Aus4Growth is seeking an individual who has proven experience leading and managing trade/economic development projects or policies, preferably in the context of international development.

About the Proposal

People living with disabilities often encounter substantial barriers which can hinder them from having full and meaningful participation in society. Such obstacles can make those living with disabilities more vulnerable to all forms of exploitation, violence, abuse and exclusion.

Despite the magnitude of the problem and the critical need for improved understanding and responses, the current research and action surrounding the nexus of disability and trafficking in persons remains limited. The recent study conducted by the Australian government-funded ASEAN-Australia Counter Trafficking program (ASEAN-ACT), has identified significant gaps – whether in laws, policy, and practices including in victim support and data – which will require all stakeholders to work together towards the full and meaningful participation and inclusion of persons with disability in countering trafficking in persons.

ASEAN-ACT seeks to provide small grants for selected Organisations of Persons with Disability (OPDs) and/or relevant Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam building on the success of similar initiatives in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. The grant intends to foster changes in policy and practices towards counter-trafficking responses, ensuring they are more inclusive of and sensitive to the needs of persons with disabilities.

• 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

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

Until 31 October 2025 (6-8 months)

Location

Hanoi, Vietnam

Reports to

P4I Energy Lead

Closing date

04 Apr 2025

About P4I

Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) is an Australian Government initiative partnering with Southeast Asia to drive sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth through quality infrastructure. P4I partners with Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

P4I works with partners to strengthen infrastructure decision-making and practice across the transport, energy, utilities and telecommunications sectors. P4I’s focus is on the early stages of the infrastructure lifecycle, including planning and prioritisation, financing strategy, and procurement.

The four main services offered by P4I are linkages with Australian government agencies and other institutions, technical and policy advice, infrastructure project advice and knowledge-sharing and learning.
As the foundation of quality infrastructure, P4I also integrates gender equality, disability, and social inclusion, and disaster risk reduction and climate change considerations into all activities.

Delivered through a single team, P4I is led by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in collaboration with Ernst & Young, Adam Smith International, The Asia Foundation and Ninti One. P4I has a head office in Bangkok, with other staff located around the region.

Scope of Work

The responsibilities of the Expert will depend on specific skills and job requirements, as well as the needs of P4I and ERAV in knowledge sharing and capacity building for ERAV. The Expert will provide support to ERAV’s Power Market Department under the expert-sharing cooperation mechanism. Responsibilities will be based on the Expert’s qualifications and may include (but are not limited to) the following tasks as requested for research by P4I and ERAV.

1. Facilitate ongoing technical collaboration with ERAV through expert support, knowledge sharing, joint research, and capacity-building initiatives.
2. Sharing information on the activities on the survey and Market Analysis and Technical Support as requested
   • Collection of Quantitative Data:
      
     1. Gather historical market data, including electricity demand, generation, pricing trends, and settlement outcomes.
     2. Collect statistics on market participation, such as the number of wholesalers, independent power producers (IPPs), and renewable energy generators.
     3. Obtain data on curtailment rates for renewable energy, grid congestion issues, and system outages.
   • Qualitative Data Collection:
      
     1. Conduct interviews and surveys with key stakeholders, including ERAV, market participants, grid operators, and independent power producers.
     2. Gather insights into operational challenges, regulatory hurdles, and market design concerns directly from stakeholders.
   • Market Analysis and Technical Support:
      
     1. Conduct in-depth analysis of Vietnam’s wholesale electricity market (VWEM), including its design, implementation, and alignment with intended objectives.
     2. Identify challenges and propose practical solutions for improving the VWEM, addressing inefficiencies, transparency, and market participation.
   • Policy and Regulatory Guidance:
      
     1. Provide insights into Vietnam’s regulatory and policy landscape, particularly the New Electricity Law and related regulations (e.g., Circular No. 21/2024/TT-BCT, etc.).
     2. Advise on integrating renewable energy and implementing mechanisms like direct power purchase agreements to foster private sector investment.
   • Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building:
      
     1. Assist in organizing workshops, training sessions, and stakeholder consultations to share Australia’s experience in competitive power markets and renewable energy integration.
     2. Support ERAV in building institutional capacity to implement and manage wholesale market reforms effectively.
   • Engagement with Stakeholders:
      
     1. Serve as the primary local liaison with ERAV and other key stakeholders (e.g., energy companies, government agencies, and market participants).
     2. Facilitate communication between P4I’s Australian experts and Vietnamese stakeholders, ensuring mutual understanding of technical concepts and recommendations.
   • Program Coordination:
      
     1. Coordinate local logistics for P4I’s program activities, including meetings, site visits, and events.
     2. Monitor program progress and ensure alignment with P4I’s objectives and timelines.

KEY INFORMATION
Position: Team Leader
Sector: Facility Management, Expert Deployment Mechanism and Framework Agreements
Duration: 25 months
Base City: Hanoi, Vietnam
Start Date: 10 June 2025
Reports to:  Contractor Representative, Cowater 
Contractual arrangement : Eligible for both Vietnamese residents/citizens and international applicants.

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The Gender Responsive Equitable Agriculture and Tourism (GREAT) Program is a flagship initiative of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).  The Program promotes sustainable women’s economic empowerment (WEE) in the ethnically diverse north-west region of Vietnam by applying a market systems development (MSD) approach. The primary beneficiaries are women living in the provinces of Son La and Lao Cai, while an overarching emphasis is placed on the inclusion of women from ethnic minority communities.
 
The Program is in its second five-year (2022-2027), AUD 33.7 million, phase (GREAT 2) continuing its focus on agriculture and tourism - sectors that lend themselves to opportunities for advancing WEE. The Program works with multiple private and public sector stakeholders to address constraints, generate opportunities, drive market growth and increase the productive value of the sectors. Cross-sector strategies such as women’s leadership, access to finance, digital transformation, policy advocacy, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and social norm and behaviour change inform and complement sector interventions.
 
The Program works in close collaboration and coordination with provincial government agencies to ensure alignment with national and provincial Government of Vietnam plans and goals.

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.