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.

The Governments of Australia and New Zealand have committed up to AUD 53.3 million to fund RT4D from 2020-21 to 2027-28.

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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 five projects are approved under RISP.

  • Project 1: Development of dual transition strategy for agriculture, manufacturing and processing MSME by leveraging digital transformation for green growth
  • Project 2: Promote resilient farming for MSME by promotion of new inclusive business model to socialise the benefits of the RCEP Agreement
  • Project 3: Policy review of the RCEP E-commerce Chapter to enhance MSMEs engagement
  • Project 4: Review on Vietnam’s trade-in-services commitments versus regulatory framework, and the status of trade in services between Vietnam and RCEP countries
  • Project 5: RCEP Insights: Preparing Malaysian SMEs for Trade

The Opportunity

RT4D is seeking a consultant (a firm) (hereafter referred to as "the Consultant") to manage and deliver five (5) separate Project Designs, with one Project Design developed for each of the abovementioned 5 projects. The delivery will follow standard RT4D templates and be subject to comments, amendments, and approval from the RT4D Facility Team, the Project Proponents and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Closing Date for Queries: 15 June 2026 

Queries

Term of Reference

    

The general competencies and qualifications that the Consultant should demonstrate include (but are not limited to):

General Technical and Experience Requirements

  • Skilled and experienced expert/team of Experts with the technical expertise, bandwidth, and capabilities to support the RT4D Facility to deliver all outputs in alignment with the remit and timelines set within this Scope of Services.
  • Demonstrable experience developing program and project plans and designs that consider and incorporate the needs, priorities and concerns of diverse government stakeholders (i.e. stakeholders representing countries with different priorities and capacity constraints and agencies with different mandates and priorities).
  • Demonstrable experience designing, facilitating and delivering online and on-site consultations and workshops that effectively engage a diverse government audience.
  • Experience working and engaging with ASEAN governments, ASEC and/or AMS is a distinct advantage.
  • Proven excellent report drafting experience, with ability to incorporate comprehensive feedback at multiple stages.
  • Experience working with the Projects’ Proponents, and Australian and New Zealand officials is a distinct advantage. The organisation must be comfortable with ASEAN stakeholders and following ways of working (or comparable governance arrangements).
  • Strong understanding of and ability to operationalise the Monitoring & Evaluation, GEDSI, Communications and Program Management considerations outlined in the above sections of this ToR.

Project-Specific Expertise Requirements

  • Project 1: Demonstrated expertise in MSME development, digital transformation, green growth, and sustainable manufacturing and processing sectors, including experience developing strategies, policy frameworks, or recommendations to support dual digital and green transitions for MSMEs.
  • Project 2: Strong technical knowledge and practical experience in sustainable and resilient agriculture, inclusive business models, rural economic development, and RCEP utilisation, particularly in supporting agricultural MSMEs to access trade opportunities and strengthen inclusive participation.
  • Project 3: Proven expertise in digital trade, e-commerce policy, and RCEP implementation, including experience conducting policy analysis or reviews of trade agreement provisions related to e-commerce, digital economy frameworks, and MSME engagement.
  • Project 4: Demonstrable experience in trade in services analysis, regulatory and policy reviews, and assessment of international trade commitments, particularly in relation to RCEP services commitments, market access, and regulatory alignment.
  • Project 5: Demonstrated expertise in RCEP-related business outreach, MSME trade readiness, and trade promotion initiatives, including experience supporting SMEs to better understand and utilise regional trade agreements and export opportunities.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.


Apply before 27 June 2026

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