Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) helps countries in the Indo-Pacific region to grow through improved productivity, economic diversification, competitiveness and trade. 

MDF helps business partners and government to identify markets that have high potential to grow, be profitable, and deliver social and environmental value. 

Our aim is to do good by supporting good business. MDF supports business investment and innovation that reduces poverty, economically empowers women and combats climate change. We currently operate in Fiji, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga and Sri Lanka.

MDF is funded by the Australian Government. It is implemented by Palladium, in partnership with Swisscontact. 

SLSU is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from Sri Lankan international aid and development industry professionals residing permanently in Sri Lanka. International applicants will not be considered. We are calling for applicants with demonstrated experience in the areas of: Skills, TVET, Economic Development, Governance & GEDSI

• Contribute your socio-cultural technical expertise as part of the Aus4Asean Future panel of experts
• Exciting opportunity to contribute to the strengthening of ASEAN-Australia relations
• Commencement from May 2025 onwards for short, medium, and long-term inputs
• Location: Southeast Asia; remote

• Sri Lanka Support Unit 2 is seeking a Skills Program Officer to support the implementation and performance oversight of anticipated new skills activities funded through DFAT in the Matale District in Sri Lanka.  
• Contract term up to July 2027 based in Colombo, Sri Lanka  
• Candidates are required to be located in, or in close proximity to, Matale District and to have strong existing relevant networks in the area. 

Request for Proposal – Regional Trade for Development Program

Event Organisation and Management for an on-site event on AISP Project “Implementing AANZFTA Data Rules: Advancing Cross-Border E-Commerce.

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

The following project is approved under AISP.

•Project Name: Implementing AANZFTA Data Rules: Advancing Cross-Border E-Commerce.

•Project Objective:

• The Regional Workshop is intended to deepen mutual understanding of the regulatory landscape, promote alignment, and support the development of business-friendly policies. It will also provide an opportunity to seek preliminary recommendations for best practice principles, ensuring their relevance and practicality for AANZFTA economies.
• To foster discussions on challenges, successes, and best practices in implementing cross-border data rules. This activity directly supports the project’s objectives of enhancing regulatory alignment and strengthening the implementation of cross-border data rules across the AANZFTA region.

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

Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe.  We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of more than 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.  We are seeking a Localisation and Sustainability Advisor for the IFTAEC Program, which can be on a fully remote basis across the Asia Pacific region. 

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.

Duration

6 months

Location

Manila, Philippines

Reports to

Oliver Redrup, P4I

Closing date

10 Apr 2025

About P4I

Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) is the Australian Government’s flagship infrastructure initiative for Southeast Asia. It partners with Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to foster inclusive growth through sustainable economic infrastructure (i.e. transport, energy, telecommunications, and utilities).  

Delivered through a single cohesive team, the initiative is led by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in collaboration with EY, Adam Smith International, The Asia Foundation, and Ninti One. The Program’s Head Office is in Bangkok (the Hub).  

P4I focuses on infrastructure prioritisation and planning, policy and regulation, and procurement and project preparation (P4I does not finance the delivery of infrastructure). All services aim to address gender equality, disability, and social inclusion, and disaster risk reduction and climate change issues. P4I can respond to rapid requests but ultimately aims to develop longer-term infrastructure engagement.

Scope of Work

The selected contractor will be responsible for the following tasks:

Task 1 – review and analysis of current state

• Review and analysis of current state i.e., relevant DOTr functions, project development processes and roles and reorganisation initiatives to inform inputs to designing strawman structure/s, roles, skills and staffing needs for the internal investment mechanism
• Delivery team will review DBM submission prepared by DOTr. Consultant will be expected to input into this review by reviewing the outputs prepared by the delivery team.  

Task 2 – review and provide comments on the interim and final deliverables

• Review and provide comments on the interim deliverable – expected to be a structure/s of the mechanism including but not limited to functions, roles, skills and number of positions (and their descriptions and justification), processes, analysis required by the mechanism and governance.  
• Review and provide comments on the final draft deliverable – full report detailing final structure and recommendations.  

Task 3: Attendance at meetings  

• As required (given suitable lead time) the selected contractor will be expected to attend and contribute to project team meetings. This may include answering ad-hoc questions based on experience (no preparation required).  
• At the discretion of the project team, the selected provider may be required to attend meetings with DOTr officials and/or other government stakeholders.

• Sri Lanka Support Unit 2 is seeking a Skills Program Officer to support the implementation and performance oversight of anticipated new skills activities funded through DFAT in selected geographical location(s) in Sri Lanka. 
• Contract term up to July 2027 based in Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Candidates are required to be located in, or in close proximity to, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts.