Vanuatu Affordable and Resilient Settlements Project (VARS)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

Individual Selection of Consultant

1). BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

The Vanuatu Affordable and Resilient Settlements (VARS) Project, funded by the World Bank, supports the Government of Vanuatu in strengthening land administration systems, improving infrastructure access, and enhancing institutional capacity within the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MoLNR).

A key challenge identified within MoLNR is the limited institutional capacity in internal audit and financial control systems, particularly in relation to:

• Compliance with the Public Finance and Economic Management (PFEM) Act and Contract and Tenders Board (CTB) Act
• Weak or inconsistent internal control systems and procedures
• Lack of standard operating procedures (SOPs) across revenue and financial processes
• Limited capacity for investigative audits and risk management

To address this, the VARS Project will finance a Senior Internal Audit Technical Advisor to:

• Temporarily undertake the functions of an Internal Auditor, and through that learning process.
• Establish systems, SOPs, and institutional frameworks to enable a permanent Public Service position to be filled and sustained.

This assignment is designed as a dual-role position combining both operational delivery and institutional establishment functions. The Technical Advisor will be required to (i) perform the full duties of an Internal Auditor on an interim basis to ensure continuity of audit oversight and compliance within the Ministry, and (ii) simultaneously design, develop, and embed the systems, standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, and capacity necessary for a permanent public service position to assume this role.

The primary intent of this structure is to ensure that the engagement delivers sustainable institutional strengthening rather than dependency on external expertise. Accordingly, the Technical Advisor must prioritise the transfer of knowledge, development of practical tools, and implementation of systems that can be effectively maintained by the Ministry following completion of the assignment.

The success of the assignment will be measured not only by the effective execution of audit functions during the contract period, but critically by the readiness of the Ministry to transition to a fully operational, locally staffed Internal Audit function at the conclusion of the assignment. Support strengthening of revenue management systems through improved internal controls, data integrity, and audit of billing and collection processes.

The project has engaged the services of a Revenue Management Specialist and a Land Administration Specialist, who will actively assist the Senior Internal Auditor Technical Advisor in key tasks of the services. The Senior Internal Audit Advisor will work in coordination with the Revenue Management Specialist and Land Administration specialist on land and revenue-related systems and processes, with the Specialists leading system design and reform, and the Advisor focusing on control, compliance, and validation.

2). OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of this assignment is to:

• Provide independent, objective assurance and advisory services to MoLNR.
• Establish robust internal audit systems and SOPs aligned with Government legislation.
• Build institutional capacity to enable a smooth transition to a permanent Internal Auditor position within 15 months; and
• Strengthen governance, accountability, and financial management within the Ministry.

3). QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Degree in Accounting, Auditing, Forensic Accounting, or related field
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in auditing, preferably in public sector or developing country contexts.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Public financial management systems
  • Internal audit standards
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Establishing audit systems and SOPs
  • Institutional capacity building
• Experience working with government ministries or donor-funded projects.
• Strong analytical, reporting, and stakeholder engagement skills
• High level of integrity and professionalism

4). REPORTING

• Provide:
  • Monthly progress reports
  • Quarterly audit reports
  • Completion report including:
    • SOPs
    • Audit framework
    • Capacity assessment
    • Recommendations

5). DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

• 15 months (full-time)

6). SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Project Financing for Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, Fourth Edition, November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

• A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations. 

• Interested applicants may obtain further information including a detailed Terms of Reference from the Ministry in person or by e-mail to the address given below during office hours from 8.00 a.m.– 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

• Deadline: Expressions of interest – Cover Letter and CV must be delivered to the address below by hand, mail, courier or email on or before 22nd May 2026 before 1400 Hours.

7.1: Address:

The Vanuatu Affordable and Resilient Settlements Project (VARS)

Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, (MoLNR)

George Pompidou Complex, Port Vila

Email Address: spo@vars.vu

Cc’d to: pm@vars.vu / cm@vars.vu / pmr@vars.vu

Click here to access TOR

Submit your application with the following as your subject: Senior Internal Auditor Ref No.: VU-MLNR-545550-CS-INDV