Technical Consultant for Project Implementation “Technical and Capacity Building Support towards the Implementation of the AANZFTA Full Cumulation Guidelines”

Request for Proposal – Regional Trade for Development Program 

Australia | Cambodia | Indonesia | Lao People's Democratic Republic  | Malaysia | New Zealand | Philippines | Singapore | Timor-Leste | Thailand | Viet Nam |

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

The following project is approved under AISP.

• Project Name: Development of Project Design for Technical and Capacity Building Support towards the Implementation of the AANZFTA Full Cumulation Guidelines.
• Project Objective: The project aims to support AANZFTA Parties by providing capacity-building activities and reference materials to facilitate decision-making and implementation of full cumulation provisions under the AANZFTA Second Protocol. The project has the following specific objectives:
  • Develop implementation reference materials that provide Proof of Origin (POO) issuing and customs authorities in AANZFTA Parties with guidance, practical examples and scenarios demonstrating how to implement cumulation in line with the Full Cumulation Guidelines
  • Provide POO issuing and customs authorities in AANZFTA Parties with capacity building support that addresses capacity and knowledge gaps in the implementation of full cumulation under the AANZFTA. This will be done through a hybrid capacity building program—a combination of online learning and in-country workshops—that strengthens the capacity of POO issuing and customs authorities to apply full cumulation provisions effectively.
  • Provide clear guidance to supply-chain participants (producers, suppliers, exporters, authorised exporters and importers) on the benefits and approaches to using full cumulation. This will be done through a Business Handbook that provides case studies and tangible guidance in line with the AANZFTA Full Cumulation Guidelines.

The Opportunity

RT4D is seeking a consulting firm/consortium (hereinafter referred to as “the Consultant”) to manage and deliver the abovementioned project, in close collaboration with the RT4D Facility and the Project Proponent. The final Project outputs will be subject to comments, amendments, and approval from the RT4D Facility Team, the Project Proponent and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

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

• Skilled and experienced team of Experts with the technical, stakeholder management, workshop facilitation and private sector engagement and support expertise, bandwidth, and capabilities to support the RT4D Facility to deliver all outputs in alignment with the remit and timelines set within this ToR.
• Demonstrable technical expertise and experience conducting applied research, providing policy and technical support and/or managing the implementation of FTA commitments related to Rules of Origin (ROO) in ASEAN, Australia and/or New Zealand. Expertise supporting the design and/or implementation of cumulative rules of origin is a distinct advantage.
• Demonstrable experience developing ROO related implementation guidelines and capacity-building materials and delivering training for government and private sector stakeholders through consensus-based approaches that address diverse priorities and capacity constraints. Direct experience designing trainings and delivering capacity building support to ASEAN Member States is a distinct advantage.
• Experience designing and delivering structured self-paced online courses for governments and/or businesses. The consultant should demonstrate capabilities and capacity to design and manage an online course using a fit-for-purpose Learning Management System (LMS).
• Demonstrable ability to provide project coordination and management support for a regional project. Such support should ensure that ASEAN Secretariat and stakeholders from all AANZFTA Parties are adequately engaged and consulted throughout project implementation.
• The organisation must be comfortable with engaging with the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN stakeholders and following ways of working (or comparable governance arrangements).
• Proven excellent report drafting experience, with ability to incorporate comprehensive feedback at multiple stages in a timely manner.
• Experience and demonstrable capacity and resources to design and deliver projects in line with robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), GEDSI & Communications and Business Engagement requirements outlined in the above sections of this ToR.

For a complete Terms of Reference, please click here. Password is TetraTech2025 or visit  Welcome to Regional Trade for Development | Regional Trade for Development

How to Apply

Interested candidates may apply for more than one consultancy position. Please visit Welcome to Regional Trade for Development | Regional Trade for Development for more information on how to apply.

Closing Date for Queries: 11/07/2025

Closing Date for Proposals: 27/07/2025

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.