Summary
The Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) initiative is funded by both the Governments of Australia and New Zealand. It assists ASEAN Member States (AMS) in meeting their commitments and realising the advantages offered by the Agreement establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area, or AANZFTA, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP.
Through the AANZFTA Implementation Support Program (AISP) and the RCEP Implementation Support Program (RISP), RT4D provides tailored support to enhance the capabilities of ASEAN Member States by strengthening skills, building networks, facilitating policy options and ensuring that trade benefits everyone, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), women and people with disabilities.
The Governments of Australia and New Zealand have committed up to AUD 53.5 million to fund RT4D from 2020-21 to 2027-28.
Project Summary
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA) Implementation Support Program (AISP), implemented through the Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) Facility, aims to support ASEAN Member States to realise the full benefits of AANFTA through the provision of capacity-building support and access to technical expertise.
The following project is approved under AISP.
- Project Name: Building capacity for AANZFTA Parties on the Implementation of the Second Protocol of AANZFTA specific to STRACAP
- Project Objectives: This project aims to build capacity for AANZFTA Parties on the implementation of the Second Protocol for AANZFTA specific to STRACAP by conducting a comprehensive review and analysis of the Protocol’s impact on ASEAN, SC-STRACAP, and relevant business implications; identifying and assessing potential SC-STRACAP activities in response to the Protocol in alignment with the ACCSQ Sectoral Plan 2026–2030 and the Built-In Agenda; and developing a consolidated roadmap of recommended actions for SC-STRACAP’s consideration.
Description
The Opportunity
RT4D is seeking a consulting firm/consortium or individual consultant to manage and deliver the end-to-end Project Design for a project approved under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA) Implementation Support Program (AISP).
The Project Design will follow a standard RT4D template and be subject to comments, amendments, and approval from the RT4D Facility Team, the Project Proponent, the ASEAN Secretariat and the relevant AANZFTA Subsidiary Body.
Interested consulting firms or individuals should put forth technical support personnel that can support the RT4D Team in the completion of the project. To ensure the above can be effectively managed and completed in alignment with this TOR, it is recommended that organisations/consultants have:
- Proven experience in designing and developing international development or trade-related project designs, including preparation of project design documents, work plans, logical frameworks, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) frameworks, and implementation roadmaps.
- Strong technical knowledge of STRACAP (Standards, Technical Regulations, Accreditation and Conformity Assessment) frameworks, with specific emphasis on STARCAP-related work under ASEAN mechanisms, including policy development, capacity building, and regional implementation processes.
- Demonstrated experience working with ASEAN Member States (AMS), the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), and ACCSQ/STRACAP-related mechanisms, with a strong understanding of ASEAN governance structures and regional coordination processes.
- Experience engaging with Australia and/or New Zealand Government-funded development programs or other donor-funded initiatives, including familiarity with results-based management, compliance, and reporting frameworks is an advantage.
- Proven analytical and research skills, including the ability to review and interpret policy, regulatory, and technical documents and translate findings into practical, implementable project design recommendations.
- Demonstrated experience conducting stakeholder consultations and facilitating engagement with government agencies, regional organisations, private sector stakeholders, and development partners to inform project design and ensure inclusivity of perspectives.
- Excellent written communication and project design drafting skills, with experience producing high-quality reports, concept notes, and project design documents for review and approval by multiple stakeholders.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Timeline:
Invitation Issue Date: Friday, 26 June 2026
Last Queries Date: Friday, 10 July 2026
Closing Date and Time: 11:59 PM (AEST) Monday, 20 July 2026
Please check RT4D’s website for complete ToR.
RFP - Project Designs - AANZFTA Second Protocol Implementation for STRACAP
