The Australia-Papua New Guinea Economic Partnership (APEP) is a multi-sector investment which is assisting the Government of Papua New Guinea to (PNG) achieve a resilient and diversified economy that provides a high quality of life for all Papua New Guineans. 

The APEP Efficient and Inclusive Markets (EIM) work stream seeks to address common bottlenecks within the system, at both macro and micro levels, to deliver inclusive growth and increase economic opportunities for women, marginalised groups, and rural populations. 

The Strongim Hub, Strongim Bisnis project will work with key partners in the private sector to improve the supply of high quality, demand-driven business support to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in PNG by delivering tailored capacity development support to up to five privately-operated ‘SME Hubs’.

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

The Australia Papua New Guinea Economic Partnership (APEP) is an eight-year, multi-sectoral investment which commenced in April 2022. APEP is delivered as part of the broader Australia Papua New Guinea Partnership which brings strong alignment and integration with the development priorities of the government of Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

APEP will work collaboratively with other Australian investments and development partners, to deliver impactful and sustainable development outcomes across five key engagement areas:

• EOPO 1 - Safeguarding Macroeconomic Stability
• EOPO 2 - Strengthening Public Financial Management for Improved Service Delivery and Inclusive Growth
• EOPO 3 - Supporting More Efficient and Inclusive Markets
• EOPO 4 - Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods
• EOPO 5 - Catalysing Economic Research and Dialogue.

Gender equality, disability, social inclusion (GEDSI) and women’s economic empowerment (WEE) are central to APEP and integrated across all engagement areas and activities. cross-cutting themes are climate and ensuring the perspectives of First Nations Australians are embedded into APEP planning and implementation.

Regular reflection, reporting, learning, and adaptation are applied to all engagement areas through APEP’s MERLA system.

The Australia Papua New Guinea Economic Partnership (APEP) is an eight-year, multi-sectoral investment which commenced in April 2022. APEP is delivered as part of the broader Australia Papua New Guinea Partnership which brings strong alignment and integration with the development priorities of the government of Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

APEP will work collaboratively with other Australian investments and development partners, to deliver impactful and sustainable development outcomes across five key engagement areas:

• EOPO 1 - Safeguarding Macroeconomic Stability
• EOPO 2 - Strengthening Public Financial Management for Improved Service Delivery and Inclusive Growth
• EOPO 3 - Supporting More Efficient and Inclusive Markets
• EOPO 4 - Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods
• EOPO 5 - Catalysing Economic Research and Dialogue.

Gender equality, disability, social inclusion (GEDSI) and women’s economic empowerment (WEE) are central to APEP and integrated across all engagement areas and activities. cross-cutting themes are climate and ensuring the perspectives of First Nations Australians are embedded into APEP planning and implementation.

Regular reflection, reporting, learning, and adaptation are applied to all engagement areas through APEP’s MERLA system.

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 consultant (individuals or firms) to review, design and develop the Fiji Consumer & Competition Commission’s electricity generation licensing system.

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

Implementation Consultant and Event Organiser for Strengthening E-Commerce Dispute Settlement Processes in Lao PDR

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

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Implementation Support Program (RISP), implemented through the Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) Facility, aims to support ASEAN Member States (AMSs) to realise the full benefits of RCEP through the provision of capacity-building support and access to technical expertise. The primary objective of this project is to develop institutional capacity and establish a practical framework for resolving e-commerce disputes in Lao PDR, aligning with commitments under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The initiative focuses on building competencies within key government agencies and engaging the private sector and MSMEs to foster a collaborative approach. By developing a roadmap, conducting workshops, and leveraging digital platforms, the project aims to create a sustainable, inclusive e-commerce dispute resolution ecosystem.

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. 

Palladium and the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) are seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified consultant firms to deliver economic modelling and analysis on the economic impacts of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in Australia. The analysis will provide economic analysis and policy insights at the national, sectoral, regional and local scales.

This EOI is the first step in a two-stage process to select a suitable consultancy firm to provide the required services. Where consultants are shortlisted to the next stage, they will be provided with more detail to prepare a full proposal. After the second stage, a preferred consultant will be selected and engaged to undertake the required work. The timeframe for delivery of these services is from the beginning of May to mid-August 2025.

Background 

Solomon Islands Australia Partnership’s Strongim Bisnis is an economic development initiative to increase economic opportunities and participation for people and businesses in Solomon Islands. 
 
Recognising that Solomon Islands has a small consumer market and economy, dispersed population, and high cost of doing business, we identify and analyse specific sectors that have a high potential for growth and can consequently create new employment and income generation opportunities.  

 We facilitate strategic partners (including businesses, government, civil society, and associations) in those sectors to address the root constraints to growth and inclusion (Women, Youth and People living with disabilities) through innovative solutions.  

Position Summmary and Justifcation for the Role 

The Partnership Director – Deputy Team Leader is responsible for the design, implementation and management of the program partnerships portfolio and representation of the program in stakeholder engagement.  

The Partnership Director is responsible for the technical design and implementation of sector strategies for Strongim Bisnis, including supporting the identification and development of partnerships with businesses, relevant associations, and the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) to deliver inclusive and resilient growth.  

The position is based in Honiara, where the Strongim Bisnis Office is located. The program’s business activities are implemented nationally, focusing on stimulating pro-poor growth and maximising impact to scale-up long-term production, value addition, income, employment, and opportunity across the provinces. The Partnership Director supports engagement with all stakeholders in target sector and cross cutting areas, from smallholder producers within local communities to government ministries, service providers, aggregators, manufacturers, exporters, and investors. 

This role drives innovation and flexibility and contributes new thinking within existing and new markets to develop and facilitate strategic partnerships that drive systemic change in selected sectors, leading to greater productivity and inclusivity, and increased incomes for poor households in the Solomon Islands. 

The Partnership Director works closely with the Team Leader to lead the development of intervention strategies for target sectors and manage Business Case development. The role requires working closely with the Communications and Engagement Director – Deputy Team Leader and MRM Manager to ensure interventions are effectively monitored, implemented, and managed, using tailored and adaptive approaches, and consistently learning from new information and the changing context over the life of the program.  

The Partnership Director manages Senior Partnership Managers, with each adviser working within one of the technical Hubs. The Partnership Director works closely with the Senior Partnership Managers to prepare Business Cases, budgets, and Partnership Agreements, implement partnership activities and procurement, and manage the program portfolio. 

Abt Global is seeking a highly qualified individual to fill the role of Agricultural Livelihoods Project Officer on the Australia – PNG Subnational Program (APSP). This role is based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and open to PNG citizens.