Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project ( - Тендер #71140369)

Request for Expressions of Interest

(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES)

Communication Officer

The Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and seven pacific island member countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu) have received financing (grants and credits) from the World Bank (WB) Group’s International Development Association (IDA) towards the “Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project” (the Project) and will apply part of these proceeds to the contract below for Consulting Services.

The PIFS is seeking a qualified and experienced national Communications Officer to provide support to PMU and participating countries by developing high-quality knowledge and information products, including the translation of research and highly technical outputs into clear, concise, and visually engaging formats.

The Officer will work closely with the Project Coordinator and the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist to ensure that project interventions and impacts are communicated clearly to all stakeholder types. This is a full-time work assignment at PMU housed within the PIF office in Suva. In line with the project timeline, the engagement will initially be for two (2) years with an extension of a further two years (based on consultant’s performance evaluations and project needs).

Under the overall direction of the Project Coordinator, the Communication Officer shall undertake the following activities:

Communications Strategy

• Develop and implement the project communications strategy.
• Develop communication materials, including press releases, brochures, presentations and social media content.

Media Relations

• Establish and maintain relationships with local, national, regional and international media.
• Disseminate project information and achievements through press releases, media advisories and targeted media outreach.
• Facilitate media coverage of project events and activities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Missions

• Develop and implement stakeholder engagement plans, including communication strategies for different stakeholder groups.
• Maintain master list of all project stakeholders (internal and external).
• Conduct missions to collect stakeholder and beneficiary feedback to inform knowledge and communication products.
• Liaise with PMU country coordinators to identify and document project progress and challenges.

Knowledge, Communication and Information Products

• Support the development and production of a wide range of knowledge, communication, and information products, including research summaries, results reports, policy briefs, press releases, blog posts, case studies, talking points, speeches, social media content, brochures, flyers, news releases, mission briefs, project and country profiles, and presentations.

Events Management

• Support the organization and promotion of project events and workshops such as webinars, forums, meetings, consultations etc. This includes the development of communication materials for events including invitations, agenda, presentations, panel moderation, event facilitation, speaking and briefing notes as well as panel moderation and event facilitation.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Support the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist by translating project data into knowledge and information products for various audiences.
• Report on communication activities to the PMU.

Branding and Visibility

• Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all communication materials.
• Promote the project’s visibility through various communications channels

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Evaluated Criteria:

PIFS, on behalf of the participating member countries, now invites eligible individuals (“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 (attach curriculum vitae and a cover letter with description of experience in similar assignments, similar conditions, etc.).

Firms’ staff may express interest through the employing firm for the assignment and, under such situation, only the experience and qualifications of individuals shall be considered in the selection process.

The attention of interested Consultants (including firms) is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, dated February 2025 (“the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the individual consultant selection method set out in the World Bank Consultant Guidelines

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is attached below and provides details of the scope of the services required along with specific deliverables expected. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 09.00 to 17.00 hrs Fiji Time.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) no later than Monday, March 23, 2026, 17:00 hrs (Fiji Time)

Address for Enquiries and Submission of EOIs

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

Attn: Ajay Jagannath, Project Coordinator

Private Mail Bag, Suva

PO Box 856, Suva, Fiji.

Tel: 679-3312600

E-mail: cbrprocurement@forumsec.org

Terms of Reference

Communications Officer

Project Background

The objective of the CBR project is to ensure continuous access to correspondent banking services for participating Pacific Island Countries (PICs) while improving the enabling environment and fostering regulatory harmonization. The project is implemented by a Project Management Unit (PMU) with financial and technical support from the World Bank. The project was approved by the World Bank in August 2024, declared effective April 2025, and has a 6-year implementation period, with project ending 2030.

The Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and eight pacific island member countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu) have received financing (grants and credits) from the World Bank (WB) Group’s International Development Association (IDA) towards the “Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project” (the Project) and will apply part of these proceeds to the contract below for Consulting Services. The PIFS is the Implementing Agency for the regional project.

The Communications Officer will support the PMU and participating countries by developing high-quality knowledge and information products, including the translation of research and highly technical outputs into clear, concise, and visually engaging formats. The knowledge and information products will be used to inform policy, advocacy and awareness as well as strategic engagement. The Officer will work closely with the Project Coordinator and the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist to ensure that project interventions and impacts are communicated clearly to all stakeholder types.

PIFS now invites eligible individual consultants (“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 shortlisting criteria are:

Objective of the Position

The Communications Officer will support the Project Management Unit (PMU) will be responsible for developing and implementing the communications and visibility of the project. The strategy should enhance visibility, promote stakeholder engagement and facilitate knowledge management.

Scope of Services

The Officer will be required to:

Communications Strategy

• Develop and implement the project communications strategy.
• Develop communication materials, including press releases, brochures, presentations and social media content.

Media Relations

• Establish and maintain relationships with local, national, regional and international media.
• Disseminate project information and achievements through press releases, media advisories and targeted media outreach.
• Facilitate media coverage of project events and activities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Missions

• Develop and implement stakeholder engagement plans, including communication strategies for different stakeholder groups.
• Maintain master list of all project stakeholders (internal and external).
• Conduct missions to collect stakeholder and beneficiary feedback to inform knowledge and communication products.
• Liaise with PMU country coordinators to identify and document project progress and challenges.

Knowledge, Communication and Information Products

• Support the development and production of a wide range of knowledge, communication, and information products, including research summaries, results reports, policy briefs, press releases, blog posts, case studies, talking points, speeches, social media content, brochures, flyers, news releases, mission briefs, project and country profiles, and presentations.

Events Management

• Support the organization and promotion of project events and workshops such as webinars, forums, meetings, consultations etc. This includes the development of communication materials for events including invitations, agenda, presentations, panel moderation, event facilitation, speaking and briefing notes as well as panel moderation and event facilitation.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Support the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist by translating project data into knowledge and information products for various audiences.
• Report on communication activities to the PMU.

Branding and Visibility

• Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all communication materials.
• Promote the project’s visibility through various communications channels

Reporting Obligations

The Communications Officer will report to the PMU Project Coordinator and work in close collaboration with the M&E Specialist, the broader PMU Team and the PIFS Communications team.

Qualifications and Experience

Mandatory

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, media, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience supporting development initiatives for donor funded programmes in the Pacific.

Desirable

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing communications and project visibility strategies for donor funded projects in the Pacific
• Demonstrated experience in media relations and events management
• experience with data visualisation or document design tools (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint, Canva)
• Familiarity with financial sector development, cross-border payments, or financial inclusion
• Experience working with regional organisations, multilateral development banks, or donor-funded programmes/projects in the Pacific.

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Institutional Arrangements

The Officer will be provided with office space, computer, internet, and communications facilities by the PIFS. Some travel to participating countries may be required. The Officer is expected to observe confidentiality requirements and adhere to all PIFS policies, including its conflict of interest and anti-corruption guidelines.

Selection Process

Selection will follow the World Bank Procurement Regulations for Individual Consultants. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo an interview and/or written test. At least two professional references must be provided.

PIFS is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Applications from women, persons with disabilities, and people from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged.