Consulting Opportunity: AANZFTA Implementation Program (AISP) - Promoting AANZFTA through Commu[...]

Consulting Opportunity: AANZFTA Implementation Program (AISP) - Promoting AANZFTA through Communications and Business Engagement

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 AANZFTA Implementation Support Program (AISP) and 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:

1. Increase understanding of AANZFTA, the AANZFTA Upgrade, and AISP activities.
2. Build on 2023 AISP-ECWP communications and business engagement initiatives, including:

• A Communications Package on AANZFTA Upgrade benefits.
• Regional and national business roundtables.

• Explainers for ASEAN businesses
• Business Roundtable Factsheets
• Four Case Studies on AISP success
• AEM-CER Communications Package and Video

The Opportunity

The RT4D Facility seeks consultant firms or organisations with complementary skills (hereafter the Consultants) to design and deliver project activities between April 2025 and June 2025. The Consultant will work closely with the RT4D Facility, AANZFTA stakeholders, and relevant partners to produce a series of business explainers, factsheets, case studies, and a strategic communications package. The Consultant will be given relevant information and data to deliver these activities.

Activities:

1. THREE Explainers for ASEAN Businesses

   Adapt key content from the MSME Handbook into engaging communication materials tailored for diverse MSME stakeholders across ASEAN.

   Develop three animated explainer videos that simplify and illustrate the key messages of the MSME Handbook using practical case studies.

   Produce content in English and oversee translations into Khmer, Lao, and Vietnamese to ensure accessibility.

   Video topics include:

   • AANZFTA Upgrade Outcomes – Highlighting business opportunities across trade in goods, services, investment, e-commerce, competition, trade and sustainable development, and MSMEs.
   • Trade-in Goods Outcomes – Showcasing market access opportunities for ASEAN MSMEs through sector-specific case studies.
   • Trade in Services Outcomes: This section demonstrates opportunities for ASEAN MSME service providers within the AANZFTA region, using real-world examples.
2. TWO Business Engagement Factsheets

   Develop two Business Engagement Factsheets summarising insights from the four AISP AANZFTA Business Roundtables, translating complex information into accessible and engaging formats.

   Utilise infographics and case studies to highlight key findings, challenges, and practical solutions for business engagement with AANZFTA.

   Tailor the factsheets for distinct audiences:

   1. For AANZFTA Subsidiary Bodies: offering recommendations to enhance business engagement under AISP.
   2. For a public audience: outlining key trade challenges and opportunities under AANZFTA.

   Oversee translations into Khmer, Lao, and Vietnamese, ensuring clarity and quality.

3. FOUR Case Studies Showcasing AISP Success Stories

   Develop four case studies (3-5 pages each) showcasing successful AISP initiatives supporting AANZFTA implementation.

   Case studies will focus on:

   • Pattern approval and verification of weighing instruments (SC-STRACAP).
   • Women's advancement in Intellectual Property in Lao PDR (IPC).
   • Business Roundtables in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam; Communications Package for the AANZFTA Upgrade (EC-SC).
   • Competition Law Implementation and Consumer Affairs Programs (Committee on Competition).

   Conduct stakeholder interviews, review reports, and incorporate technical expert input. Ensure final validation and approval by the Economic Cooperation Sub-Committee (EC-SC).

4. Key materials for presentation at the 2025 ASEAN Economic Ministers – Closer Economic Relations (AEM-CER) Meeting.

   Summarise key insights from case studies for presentation at the AEM-CER Meeting.

   Develop a comprehensive 6–10-page document and a 4–5-minute video highlighting AISP progress, key outcomes, and benefits of the AANZFTA Upgrade.

   Key content will include:

   • Summary of substantial outcomes from AISP-ECWP projects (2023-24 and 2024-25).
   • Planned activities and priorities for the 2025-26 AISP-ECWP.
   • Lessons learned and strategic objectives for future implementation.
   • Use visually dynamic formats to effectively communicate progress and impact.

   This body of work will serve as a strategic advocacy tool, reinforcing the long-term benefits of AISP and AANZFTA while ensuring stakeholders remain engaged and informed.

To ensure the above can be effectively managed and completed, interested bidders should fulfil the following criteria:

• Skilled and experienced team of experts with the technical expertise and demonstrable capacity to support the RT4D Facility in delivering all outputs in alignment with the remit and timelines set within this ToR.
• Experience developing copy across various communication formats, including policy briefs, reports, case studies, infographics, social media content, and website copy, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and engagement.
• Experience in the design/production of materials such as reports, presentations, knowledge products, marketing collateral, and digital assets, with a strong understanding of branding, visual storytelling, and accessibility standards.
• Capacity to engage and manage Technical Experts and Translation Services.
• Capacity to provide technical expertise in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge dissemination to effectively convey complex trade and development themes to diverse audiences.
• Capacity to provide technical expertise and oversight in designing and developing program and project reports for a government audience, ensuring alignment with donor and government reporting standards, application of robust methodologies, and accurate synthesis of activity data from multiple sources.
• Demonstrable understanding of ASEAN and ASEC processes and ways of working is a distinct advantage, particularly in regional trade, economic cooperation, and policy development.
• Proven excellent report drafting experience, with the ability to structure complex information into clear, compelling narratives and incorporate comprehensive feedback at multiple stages in a timely manner.
• Experience and demonstrable capacity and resources to design and deliver communications projects in line with robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), and Communications and Business Engagement requirements.

How to Apply: Click the "Apply for job" button on the Tetra Tech International Development website. Applications will only be accepted via the website. Emailed applications will be disregarded.

Interested applicants should provide the following documents:

• A proposal highlighting relevant experience, technical expertise and training qualifications.
• A cover letter explaining why they are a suitable candidate.
• A relevant work sample / portfolio which is solely delivered by the consultant.
• Proposed daily rate for professional services.

Apply before 11:59 PM (AEST) Sunday 13 April 2025.

Please note that only shortlisted consulting firms / organizations will be contacted.

Why Tetra Tech International Development?

As a leading development consulting firm, Tetra Tech International Development works with people and communities to solve some of the world's most complex challenges to achieve a positive impact.

Working at Tetra Tech International Development means working within a values-led organisation that invests in flexible work environments built on trust, safety and well-being. Through unified systems, flexible and supportive workplaces, we provide the foundations required for our team to enjoy the work they do and deliver value every day. Read more about our culture, purpose and values here.

Tetra Tech International Development is an equal-opportunity employer and has a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion. We encourage people with disability; First Nations Peoples; and people of all cultures, genders, abilities and experiences to apply.