience in finance and admin work with local and international NGOs. 

Administrative Assistant

Tevin’s main responsibility is to assist the Finance & Admin units in providing admin/logistic support for the events, preparing Travel Authorization (TA) forms and clearance, maintaining the fixed asset and inventory lists, procurement works, handling cash advance, and scanning and copying financial documents.

Tevin held a bachelor’s degree in Economic Development from the University of Law and Economics in 2020. Before joining ODC, Tevin had more than 3 years of experience with private company sectors in Admin & Procurement.

Housekeeper

Kimhuoy is mainly responsible for maintaining the ODC office, a good environment, cleanliness, and a well-organized office. She also assists in drinks and snacks preparation for guests and staff as needed during meetings, training, and workshops and takes care of all the kitchen supplies. Before joining ODC, Kimhuoy used to work at Bayon Airlines for seven years as an airline catering.