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 Program

Technical Consultant on AISP Project “Developing National Policies and Laws Related to GRTKTCE; and Empowering Ethnic Communities through strengthening capacity for GRTKTCE protection for Interested ASEAN Member States (AMSs)”

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

The following project is approved under AISP.

• Project Name: Developing National Policies and Laws Related to GRTKTCE; and Empowering Ethnic Communities through strengthening capacity for GRTKTCE protection for Interested ASEAN Member States (AMSs)
• Project Objective:
  • For communities: Increase awareness within indigenous communities of GRTKTCE protections and enhance their capacity to benefit from non-legal and legal frameworks.
  • For institutions: Increase institutional capacity to strengthen non-legal and legal framework for the protection of GRTKTCE and the benefit of indigenous communities.

Be part of a panel of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) consultants providing advice on the Australian Government’s Climate Resilient Communities program in the Indo-Pacific, covering the Pacific, Southeast Asia and South Asia regions.

Be part of a panel of program and investment design consultants on the Australian Government’s Climate Resilient Communities program in the Indo-Pacific, covering the Pacific, Southeast Asia and South Asia regions.

Reporting to the National GEDSI Lead and collaborating with the SPRING Program team, the GEDSI Officer will provide essential technical and operational support to the National GEDSI Lead in developing technical advice and recommendations for key implementing partners such as DSWD, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other relevant stakeholders. This role will focus on supporting the National GEDSI Lead in delivering policy and technical assistance to relevant implementing partners to promote inclusion and gender equality, improve the responsiveness of delivery systems and enhance gender responsiveness in strengthening social protection systems.

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.

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Lead
Reports to: Team Leader
Direct Reports: GEDSI Officers (up to four)
Location: Manila, Philippines
Duration: 15 February 2025 to 14 February 2026 with possibility of multiyear extension.
Readvertised Positon
 
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender equality (SPRING) program is Australia’s flagship investment of support to the Philippine Government on Social Protection, Gender Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion and Indigenous Inclusion. It is an AUD 40 million investment over 5 years that will support the joint Development Partnership Plan (DPP 2024-2029) between the Government of Australia and the Philippine Government. The investment will be the DFAT’s primary avenue in the Philippines for supporting poverty reduction and bilateral funding on gender equality and social inclusion at the national level and with some select Local Government Units (LGUs). SPRING will support efforts under Australia’s new International Development Policy and DFAT’s forthcoming new strategies on gender equality, disability equity and rights, and translate these into implementation in the Philippines.  
 
SPRING will contribute to the goal that the social and economic transformation in the Philippines reduces poverty and provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos in line with the Philippines Development Plan.
 
The objective of SPRING is that Australia works in partnership with the Philippine Government to improve systems and structures that reduce poverty and inequality and advance gender equality and the rights of people with disabilities.
 
SPRING has four mutually reinforcing End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):

1. Philippine Government social protection plans, policies and programs increasingly close gaps in the social protection floor.
2. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and select LGU systems increasingly deliver quality social protection that is inclusive, gender and shock responsive, and climate sensitive.
3. The Philippine Government increasingly invests in gender responsive policies, plans, programs and systems.
4. The Philippine Government improves data, systems and targeting to enable people with disability and Indigenous Peoples improved access to targeted services.

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Lead
Reports to: Team Leader
Direct Reports: Knowledge Management and Communications Officer; MEL Officers
Location: Manila, Philippines
Duration: 15 February 2025 to 14 February 2026 with possibility of multiyear extension.
Readvertised Positon
 
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender equality (SPRING) program is Australia’s flagship investment of support to the Philippine Government on Social Protection, Gender Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion and Indigenous Inclusion. It is an AUD 40 million investment over 5 years that will support the joint Development Partnership Plan (DPP 2024-2029) between the Government of Australia and the Philippine Government. The investment will be the DFAT’s primary avenue in the Philippines for supporting poverty reduction and bilateral funding on gender equality and social inclusion at the national level and with some select Local Government Units (LGUs). SPRING will support efforts under Australia’s new International Development Policy and DFAT’s forthcoming new strategies on gender equality, disability equity and rights, and translate these into implementation in the Philippines.  
 
SPRING will contribute to the goal that the social and economic transformation in the Philippines reduces poverty and provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos in line with the Philippines Development Plan.
 
The objective of SPRING is that Australia works in partnership with the Philippine Government to improve systems and structures that reduce poverty and inequality and advance gender equality and the rights of people with disabilities.
 
SPRING has four mutually reinforcing End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):

1. Philippine Government social protection plans, policies and programs increasingly close gaps in the social protection floor.
2. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and select LGU systems increasingly deliver quality social protection that is inclusive, gender and shock responsive, and climate sensitive.
3. The Philippine Government increasingly invests in gender responsive policies, plans, programs and systems.
4. The Philippine Government improves data, systems and targeting to enable people with disability and Indigenous Peoples improved access to targeted services.

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer will be engaged full-time. They will assist in the regular quantitative and qualitative monitoring and reporting of SPRING’s activities, as per the MEL system. They will ensure baseline data collection is conducted as planned and that data is collected regularly against SPRING’s logical framework indicators. The M&E officer will assist in data collection, data handling, protection, and analysis, as well as in producing regular monitoring and evaluation reports, evidence-based case studies, and success stories for dissemination. Additionally, they will support partners to ensure application of performance monitoring, and evaluating the success in all planning, budgeting, implementation, reporting and knowledge management activities of the program.   

Senior Program Officer- Judicial Learning and Development

Are you passionate about supporting rights-based justice in the Philippines? Tetra Tech International Development is looking for an experienced Senior Program Officer- Judicial Learning and Development. This position will support the capacity of judges and court personnel to deliver quality administration and adjudication of cases on a range of specialist and technical areas.

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

• Based in Manila, Philippines
• Available to Philippines Nationals
• Initial 12-month contract, with the opportunity for extension

FAIR Justice Program

The Fostering Advancement of Inclusive, Rights Based (FAIR) Justice Program (the Program) will advance Australia and Philippines’ shared commitment to the rule of law, rights-based justice, and strong and accountable institutions, as vital to the stability, security, and prosperity in the Philippines and in the Indo Pacific region. Building on Australia and the Philippines’ longstanding cooperation in law and justice, the Program will support a broader justice system strengthening and ensure greater synergy with DFAT’s investments in promoting rights-based justice, countering terrorism and violent extremism, combatting human trafficking and protecting children against online abuse and exploitation, as well as justice initiatives of other donors and development partners.