Vanuatu Affordable and Resilient Settlements Project (VARS)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

Individual Selection of Consultant

1). BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

Following the December 17, 2024 earthquake, extensive damage occurred across Port Vila’s Central Business District (CBD), public infrastructure, and residential housing. In response, the Government of Vanuatu, supported by the World Bank through the Vanuatu Affordable and Resilient Settlements (VARS) Project, initiated recovery and reconstruction planning guided by the Port Vila CBD Vision and Concept Plan: Earthquake Recovery and Rebuilding – 2035 and beyond.

The Project Management Unit (PMU) for Recovery has been established under DUAP to coordinate design review, planning submissions, and implementation oversight.

To support this effort, DUAP seeks to engage a Traffic Engineer and Plannerto provide technical advice on traffic, transport, and mobility planning to inform recovery works, development applications, and implementation of the CBD Concept Plan. The Planner/Engineer will work closely with the Design and Stewardship / Urban Planning Specialist, PMU staff, and Port Vila City Council (PVCC).

2). OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of the assignment is to provide specialist traffic and transport planning expertise to:

• Support safe, efficient, and resilient traffic and mobility outcomes within the Port Vila CBD during recovery and redevelopment.
• Ensure traffic and transport proposals align with the CBD Vision and Concept Plan, zoning provisions, and urban design objectives.
• Improve pedestrian priority, public transport functionality, and overall street performance.
• Strengthen institutional capacity within DUAP and PVCC for traffic and transport planning and assessment in a post-disaster context.

3). QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Essential Qualifications:

• Degree in Traffic Engineering, Transport Planning, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years’ experience in traffic or transport planning, preferably in urban or post-disaster contexts.
• Demonstrated experience assessing traffic impacts and advising on urban redevelopment projects.
• Strong understanding of pedestrian-focused and multimodal street design.
• Ability to work effectively in multi-agency and resource-constrained environments.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with World Bank or donor-funded urban resilience projects.
• Experience working with Pacific Island municipalities or SIDS.
• Knowledge of Bislama and experience engaging with local communities.
• Experience working with local governments or planning authorities.
• Strong analytical, drafting, and presentation skills.

4). REPORTING

The Expert will functionally report to the Project Manager – Recovery, and work in close coordination with:

• Director, DUAP, Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Senior Town Planner, Port Vila City Council.

All reports and recommendations will be reviewed and endorsed by the PMU before submission to the World Bank.

5). DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The assignment is part-time over three years, totaling up to 70 days (intermittent inputs). Specific inputs will align with project milestones — notably, planning submission phases for major recovery and reconstruction projects and the rollout of risk-informed urban planning for new precincts.

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 – REOI application, Cover Letter and CV must be delivered to the address below by hand, mail, courier or email on or before 13th March 2026

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

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Submit your application with the following as your subject: Traffic Engineer and Planner Reference No. VU-MLNR-537437-CS-INDV