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 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.

Request for Proposal – Regional Trade for Development Program

Technical Consultant, Project “Advancing Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in Regional Economic Integration and Trade in ASEAN – From Learning to Policy Actions”

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. Under the operation of the RT4D, the Trade and Gender Equality Incubator (TGEI), with funding support from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), tests ideas and methods, drawing on promising practice to advance gender equality within trade-related policies, technical cooperation, and development programming.

Project Summary

GEDSI-responsive trade policy is important to ensure that all economic actors benefit from regional trade and economic integration. This regional project aims to build ASEAN Member State (AMS) capacity in gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) and trade, such that relevant officials are better able to design and implement GEDSI-responsive trade policy and trade facilitation programs in their countries. TGEI intends a partnership with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to:

1. Adapt existing training materials on gender and trade to the ASEAN context.

2. Deliver these trainings to ASEAN officials (online and in-person).

3. Provide technical assistance to select AMS to implement GEDSI-responsive trade policy.

4. Foster a community of practice to support policymakers in these endeavours.

Aus4ASEAN Futures

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 embedded in the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) mobilizing resources through an ASEAN trust fund account and using ASEAN procurement systems. This model of partnership and deep integration into ASEAN systems is highly valued by ASEAN and unique to Australia. It demonstrates Australia’s commitment to be responsive to ASEAN priorities and requests, and work as a true partner to ASEAN.

Aus4ASEAN Futures is a $204 million investment over ten years. It will support activities in the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) and AEC. The introduction of these communities will enable Australia to engage with ASEAN across a diverse range of strategic and emerging areas, from climate change to mental health, disaster preparedness to marine debris. Developing stronger links across a wide range of themes, it will increase connections with ASEAN and more effectively support a more resilient and integrated region.

The goal for Aus4ASEAN Futures is a “peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive” ASEAN with the following End of Program Outcomes:

(a) ASEAN member states’ planning, policies and programs more effectively support all Communities to promote:

(i) economic recovery, integration and connectivity.

(ii) inclusive resilient communities; and

(iii) peaceful, rules-based systems.

(b) ASEAN programs, plans and policies more effectively integrate cross-cutting issues including social inclusion, gender equality and disability.

(c) Australia is recognized for its positive contribution to ASEAN.

Key responsibilities

· Develop and implement a Communications and Public Diplomacy strategy, in consultation with both DFAT and ASEAN stakeholders.

· Develop and deliver new social media channels where Program updates will be shared, accessible to both an ASEAN and Australian audience.

· Develop case studies to showcase Program accomplishments and achievements.

· Launch an internal communications campaign, where new branding, social media channels and collective narrative are shared with relevant internal stakeholders, possibly over several weeks through consistent social media posts or other creative communications.

· Set-up a system for collecting and sharing Program impact, including mainstreaming communication into individual projects, and establishing consistent pathways for sharing this content with key audiences. The Comms and PD Adviser should also consider a creative platform for ongoing communications over the duration of the Program.

· Develop training and provide technical support to the ASEAN Secretariat divisions responsible for public affairs, outreach and strategic communications.

· Lead the launch specific flagship events to highlight the Program’s outputs including a Futures Dialogue or Futures Week, which will help to showcase activities related to ASEAN’s post-2025 workplans and speaks to the “futures” theme of the Program’s name; and

· Manage travel and events as part of the Program and public affairs strategy and provide advice on any opportunities for DFAT to engage and collaborate with the ASEAN Secretariat and/or other relevant parties on policy and strategy.

KONEKSI program, managed by Cowater International, is seeking Head of Partnerships Management who will lead the partnerships management. They will lead the partnerships team in implementing collaborative research grants and technical assistance to knowledge partnerships. In addition, the Head of Partnerships Management is responsible for implementing new initiatives related to KONEKSI’s partnership work including communities of practice and research and partnership platform.

The STTA Pool is a roster of vetted and qualified consultants from which Development Pathways can rapidly engage technical experts for DFAT-funded programs. The STTA Pool enables programs to effectively respond to emerging opportunities by drawing on exceptional external experts to deliver services.

The DFAT-funded Knowledge Partnership Program (KONEKSI) is seeking a Head of Partnerships that will lead partnerships outreach and programming. The Head of Partnerships will lead the partnerships outreach and programming for the KONEKSI program. In collaboration with relevant experts, they will lead the partnerships team in designing and implementing collaborative research grants and provision of technical assistance to a range of knowledge partnerships. In addition, the Head of Partnerships is responsible for developing new initiatives to further advance KONEKSI’s partnership work and continually strengthen and build new relationships. This position is open to Indonesians and International experts

KONEKSI is looking for Head of Partnerships who will lead partnerships outreach & programming. This vacancy is open to Internationals & Indonesians.