About RT4D

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.

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 RCEP Implementation Support Program (RISP), implemented RT4D Facility, aims to support AMS to realise the full benefits of RCEP through the provision of capacity building support and access to technical expertise.

The following project is approved under RISP.

• Project Name: Fostering Inclusive Policies and Practices in ASEAN’s E-Waste Management and Recycling Industry to support Manufacturing Related Services

• Project Objective: The project aims to strengthen inclusive regulatory frameworks and business practices in e-waste management and recycling services; especially those of electronic vehicles (EV) battery and solar cell panels. In doing so, the project will ensure that e-waste policies and business models in ASEAN advance gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) outcomes and promote more equitable, innovative and environmentally friendly manufacturing practices. In line with this aim, the project has the following objectives:

o to strengthen the capabilities of key stakeholders who are engaged in e-waste management and recycling services to use digital technologies, especially in the area of EV batteries and solar cell panel supply chains.

o to identify GEDSI issues and recommendations to support businesses, including those owned by women and people with disabilities, to effectively participate in e-waste management and recycling services.

o to encourage key stakeholders, particularly policy makers, to align trade related policies and regulatory frameworks to advance GEDSI and circular economy practices at the national and regional levels.

Role Summary

Reporting to the DFAT Counsellor (Development) and with a high degree of autonomy, the Communications Adviser will assist in the development and delivery of the Mekong Australia Partnership’s communications functions. The role will be responsible for helping develop and implement a communications strategy, determine MAP core messages and ensuring that these core messages reach identified stakeholders and intended audience. The role will work with Investment Managers located in Bangkok and across DFAT’s Posts in the Mekong sub-region to collect, create and disseminate information and messaging. The Adviser will work with the Adviser – Performance, Quality and Risk, to create content to support Monitoring and Evaluation.

The Adviser will be located in the Mekong Hub in Bangkok and work closely with sector specialists, Australian Government posts in the region, implementing partners, Australian Government agencies and DFAT Canberra. 

The Adviser will directly supervise one Locally-engaged Public Diplomacy Officer.

Role Summary

The Adviser is responsible for assisting the MAP Advisor – Performance, Quality and Risk, implement the MAP Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) system, and managing information flows to inform management of lessons learned from investment implementation. This includes working closely with delivery partners to ensure investment MEL systems are fit for purpose, contribute to MAP objectives, are in line with DFAT requirements, and supportive of the overall MAP Performance Assessment Framework (PAF). The Advisor will support DFAT Investment Managers prepare Investment Monitoring Reports (IMRs) for MAP regional programs managed from Bangkok, and assist Posts across the region to report bilateral activities, including through IMRs, within the MAP MEL framework as required.

The Adviser will be located in the Mekong Hub and report to the Advisor – Performance, Quality and Risk. The Advisor will work closely with sector specialists, Australian Government posts in the region, implementing partners, Australian Government agencies and DFAT Canberra.  The position will support coordination within and between Mekong countries and facilitate cross-fertilisation and learning between MAP investments.

Role Summary

Reporting to the DFAT Counsellor (Development) and with a high degree of autonomy, the Operations Adviser will manage a small team to deliver Mekong Australia Partnership accountability and administration functions to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of Official Development Assistance (ODA) investments across the MAP portfolio.  The position will work closely with DFAT staff to design, establish and implement core integrity and administrative measures across the entire MAP portfolio. The position will represent DFAT with external stakeholders across the Mekong sub-region, as we deepen our partnerships. This position will also work closely with Australian Posts in the Mekong subregion, implementing partners, and other Australian Government agencies based in Australia and the region.