Technical Consultant, Project “Advancing Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in Regional Economic Integration and Trade in ASEAN

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.

The Opportunity

The RT4D Facility and TGEI now seek two individual consultants with complementary skills (hereafter the Consultants) to work together closely to support the design and delivery of project activities planned for between March 2025 and June 2027. The selected Consultant will be responsible for the completion of the following outputs in close consultation with, and approval from, the TGEI Lead and Head of the Trade and Gender Office of WTO:

1.An ASEAN specific three-day training curriculum: Delivery of the ASEAN-specific components of a training curriculum which will cover: i) Overview of GEDSI and trade in the international trading system; ii) Overview of GEDSI considerations relevant to RCEP and AANZFTA provisions; iii) Small group work specifically on gender-responsive trade policy measures for sectors relevant to RCEP/AANZFTA chapters using ASEAN case studies.

2. A three-day workshop to test the training materials in August 2025 (tentative): i) Provide inputs for the call for applications and selection of participants; ii) Co-facilitate the workshop with designated staff of WTO and RT4D/TGEI; iii) Provide inputs for the workshop report.

3.An additional training workshop on GEDSI and trade, to be held (tentatively) in September 2026: i) Provide inputs for the call for applications and for selection decision; ii) Co-facilitate the workshops with designed staff of WTO and RT4D/TGEI; iii) Provide inputs for the workshop report.

4.Country specific technical assistance to selected AMS: Based on the request of the selected countries, provide remote technical support, in collaboration with a local consultant in each country.

5.Four virtual meetings with post-workshop participants and two annual webinars: Prepare and moderate all online sessions with designated staff of WTO and RT4D/TGEI; and produce meeting reports.

6. Produce learning products in form of policy briefs, case studies, a summary of a GEDSI responsive policy review report, or a summary of good practice in supporting GEDSI and trade. The specific type and number of the learning products will be decided by RT4D/TGEI and WTO staff.

**7.Project Reporting –**Provide inputs for six-month reports and the project completion report.

Interested applicants should fulfil the following criteria:

• Senior trade and gender practitioners with minimum 15 years of relevant work experience and training qualification as below:
• Technical expertise in in GEDSI (gender equality, disability and social inclusion) and trade issues (e.g. trade negotiation, technical barriers to trade, trade facilitation, etc.)
• Technical expertise and experience in conducting research and providing policy support related to gender and trade in the Asian or ASEAN context.
• Experience in designing, facilitating and delivering online and in-person workshops on GEDSI and trade topics.
• Advanced degree (Master or PhD) in related fields such as International Development Studies, Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, International Trade, Economics, Political Science, International Relations, or Law.
• Experience working and engaging with multiple ASEAN governments is a distinct advantage. The consultant must be comfortable with engaging with senior officials among ASEAN stakeholders.
• Proven excellent report drafting experience, with ability to incorporate comprehensive feedback at multiple stages in a timely manner.

For a complete Terms of Reference, click here. Password is TetraTech2025 or visit RT4D Website .