Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation Project ( - Тендер #70962728)

NOTICE AT-A-GLANCE

• Project ID

P508550

• Project Title

Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation Project

• Country

Pacific 1

• Notice No

OP00426958

• Notice Type

Request for Expression of Interest

• Notice Status

Published

• Borrower Bid Reference

• Procurement Method

N/A

• Language of Notice

English

• Submission Deadline Date/Time

Mar 10, 2026 17:00

• Published Date

Feb 24, 2026

• CONTACT INFORMATION
• Organization/Department

Ministry of Finance

• Name

Ronish Prasad

• Address

Suva, Fiji

• City

• Province/State

Pacific 1

• Postal Code

• Country

Pacific 1

• Phone

679 339 7011

• Email

ronish.prasad02@finance.gov.fj

• Website

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

The Government of Fiji through the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has received financing from the World Bank (“WB”) for the Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation Project (PHIT) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) will support the MOF’s decision to establish a Project Management Unit (PMU) to oversee the implementation of the project’s activities. The PMU will work in close coordination with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other relevant ministries to support associated policy and regulatory reforms, manage a substantial volume of consultant and supplier contracts, and ensure effective implementation oversight, including compliance with environmental and social safeguards and reporting requirements.

The MOF intends to engage a consulting firm to provide PMU services for the PHIT Project. The objective of this assignment is to deliver professional project management and advisory services to support the effective, timely, and compliant implementation of a portfolio of subprojects under the PHIT Project over its five-year implementation period.

The scope of services will cover the full project lifecycle and is expected to include, inter alia, support to the co-design and refinement of technical specifications, work planning and scheduling, procurement and contracting processes, contract administration and management, implementation oversight, compliance with environmental and social safeguards, monitoring and reporting, and financial and technical acquittal of project activities.

The detailed Terms of Reference (“TOR”) for the assignment is attached to this REOI.

The MOF now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (“the Regulations”), more recent version, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

The evaluation criteria for shortlisting are set out below. Consulting firms responding to this Expression of Interest are requested to provide sufficient information to demonstrate their qualifications against these criteria.

• Core business and years of operation, including the firm’s organizational background and areas of specialization.
• Relevant experience and technical and managerial capability of the firm, particularly in assignments of a similar nature, scale, and complexity.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and / or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality Cost Based Selection (“QCBS”) method set out in the Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1700 hours. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by the 10th of March, 2026.

Attn: Mr. Ronish Prasad

Principal Procurement Officer

ronish.prasad02@finance.gov.fj

Phone: + 679 339 7011

Level 4 (West Wing),

Ministry of Finance - Fiji Procurement Office

Ro Lalabalavu House, Suva

https://www.finance.gov.fj/

PACIFIC HEALTHY ISLANDS TRANSFORMATION PROJECT

Project Implementation Management Consulting Services for Fiji

Terms of Reference

1. Project Background

The Pacific Island Countries (PICs) span a vast area of 30 million square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean, with significant diversity in size, geography, and population distribution. This geographic complexity, combined with small and widely dispersed populations, creates substantial challenges for financing, organizing, and delivering health services efficiently and equitably.

Health outcomes in PICs lag behind those of economic peers, with life expectancy in Fiji (68 years), Tonga (71 years), and Tuvalu (62 years) falling short of the 77-year average for upper-middle-income countries. Kiribati’s life expectancy (61 years) is even lower than the average for lower-middle-income countries. These disparities are largely driven by high rates of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), compounded by climate change, geographic isolation, and limited resources. As a result, a regional approach is essential for effective intervention and sustainable health system transformation.

Healthcare systems in the Pacific are currently not well-equipped to manage the growing burden of NCDs. Primary Health Care (PHC) services are weak, with poorly coordinated patient pathways, limited resources, and a shortage of specialized physicians. This leads to late disease detection and incomplete treatment options, especially for conditions like cancer. Infrastructure for secondary and tertiary care is often lacking, and essential diagnostic supplies and equipment are in short supply.

In Fiji, the 2024 Health Sector Review (HSR) identified key challenges that have directly informed the PHIT project design, including fragmented service delivery, weak PHC systems, high NCD rates, and limited access to tertiary care. PHIT responds by promoting integrated, person-centered care, strengthening NCD screening and treatment pathways, investing in digital health systems, upgrading climate-resilient PHC facilities, expanding tertiary care, and supporting regional health worker training. The project also addresses inefficiencies in referral processes, climate vulnerability, and gender disparities in health access and outcomes.

2. Project Overview

The Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation Project (PHIT), approved in September 2025, is designed to address these systemic and functional challenges. It aims to transform Pacific health systems into fit-for-purpose, PHC-oriented models. The project supports participating countries—Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, and Tuvalu—by complementing and amplifying existing national health investments, reducing fragmentation, and addressing shared challenges through regional solutions. PHIT is structured to be scalable, allowing for future expansion to other countries or regional organizations. The full description of the project scope and design can be found in the Project Appraisal Document (PAD) and the Project Paper[1].

The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to increase access to quality health services within participating PICs, with a focus on NCD management. The project comprises three components summarized below.

Component 1: Strengthen Regional Systems to Improve Access to Quality Care and Essential Inputs for Greater Resilience of Participating PICs’ Health Systems
This component invests in regional solutions to address shared challenges, such as limited specialized human resources, economies of scale for advanced medical services, and the need for standardized quality of care. Key activities include workforce development, digital health innovations, and expanding access to tertiary care through upgraded facilities and regional referral systems. Specific to Fiji is the construction of the new hospital which includes establishment of a radiotherapy and medical imaging center prioritizing the expansion of comprehensive cancer care services delivered in the Pacific.

Component 2: Modernize Fiji’s Health System, with Emphasis on Establishing Networks of Care (NOC) for Health Promotion, Early Detection and Management of Disease
This component is solely implemented by Fiji and focuses on strengthening Fiji’s health system by reorienting services toward a person-centered approach and establishing integrated NOC. It supports climate-resilient facility upgrades, digital health architecture, and gender-sensitive community outreach and wellness programs, with a strong emphasis on NCD management. Refer to the PAD annex 2 for a detailed description of Component 2.

Component 3: Strengthen Stewardship, Evidence-Based Decision Making and Regional Learning for Quality Health Systems in PICs
This component enhances evidence-based policy formulation, project implementation management, and regional knowledge exchange. It includes establishing Centers of Excellence for innovative service delivery, supporting Project Management Units (PMUs), and leveraging regional coordination and pooled procurement mechanisms.

Total project financing is US$239.5 million of which US$181.9 million is allocated to Fiji. Fiji financing comprises funding from the World Bank, Pandemic Fund, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the OPEC Fund and is spread across all three project components and sub-components. Refer to PAD Annex 2. Table 6 for financing details.

3. Project Implementation Arrangement

Governance, oversight and coordination: The Regional Steering Committee (RSC) serves as the apex governance body for PHIT, providing strategic advice, political oversight, and cross-country knowledge exchange. Composed of Ministers or their delegates from Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Tonga, the RSC meets annually, preferably alongside existing regional forums such as the Pacific Heads of Health meeting, to maximize regional spillovers and share lessons learned. PHIT participating countries, will rotate as chair of the RSC rotating chair.

SPC will serve as a Secretariat to the RSC and organize annual meetings and provide logistical and technical support. This aligns with the role SPC already plays in the convening of regional meetings. SPC is responsible for the secretarial role including organizing meetings, consolidating preparatory materials and facilitating technical and logistical support. SPC, through its Public Health Department (PHD), will play a central role in implementing PHIT’s regional activities under Components 1 and 3. SPC will leverage its mandate, technical expertise, and convening power to deliver regional public goods that individual countries cannot achieve alone.

Project management: Each PHIT Implementing Agency (IA) is responsible for establishing and maintaining a PMU to oversee project execution. These PMUs handle annual work planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, fiduciary oversight, and reporting. Fiji will establish a new PMU while Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Tonga will expand existing WB financed projects. Key PMU roles include project coordination & implementation, financial management, procurement, environmental and social safeguards, and monitoring and evaluation.

Fiji’s PMU will be formed through a contracted consulting company (firm) to ensure staffing reliability and report to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) which is the implementing agency for Fiji and work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) which is the technical agency for PHIT.

To support regional implementation, PHIT countries will engage UNICEF through a Standard Form of Agreement (SFA) to deliver defined regional public goods under Components 1 and 3. UNICEF will provide hands-on support, pooled procurement, and performance monitoring, contributing to annual RSC meetings and mid-term reviews.

4. Purpose and Task of Fiji’s Project Implementation Management Consulting Service

The Government of Fiji, through the PHIT project IA, will establish a new PMU no later than three months from project effectiveness. Considering the wide scope of the project, the IA will hire a firm to fulfil the function of the PMU. The option of hiring a firm rather than individuals to formulate a PMU comes with the advantage of increased reliability in recruiting and retaining skilled staff in key positions, which is a common challenge in the Pacific.

The firm will ensure that the key PMU capacities outlined in Section 5 are staffed throughout the lifetime of the project. The firm for project implementation management will be assessed under "QCBS - Quality and Cost Based Selection". The service cycle of the firm is planned to be 60 months from the effective date of contract signing, subject to annual performance review by the IA, and up to 6 months after project closure.

i) Purpose of Project Management Consulting Service: The firm will provide end-to-end management of a range of sub-projects under the PHIT project over its five-year lifecycle, including co-design of specifications, work planning, tendering and procurement, contracting, contract management, safeguards, implementation oversight, reporting, and acquittal.

Project activities currently being developed based on initial UNICEF assessments, will include development of a learning management system, telehealth network, and continued professional development program; accreditation and registry platforms; health information system enhancements; cross-border health data sharing protocols; and high-availability digital infrastructure.

The PMU will maintain close integration with the MOH and other ministries to support policy and regulatory reforms, manage a high volume of consultant and supplier contracts, and ensure effective oversight for safeguards and reporting. Additionally, the firm will be required to follow reasonable directions from the MOF and MOH, comply with government procurement standards and relevant regulations, uphold international best practices, and adhere to environmental and social standards as advised by the World Bank and relevant government agencies, including any specific directives issued from time to time.

The firm must finish all tasks as per the objectives and output outlined in the TOR. By engaging a reputable firm with extensive experience in project management and implementation, the project will adhere more effectively to the legal agreements between the World Bank and the Fiji Government. This will also ensure compliance with relevant policies and regulations, as well as enhance the quality and efficiency of work throughout all project stages, ultimately contributing to the achievement of project objectives.

ii) Specific Consulting Services: The firm will assist the MOF in carrying out the whole-process management and providing technical oversight for the implementation of the project in accordance with the financing agreement between the World Bank and the Fiji Government as well as the requirements of relevant policies and regulations. This includes but is not limited to: supporting planning and dialogue with the MOH, procurement and contract management, financial management, environmental and social standards management, implementation progress management and monitoring, and performance monitoring and evaluation.

The firm will be responsible for preparing progress reports, documenting management and translation, and institutional capacity building. This includes coordination of implementation support missions and communication between the MOF, MOH, World Bank and relevant stakeholders. The main service scope includes:

• Assist the MOF in the overall planning, dialogue with the MOH, organization and coordination of project activities, and establish the project implementation management framework, project management rules and regulations, operating procedures, document filing system and work plan to guide and promote project implementation.
• Provide a review of the design scheme, develop the procurement plan, bidding documents, technical documents, TORs, and other procurement process documents for the MOF; support the preparation of the bid evaluation reports; assist in the preparation of contract documents, provide guidance for contract management, and provide consulting services related to contract management such as contract review and implementation and updates of procurement activities on World Bank procurement portal.
• Assist and guide the MOF and the MOH to prepare financial plans, financial accounts, financial statements, handle withdrawal and disbursement of funds, and annual audits to meet the relevant requirements of the World Bank and Fiji in terms of financial management, accounting, disbursement and withdrawal.
• According to the policies and requirements of the World Bank and Fiji on environmental management and social management of the project, guide the MOF and the MOH to carry out relevant environmental management work, and implement social management work related to gender, ethnic minorities, involuntary resettlement and other aspects.
• Assist in monitoring the construction progress during the implementation of the project, participate in the regular on-site inspection, provide technical support for the construction plan and project supervision, to help the MOF and MOH effectively monitor the construction progress and quality of each subproject.
• According to the requirements of the World Bank, establish the project results framework monitoring system to monitor the differences between the mid-term and completion plan values of the project results indicators and the actual implementation results, evaluate the impact of these differences on the project performance, and propose suggestions and measures to reduce the differences. Evaluate the final results of the project through the analysis of monitoring indicators.
• Prepare various reports according to the requirements of financing agreement, including progress report, mid-term adjustment report, completion report, environmental monitoring report, social impact monitoring report, resettlement monitoring report, performance monitoring and evaluation report, etc. Prepare other reports required by the World Bank and the MOF.
• Follow all processes outlined in the Project Operations Manual (POM), ensure compliance with all relevant World Bank guidelines and standard documents; and suggest any necessary adjustments to the POM.
• Provide support and training for MOF and MOH to enhance the skills of staff involved in project execution and in capacity building, including training to meet the requirements of the World Bank on procurement, payment, implementation progress quality, safeguard, and financial management; provide consulting services related to institutional capacity building. Assist MOF, MOH and other project stakeholders to carry out domestic and international visits and organize seminars.
• Assist communication between the MOF and the World Bank; during the World Bank implementation support and technical missions, provide support for the MOF and the MOH in meeting preparation, material preparation, on-site visits, and post-mission follow up actions etc.
• Provide other agreed consulting services for the MOF and the MOH.

5. Qualification Requirements of the consulting company (firm) and Composition of Consulting Experts

i) Qualification requirements for the firm: The firm shall have good records and reputation and successfully implemented at least three project management consulting service contracts for externally financed projects with similar or larger scale in the past 10 years (2014-2024). Previously contracted project management of projects of at least US$10 million, and in the Pacific is desirable.

The firm and its PMU staff are expected to be based full-time in Fiji, prioritizing the recruitment of local personnel for key roles. While international advisors with appropriate expertise and prior local work experience may be considered to supplement these positions, the unique and specialized expertise required for the PMU is acknowledged. Therefore, proposals should clearly outline a transparent, locally focused recruitment plan to fill key expert roles within 60 days of contract execution, provided the core team is already in place. The proposal should also include a brief high-level risk assessment with proposed mitigation measures.

ii) The firm will host the following capacities, aligned to the project design, legal agreement and covenants.

• Project Management: For overall leadership and coordination for project implementation.
• Financial Management: To ensure compliance with World Bank and Government of Fiji’s fiduciary requirements, provide comprehensive financial management support for project implementation, including planning and budgeting, compliance and internal controls, funds management, financial reporting and audits, donor engagement, and training.
• Procurement: Ensures adherence to World Bank procurement guidelines and national regulations and supports timely delivery of project inputs.
• Environment and Social Safeguards: Ensures compliance with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and prepares safeguard reports.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Tracks progress against indicators, compiles data for reporting, and supports learning and adaptive management.
• Technical Support: Review and supervision of the health service delivery workstream.
• Infrastructure Management: Review and supervision of the infrastructure workstream.

6. Report Requirements

The consulting service shall be started immediately after signing the consulting service contract between the firm and the MOF, approved by the World Bank. The firm shall be responsible for preparing, including but not limited to, the following reports to be submitted to the World Bank, and submitting the reports according to the schedule specified in Table 2. All reports shall be submitted to the MOF in hard copy and electronic versions. The number of hard copy reports will be determined by the MOF.

Table 2: Required Report and Submission Time

7. Support Provided by MOF and MOH for Development of the Consulting Services

• The designated project management personnel and technical personnel shall cooperate with the firm.
• Relevant information and data required by the firm for the task.
• Carry out the coordination work required for investigation and data collection.

8. Expense Budget

The budget for the project implementation support should include salary, travel, per diem and other reimbursable expenses, as well as indirect taxes.

[1] https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099081925133531738; https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099541211272533472

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