Consultancy Opportunity: Strengthening E-Commerce Dispute Settlement Processes in Lao PDR

Request for Proposal – Regional Trade for Development

Implementation Consultant and Event Organiser for Strengthening E-Commerce Dispute Settlement Processes in Lao PDR

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 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 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Implementation Support Program (RISP), implemented through the Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) Facility, aims to support ASEAN Member States (AMSs) to realise the full benefits of RCEP through the provision of capacity-building support and access to technical expertise. The primary objective of this project is to develop institutional capacity and establish a practical framework for resolving e-commerce disputes in Lao PDR, aligning with commitments under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The initiative focuses on building competencies within key government agencies and engaging the private sector and MSMEs to foster a collaborative approach. By developing a roadmap, conducting workshops, and leveraging digital platforms, the project aims to create a sustainable, inclusive e-commerce dispute resolution ecosystem.

The Opportunity

RT4D is seeking a consulting firm/consortium (hereafter called the Consultant) to support both the technical expertise and event organisation to implement the activities under the approved RISP Project Design “E-commerce Dispute Resolution”, in close collaboration with the RT4D Facility and the Project Proponent. All outputs and deliverables 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) via RT4D.

The Consultant must have strong technical expertise in legal and regulatory framework, online dispute mechanism, and consumer protection rights in the areas of E-Commerce, especially in the context of Laos. The consultant should have proven experience, excellent networking with bodies in both public and private sectors, traders’ manufacturers producers who are users of E-Commerce services, and ideally, prior experience with the Department of Internal Trade. Additionally, the Consultant should be proficient in workshop organisation, travel arrangements, data collection, report writing, and consultation with the Project Proponent and the RT4D Facility.

Interested applicants should fulfil the following criteria.

Interested consulting firms/consortium partners should put forth technical support personnel that can support the RT4D Team in completing the project. To ensure the project is effectively managed and fully with the aligned with this TOR, it is recommended that interested consulting firms include key roles such as Team leader, coordinator, trainers, workshop facilitator, and event organiser. In particular, the consulting team should have:

• Possession of a university degree or higher, preferably in disciplines such as commerce, trade, law, economics, IT, public policy or governance.
• 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 technical and subject matter expertise in the field in line with the context of Lao PDR in the field of practical framework legal/strategic documents for resolving e-commerce dispute, develop institutional capacity, public awareness rising, and organising and facilitation of workshops.
• Demonstrable experience developing program and project plans and designs that consider and incorporate the needs, priorities, and concerns of diverse government stakeholders
• Experience working with other ASEAN member states, ASEC or regional projects at the ASEAN level.
• Having experience working with the Department of Internal Trade (DOIT), the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Promotion Agency (MSMEPA), the Department of Competition and Trade Inspection (DCTI), and other E-Commerce bodies in Lao PDR.
• Having good networks with businesses in Lao PDR.
• Demonstrable experience designing, facilitating, and delivering online and on-site consultations and workshops that effectively engage a diverse government audience.
• Proven excellent report drafting experience, with the ability to incorporate comprehensive feedback at multiple stages.
• Strong understanding of and ability to operationalise the Monitoring & Evaluation, GEDSI, Communications, and Program Management considerations outlined in the above sections of this ToR.

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