Request for Proposal – AANZFTA Implementation Support Program (AISP) - Promoting AANZFTA through Communications and Business Engagement

About RT4D

The Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) Facility supports ASEAN Member States to maximise benefits from the upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. 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.

Also operating under RT4D is the Trade and Gender Equality Incubator (TGEI), an initiative funded by the Australian Government. The incubator tests ideas and methods, drawing on promising examples, that integrate gender in trade policy, technical cooperation, and development programming. The Governments of Australia and New Zealand have committed up to AUD 48.7 million to fund RT4D from 2020-21 to 2027-28

Project Summary

This project will support a series of connected communications activities to promote AANZFTA throughout the Financial Year 2024-25 (until June 2025) under the AANZFTA Implementation Support Program (AISP) to strengthen public and private sector stakeholders' awareness of its economic benefits.

Objectives:

(i) Increase understanding of AANZFTA, the AANZFTA Upgrade, and AISP activities.

(ii) Build on 2023 AISP-ECWP communications and business engagement initiatives, including:

• A Communications Package on AANZFTA Upgrade benefits.
• Regional and national business roundtables.

(iii) Develop business engagement resources to strengthen partnerships with diverse and potentially marginalised communities.

Key Outputs:

1. Explainers for ASEAN businesses
2. Business Roundtable Factsheets
3. Four Case Studies on AISP success
4. AEM-CER Communications Package and Video

Request for Proposal – Regional Trade for Development

Implementation Consultant and Event Organiser for Building Institutional Capacity for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) Implementation under RCEP

About RT4D

The Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) Facility supports ASEAN Member States to maximise benefits from the upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. 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.

Also operating under RT4D is the Trade and Gender Equality Incubator (TGEI), an initiative funded by the Australian Government. The incubator tests ideas and methods, drawing on promising examples, that integrate gender in trade policy, technical cooperation, and development programming. The Governments of Australia and New Zealand have committed up to AUD 48.7 million to fund RT4D from 2020-21 to 2027-28.

Project Summary

This project was created to implement activities that align with RCEP Chapter 5 on SPS. The objective is to enhance the practical application of SPS measures by promoting transparency and understanding of the development processes and applications among relevant stakeholders. The project seeks to strengthen coordination, communication, and consultation among the domestic parties involved in SPS measures, adhering to international standards, guidelines, and recommendations. With support from RCEP and the RT4D program, the fundamental goal of this project is to build the institutional capabilities of key stakeholders at the central and provincial levels under the leadership of FDD. This will set up a foundation to establish a modern, comprehensive, high-quality, and mutually beneficial economic partnership, facilitating regional trade and investment expansion and contributing to global economic growth.

Improving inter-departmental coordination is another crucial component of the project; it will establish a collaborative, dynamic platform for stakeholders such as the FDD, Department of Agriculture (DOA), Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DOLF), and Department of Planning (DOP) to monitor and evaluate the implementation of SPS chapters. This initiative aims to promote transparency, ensuring senior decision-makers and policy formulators have a unified understanding of the SPS chapter and the ASEAN Sectoral Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Inspection and Certification Systems on Food Hygiene for Prepared Foodstuff Products (MRA) guidelines, alongside developing implementation regulations that clarify procedural and operational parameters. This framework seeks to mitigate arbitrary decision-making while reinforcing compliance with national legal standards through stringent oversight and formalised inspection processes.

The specific objectives of this project are to:

• To provide capacity building on implementing the SPS measures and provisions, focusing on Chapter 5 of RCEP commitments
• To strengthen economic cooperation and dialogue that supports the implementation and utilisation of key provisions within the SPS agreement 
• To increase public and stakeholders’ awareness of the benefits and impact of the RCEP and SPS Chapter to enhance access to information for businesses, especially Micro-Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs), on the SPS requirements as well as MRA on import-export 
• To strengthen cooperation and exchange experience with RCEP Parties in the SPS Chapter, particularly on the collective participation approach at the ASEAN SPS committee meeting.

Request for Proposal – Regional Trade for Development

Implementation Consultant and Event Organiser for Strengthening E-Commerce Dispute Settlement Processes in Lao PDR

About RT4D

The Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) Facility supports ASEAN Member States to maximise benefits from the upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. 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.

Also operating under RT4D is the Trade and Gender Equality Incubator (TGEI), an initiative funded by the Australian Government. The incubator tests ideas and methods, drawing on promising examples, that integrate gender in trade policy, technical cooperation, and development programming. The Governments of Australia and New Zealand have committed up to AUD 48.7 million to fund RT4D from 2020-21 to 2027-28.

Project Summary

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Implementation Support Program (RISP), implemented through the Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) Facility, aims to support ASEAN Member States (AMSs) to realise the full benefits of RCEP through the provision of capacity-building support and access to technical expertise. The primary objective of this project is to develop institutional capacity and establish a practical framework for resolving e-commerce disputes in Lao PDR, aligning with commitments under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The initiative focuses on building competencies within key government agencies and engaging the private sector and MSMEs to foster a collaborative approach. By developing a roadmap, conducting workshops, and leveraging digital platforms, the project aims to create a sustainable, inclusive e-commerce dispute resolution ecosystem.

Location: Dili, Timor-Leste

Tetra Tech International Development is seeking a Strategic Communications and Public Diplomacy Adviser to develop and lead the Program’s Communications and Public Diplomacy Strategy, and to oversee all communications, advocacy, and public diplomacy efforts in Indonesia.

Contribute to a world where people, communities, and the planet thrive.

Tetra Tech International Development is a leading development consulting firm working with government, businesses, and NGOs to solve complex development challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. For more information, please visit our website.

The opportunity:

• Location: Jakarta, Indonesia (Flexible work arrangements may be considered upon request)
• Open to national and international candidates
• Fixed-term contract with possibility of extension.

Position Overview

Aus4ASEAN Futures builds on the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program phase 2 (AADCPII), a highly regarded program which has provided support to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) for 12 years. Aus4ASEAN Futures is a $204 million, ten-year investment embedded in the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC). It mobilizes resources through an ASEAN trust fund and uses ASEAN procurement systems, showcasing Australia's commitment to ASEAN priorities and partnership. The program supports the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), and ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), enabling Australia to engage with ASEAN on various strategic and emerging issues, such as climate change, vocational education, disaster preparedness, social inclusion, and the care economy. The goal is to foster a "peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive" ASEAN by promoting economic recovery, resilient communities, and peaceful, rules-based systems. Additionally, it aims to integrate cross-cutting issues like social inclusion, gender equality, and disability into ASEAN programs, and to enhance Australia's positive contribution to ASEAN.

The Strategic Communications and Public Diplomacy Adviser will ensure adherence to branding guidelines, document Program activities and achievements with high-quality strategic communications tailored to target audiences, support the ASEAN Secretariat in building strategic communications capacity, and manage public information and social media campaigns across traditional, social, and digital media platforms.

About Palladium  

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives.

We are seeking a Communications Manager for the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) that will provide communications support and guidance to the labour sending unit, PLMSP and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme implementation in Timor Leste. 

The manager will develop and deliver a communication strategy to maximise exposure to existing and potential employers in the PALM Scheme and build awareness and reputation of Timorese workers in Australia. The manager will develop good news stories in Timor-Leste for Timorese audiences including government, communities and other PALM stakeholders.

This is two-year opportunity with the potential for extension and the is based in Dili, Timor-Leste.

About Palladium  

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives.  

We are seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) Coordinator for the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) that will focus primarily on monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) support for scale-up activities funded through DFAT’s bilateral budget. This person will provide MERL support to Timor Leste’s Direccao Nacional Emprego Estranjeiror (DNEE) and the scale-up manager to ensure the Timor Leste government has the data it needs to inform their objective to increase worker numbers and expand into semi-skilled industries under the PALM scheme. The MER Coordinator will coordinate with PLMSP’s existing Timor Leste MERL coordinator position, to support reporting to DFAT on the effectiveness of assistance to DNEE and the Timor Leste government as well as coordinate MERL activities with other researchers and research organisations, including those funded by DFAT to investigate the impacts of labour mobility in Timor Leste.

This is a two-year contract with the potential of an extension and is based in Dili, Timor-Leste.

About Palladium  

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives. 

We are seeking a Scale-Up Project Coordinator (SPC) for the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) that will support the Scale-Up Project Manager (SPM), the Labour Sending Unit (LSU) and the DNEE team to implement the scale up activities in Timor Leste. The position will be responsible for supporting the overall direction of the Scale-Up program, facilitate stakeholder engagement to enhance the quality and quantity of workers available to employers, develop policies and processes to increase Timor-Leste participation in the PALM scheme.

This is two-year opportunity with the potential for extension and is based in Dili, Timor-Leste.

About Palladium  

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives.  

We are seeking a Scale-Up Program Officer for the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) that will support the Project Coordinator to provide day to day technical and administrative support to the Labour Sending Unit (LSU) of the National Directorate for Overseas Employment (DNEE) under the Secretariate of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE) to implement scale up activities to support labour mobility in Timor Leste. 

This is two-year opportunity with the potential for extension and is based in Dili, Timor-Leste.

About Palladium  

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives.  

We are seeking a Labour Mobility (LM) English Advisor, Timor Leste for the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) in consultation with the labour sending unit (LSU), will be responsible for developing and implementing a program of assistance to the Government of Timor Leste, through the the National Directorate of Foreign Employment (DNEE) to ensure that candidates in the Work Ready Pool are prepared for work and life in Australia on the PALM scheme in line with Timor Leste’s priorities.

This is short-term opportunity, with up to 90 days of LOE between April and July 2025.