Join our Panel of Technical Experts – Aus4ASEAN Futures Initiative
• Exciting panel opportunity to contribute to the strengthening of ASEAN- Australia relations
• Commencement: From June 2024 onwards
• Short, medium, and long-term positions
• Location: Southeast Asia, remote
The Australia for ASEAN Futures Initiative (Aus4ASEAN Futures), valued at AUD 204 million over 10 years (2022 to 2032), supports all three ASEAN community pillars: the Economic Community, Socio-Cultural Community, and Political-Security Community. It is demand-driven and responsive to ASEAN priorities, providing practical support through ASEAN systems. Aus4ASEAN Futures is managed by a Program Management Team (PMT) and a Program Planning and Monitoring Support Unit (PPMSU), based in the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC). This initiative is vital in strengthening the relationship and positive dialogue between ASEAN and Australia, supporting jointly approved ASEAN priority projects through a trust fund. Aus4ASEAN Futures is creating a panel of advisers from which to draw a diverse range of skills and capabilities. The panel members will support the program’s requirements in economic, connectivity, political-security and socio-cultural matters, enabling Australia to engage with ASEAN across a diverse range of strategic and emerging areas. If you are passionate and motivated to contribute to the strengthening of ASEAN-Australia relations, we would love to hear from you.
The Panel
Tetra Tech will assemble, maintain, and draw down expertise from an extensive panel of individual technical specialists. These pre-screened experts will be on hand to provide responsive and high-quality technical assistance to Aus4ASEAN Futures at all stages of program delivery. These can include activity scoping and design, workshop/dialogue facilitation, capacity building, and policy formulation. The Panel of Technical Experts will provide expert input and advisory services across the sectors outlined below.
For our panel of technical experts, we are seeking international development professionals who have:
- Experience in providing strategic policy advice and technical guidance – minimum of 10 years of experience
- Worked in at least three of the ASEAN Member States or AMS (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and Timor-Leste
- Applicants must have at least a master’s degree and be proficient in English (proficiency in Southeast Asian languages are desirable)
- Provided technical assistance to ASEAN or ministries/agencies of AMS (desirable)
- Experience with the implementation of DFAT-funded programs (desirable)
- The ability to assess and mitigate risks, adhere to principles such as the safeguarding of vulnerable groups such as Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, Child Protection and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment, and Environmental and Social Safeguards.
Panel assignments may include, but are not limited to:
- Working with the Aus4ASEAN Futures team and ASEC to design and deliver technical advisory services and regional projects, including monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning
- Leading or supporting capacity-building activities with ASEAN, institutions, and partners
- Facilitating consultations/dialogues with ASEAN and ASEAN stakeholders
- Developing policy papers, position papers, and technical reports
Discover your path with Aus4ASEAN Futures Initiative – watch the recorded info session
Thank you for joining us for an exclusive online information session, where attendees learned firsthand about the roles available, the impact of our work, and how to contribute to the dynamic needs of ASEAN communities. You can now watch the recorded session to gain these valuable insights.
Book your spot
Event link will be provided upon registration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who will manage the Panel?
Tetra Tech International Development will manage the Panel of Technical Experts. Tetra Tech has been contracted by DFAT to support Aus4ASEAN Futures. As the Managing Contractor for the Technical Services and Support Program (TSSP) component of Aus4ASEAN Futures, Tetra Tech will provide technical, logistics, and project support for Aus4ASEAN Futures activities designed to enhance partnership and integration into ASEAN systems across all three ASEAN community pillars. Tetra Tech, a global provider of high-end engineering and consultancy services, operates in 100 countries on 7 continents. With over 40 years of experience in international development across more than 80 countries, Tetra Tech is a trusted DFAT supplier. Their expertise in Economic Development, Climate & Environment, Defence & Human Security, Education, Inclusion, Justice & Transformation, Infrastructure, and Research, Monitoring & Evaluation will be utilised to support Aus4ASEAN Futures.
How will Panel members be selected?
Applications and expressions of interest will be assessed using the criteria specified, including successful completion of due diligence checks. DFAT, in close consultation with the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), will determine the final composition of the Panel. This decision will be based on factors such as the spread of expertise (pillars) and geographic coverage, with a strong focus on inclusion and localisation.
What are the proposed salary/rates?
Rates will vary and depend on the relevant skills and experience of the panel member.
How will members of the Panel be contracted?
Applicants who have been selected as members of the Technical Panel will sign a Common Services Deed (the deed) with Tetra Tech. The Common Services Deed includes the generic Terms of Reference for the Panel and standard contract provisions (such as, insurances, intellectual property, and the Work Order template). Specific assignments will be detailed through a Work Order (subsidiary to the Master Services Agreement), which will contain the objectives, deliverables, outputs, and budget for each assignment.
What is the process for DFAT to engage the Panel of Technical Experts?
Demand for technical advisory services, whether from individual technical specialists or Partner Organisations, will depend on ASEAN priorities and activities. Once DFAT has identified an assignment, Tetra Tech will recommend at least three panel members. The recommended panel members will be selected based on their suitability for the assignment and their availability.
In some instances, Panel Members will be requested to submit a proposal in response to a Concept Note/Activity Design/Terms of Reference.
Who will select the Panel Members for assignments?
The final decision on the panel member(s) for each assignment will be made by DFAT, in close consultation with ASEAN.
When can members of the Panel expect to be contacted for an assignment? What is the likely duration of the assignments?
Assignments may commence at any time. The duration of assignments will vary; however, these will likely be short to medium-term assignments, with some assignments requiring a quick turnaround time. Panel Members will be contacted periodically to confirm their ongoing availability and interest.
Can members of the Panel be contacted for more than one assignment at a time?
Potentially. The main considerations are the suitability of the panel member and the risks (if any) of assigning the same panel member to multiple activities; an assessment will be done on a case-by-case basis.
Where will assignments for Panel Members be based?
Depending on assignment requirements, Panel Members may either be Southeast Asia-based or undertake the work remotely, depending on the need.
Where can I learn more about Australia’s partnership with the ASEAN, in general, and Aus4ASEAN Futures Initiative, in particular?
ASEAN and Australia | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)
Australian Mission to ASEAN - ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 (pmc.gov.au)
The Pillars
Our panel of technical experts will support the Program’s requirements in economic, connectivity, political and socio-cultural matters, including expertise across the following sectors:
Economic Pillar
- Trade, including agreements
- Women trading globally; women in business; investing in women
- Tourism
- ICT4D (ICT for development)
- Digital economy, including regional agreements, e-commerce and digital ID
- Green and clean energy transition
- Circular economy
- Blue economy/marine resources
- Private and business sector engagement
- Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises
- Food security, sustainable agriculture
- Critical minerals
- Counter terrorism
- Maritime cooperation and security, including law of the sea
- Cyber security
Socio-cultural Pillar
- Inclusion issues (including, gender equality, disability and social inclusion)
- Education, including Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), higher education
- Cultural and social cohesion
- Environmental and climate Justice
- Climate action, including disaster risk reduction and management. Resilience, climate security, climate resilient infrastructure
- Health systems, health policy, infectious disease control and one health, nutrition
- Biodiversity and conservation
- Labour migration
- Sustainable rural development
Political-Security Pillar
- International partnerships (such as international humanitarian law, regional and bilateral agreements, UN and other international conventions)
- Good governance
- Human rights
- Women, peace and security
- Transnational crime including trafficking in persons, people smuggling, illicit drugs and counter terrorism
- Maritime cooperation and security, including law of the sea
- Cyber security
Cross-cutting and enabling activities
- Priorities reflected across ASEAN Post-2025 strategies
- Socio-economic analysis of Southeast Asian countries
- Political-economy analysis of Southeast Asian countries
- Public diplomacy and events
- Data analytics to support public policy formulation
- Priorities identified in Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040
Connectivity
- Supply chains and logistics management
- Digital connectivity and transformation
- Regional infrastructure
