Vanuatu faces persistent challenges in providing affordable, secure, and climate-resilient housing, particularly for low- and middle-income households. The country’s acute vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters—coupled with rapid urbanization and constrained land availability—has intensified housing shortages and underscored the urgent need for innovative, sustainable solutions.

In response, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) conducted a rapid assessment of potential housing sites across Vanuatu. Building on these findings, the Government of Vanuatu (GoV) has appointed IFC as the lead transaction advisor for the Vanuatu Climate Resilient Affordable Housing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project. The project seeks to expand the supply of affordable housing that is resilient to climate risks and natural disasters, while mobilizing private sector investment and expertise. This initiative is closely aligned with national development priorities, including the Vanuatu 2030: The People’s Plan, and reinforces the government’s commitment to sustainable urban growth and improved living standards.

Given Vanuatu’s heightened exposure to climate-related hazards such as severe storms, flooding, and earthquakes, the project emphasizes the design and construction of high-quality housing that minimizes vulnerability and mitigates the impacts of these events. Equally important is the integration of green building practices and energy-efficient technologies, which will enhance sustainability and long-term resilience of the country’s housing stock.

IFC will provide transaction advisory support to the Government of Vanuatu for the selection of a developer to design, build, finance, and maintain green, climate-resilient housing units for low- and middle-income households. The project aims to optimize the supply of affordable housing with minimal fiscal impact.

The Government of Vanuatu has identified a site at Bukura, on Efate Island, for the first pilot climate-resilient affordable housing project, to be developed as a public-private partnership (PPP). As part of its advisory role, IFC will conduct geo-technical and hydrology studies, site-specific demand assessments, and technical and commercial evaluations. IFC will assess the site’s suitability for PPP development and assist in structuring a commercially viable model to attract private sector participation.

As lead advisor for the PPP transaction, IFC will appoint a Consultant to provide technical support during both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project. The Consultant will be responsible for quality control of all deliverables to IFC and for managing the timing and coordination of inputs from Subconsultants. Proposals should outline any previous collaboration with subcontractors or specialists, including Subconsultants, and describe the methodology for ensuring quality control throughout the workflow.

SELECTION OF CONSULTING FIRMS BY THE WORLD BANK GROUP

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

Electronic Submissions through WBGeProcure RFx Now

ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

Assignment Title: Technical Consultant for Vanuatu Affordable Housing PPP project

Assignment Countries:

• Vanuatu

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION

·         The Government of Vanuatu, with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is launching the Vanuatu Climate Resilient Affordable Housing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project. This initiative aims to address the country’s acute shortage of affordable, secure, and climate-resilient housing for low- and middle-income households. Vanuatu’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, combined with rapid urbanization and limited land availability, underscores the urgent need for innovative and sustainable housing solutions. The project is closely aligned with national development priorities, including the Vanuatu 2030: The People’s Plan, and seeks to mobilize private sector investment and expertise to deliver high-quality, resilient, and energy-efficient housing.

·         IFC, as lead transaction advisor, invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified consulting firms to provide technical support for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project. The selected Consultant will be responsible for quality control of all deliverables to IFC and for managing the timing and coordination of inputs from Subconsultants. Key responsibilities include:

• • Conducting geo-technical and hydrology studies, site-specific demand assessments, E&S scoping study, and technical and commercial evaluations for the pilot site at Bukura, Efate Island.
  • Assessing the site’s suitability for PPP development and assisting in structuring a commercially viable model to attract private sector participation.

o   Supporting the design, build, finance, and maintenance of green, climate-resilient housing units for low- and middle-income households

ELIGIBILITY

Interested firms should demonstrate:

• Proven experience in technical advisory for climate-resilient and affordable housing projects, preferably in small island developing states or similar contexts.
• Expertise in conducting geo-technical, hydrology, and E&S scoping assessments.
• Experience in structuring PPP transactions and mobilizing private sector investment.
• Strong track record in managing multidisciplinary teams and ensuring quality control of deliverables.
• Some of Subconsultants with local presence in  Vanuatu are preferred

Proposals should outline any previous collaboration with subcontractors or specialists, including Subconsultants if applicable, and describe the methodology for ensuring quality control throughout the workflow.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The World Bank Group invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. for firms; CV and cover letter for individuals). Please note that the total size of all attachments should be less than 5MB. Firms may associate to enhance their qualifications unless otherwise stated in the solicitation documents. Where a group of firms associate to submit an EOI, they must indicate which is the lead firm. If shortlisted, the firm identified in the EOI as the lead firm will be invited to the request for proposal (RFP) phase.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted, in English, electronically through WBGeProcure RFx Now

NOTES

Following this invitation for EOI, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Shortlisting and selection will be subject to the availability of funding.

Only those firms which have been shortlisted will be invited to participate in the RFP phase. No notification or debrief will be provided to firms which have not been shortlisted.

If you encounter technical difficulties while uploading documents, please send an e-mail to the Help Desk at corporateprocurement@worldbank.org prior to the submission deadline.