Working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia

We are delighted to host this online event on Working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia, which will feature a panel of BEI members sharing their experiences of working with DFAT. The panel of existing suppliers to DFAT and former colleagues who worked as part of Australian Aid will share tips and tricks on how to win contracts, how to prepare for funding from DFAT, and the challenges organisations may encounter as suppliers.

As the UK’s ODA budgets have significantly decreased, many of the UK’s top aid delivery partners are increasingly looking to diversify their donor portfolios. This event will offer a platform for BEI members to connect with industry-leading organisations who have a deep understanding of DFAT’s procurement processes and requirements, to enable forming strategic partnerships. Our panel will discuss the differences between working with DFAT and with other donors, such as FCDO, whose processes may be more familiar to members. This event will be of particular interest to members who are looking to diversify their portfolios and gain know-how in the practicalities of working with DFAT.

Australia works closely with partners in the Pacific, Southeast Asia and across the globe to support sustainable development and help build a safer and more resilient world. In 2024–25, the Australian Government will provide more than 4.96 billion AUD in Official Development Assistance (ODA). This builds on the substantial increases delivered since the October 2022 Budget, reflecting the Government's commitment to sustainable ODA growth – and to better supporting the region's priorities. In 2023 Australia also launched its first long-term International Development Policy in a decade. The core areas of this are climate change, locally led development and gender equality.

Tetra Tech International Development operates across the Indo-Pacific to build the capacity of local organisations to address social, economic, and political challenges, with their presence in the region having grown significantly over the last 30 years. Tetra Tech’s presentation will focus on key policy shifts under the new government to the requirements on First Nations Foreign Policy and need for relationships with Australian Indigenous suppliers, localisation, Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and climate change.

Adam Smith International (ASI) is a global advisory company that works locally to transform lives by making economies stronger, societies more stable, and governments more effective. ASI will share their experience of working with DFAT and the differences between delivering for DFAT compared to for other donor organisations.

Deloitte provides a wide variety of services for a range of industries - from helping transform organisations, to protecting financial markets and working with governments to support societies. Deloitte will cover their experience ranging from project management, engagement with DFAT officials, and go-to-market strategies from the perspective of a former Australian Aid employee.

Agenda:

9.00 - 9.10 Introduction from BEI chair

9.10 - 9.40 Presentations from speakers

9.40 - 10.15 Q&A