International Environmental Safeguards Specialist for the South Santo Road Construction Works

Republic of Vanuatu
Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

VANUATU
Vanuatu Climate Resilient Transport Project
Project ID.: P167382

Assignment Title: Consulting Services for International Environmental Safeguards Specialist (Position for International)
Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): VU-MIPU-547150-CS-INDV

The Republic of Vanuatu (RoV) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Vanuatu Climate Resilient Transport Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services under this request for expression of interest.

The Republic of Vanuatu (RoV), represented by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) is now seeking a qualified and experienced International Environmental Safeguards Specialist to review and monitor the implementation of the project’s Environmental Safeguards management system and advise the duty holders (the MIPU and contractors) on gaps, corrective actions, and improvements, and to ensure the Environmental Safeguards management system for the project is effective and functioning.

The objective of this Consultancy is to support the Implementing Agency (MIPU) to achieve the project development objectives through undertaking the following tasks:
(i) Provide periodic technical advice and support for VCRTP to support implementation of all activities and to support environmental compliance for project investments and activities.
(ii) Undertake a variety of tasks such as reviewing various environmental documents developed under VCRTP, supporting the effective implementation of environmental requirements, compliance arrangements, reporting and overseeing the performance of Environmental Management across VCRTP.
(iii) Overall responsibility for requisite technical coordination with Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and other MIPU departments to ensure that the objectives and deliverables of VCRTP are delivered in a timely and efficient manner.
(iv) Provide operational support, capacity development and system development to MIPU staff as required.
(v) To effectively report on all VCRTP progress and activities as required.

The Scope of services to be provided include, but are not limited, to the following key tasks.
(i) Providing specialist advice to the VCRTP PIU on matters relating to environmental compliance in all aspects of the Project. This relates in particular to environmental safeguards, Environmental Management Plans, Environmental Impact Assessments, and other elements of environmental safeguard compliance and climate change-related matters applicable to the World Bank-funded projects.
(ii) Supporting the PIU in the management of safeguards issues under VCRTP, through the provision of timely and appropriate advice for both management and technical issues. This is expected to consider:
a. Practical understanding of the physical, operational and contextual environment of Vanuatu.
b. Review of various safeguard documents and provision of technical advice concerning their acceptability or areas of improvement (e.g. reviewing Contractor’s Environmental and Social Management Plans and providing feedback).
(iii) Lead the review and approval process for the updates to the environmental aspects of the Project’s ESMP and ESIA.
(iv) Provide technical support to the MIUP/PIU in monitoring the implementation of safeguards instruments (World Bank and GoV).
(v) Review Environmental Impact Assessments for the civil works; Review and advise in adequacy of Contractor’s Environmental and Social Management Plans (CESMP)
(vi) Review the project scope, update of ESMP, as required preparation of EMMP the range of subprojects and the nature of works planned, paying specific attention to any environmental issues identified during implementation.
(vii) Lead the Environment Safeguards team located in the PIU Field office (Joint ES office with PIU/DSC Team) at Santo to achieve the objective of the project and direct the DSC (the Engineer) for implementation as advised.
(viii) Prepare the Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC) Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), which indicates the kinds of emergency response actions that can proceed with no additional environmental or social assessment, and which ones would require assessment (and at what level) prior to being initiated.
(ix) As required, visit each of the project sites and liaise with the MIPU project office for natural resources and environment to ensure that all environmental concerns have been identified and documented.
(x) Providing capacity-building and professional development opportunities to the VCRTP PIU and MIPU-PWD staff through collaborative approaches in this role.
(xi) Provide safeguards reports on a regular basis based on submissions from Supervision Engineer and Contractor.
(xii) Regular reports on work undertaken each month, as well as inputs to other VCRTP PIU and MIPU reports as required to support their respective implementation reporting requirements; and
(xiii) Any other related work as directed by the VCRTP Road and Bridge Engineer/PST Coordinator and PIU Head to support VCRTP implementation.

The detailed scope and deliverables of the assignment are available in the Terms of Reference.

Duration: This is a part time role with 120 days input over a period of 12 months, in Santo (with travels to Port Vila as required), Vanuatu. Expectation is that a minimum of 60% of the input time is required to be on site in Santo while 40% of the input time may be from remote location.

The assignment's working mode is:
a. Periodic in-country missions focused on system verification, and leadership engagement.
b. Continuous remote support to the national ES consultant and site teams.
c. Ad hoc mobilization for investigations, attending World Bank missions, or emergent risk scenarios.

MIPU now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information in the form of a curriculum vitae demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The minimum requirements are:
Qualifications:
• At least a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science (or similar), or applicable cognate social science;
• At least Fifteen (15) years’ experience in environmental safeguards planning and implementation.
• Membership of the Professional Affiliations with a recognized institution is a plus.
Experience:
• At least Eight (8) years’ experience in environmental safeguard monitoring and compliance of civil works projects, particularly in environmental related services on similar projects, and within project frameworks
• At least 3 years of experience in similar projects in developing countries, preferably in the Pacific region or similar countries.

The selection process will be undertaken in line with the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Fourth Edition November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”) for open competitive selection. The most qualified and experienced respondent to this request for expressions of interest will become the preferred candidate for a negotiated time based contract.

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” (November 2020) (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Further information including the complete TOR can be obtained by writing to the email ids below during office hours 09.00 to 15.30 hours Vanuatu time.

Expressions of interest clearly marked with "VU-MIPU-547150-CS-INDV - EOI International Environmental Safeguards Specialist” must be delivered through email to the address below by 6 May 2026 at 16.00 hours Vanuatu time:

Director PWD, Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities
Private Mail Bag 9044
Port Vila
Vanuatu
Tel: +678 22888
Email: procurement.vcrtp@outlook.com, cc pnnao@vanuatu.gov.vu, sukumarshep@gmail.com