Land Policy and Legislative Planning Expert

About the assignment

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MoLNR), through the World Bank-financed Vanuatu Affordable and Resilient Settlements (VARS) Project, invites expressions of interest from qualified individual consultants for the position of Land Policy and Legislative Planning Expert, based at the PMU, MoLNR, Port Vila.

MoLNR has established a Policy and Planning Masterplan and Master Working Register identifying approximately 20 priority policies. The Expert will provide targeted technical support to advance a manageable selection of these existing priorities through policy development, consultation, formal decision processes and implementation preparation. The assignment is not a new comprehensive policy-gap assessment or reprioritisation exercise. Policy choices and statutory decisions remain with authorised Government officials.

Expected results

• A Ministry-approved selection of priority policies with deliverable milestones and accountable owners
• Substantive policy papers, options and consultation records for those priorities
• Decision-ready submissions and, where authorised, instruction-support materials for the State Law Office
• Documented progress through relevant Ministry and Government decision processes
• Implementation and handover arrangements for approved measures

Qualifications and experience

• Relevant qualifications in Law, Land Administration, Public Policy, Urban and Regional Planning, Public Administration, or a related discipline
• Demonstrated knowledge of Vanuatu's land administration framework, including customary and formal land arrangements
• Substantial senior-level professional experience in land-sector policy, administration, legislative planning, or institutional reform in Vanuatu
• Proven experience preparing policy documents, legislative planning materials, technical reports and recommendations for Government decision-making
• Experience working with Government ministries, the State Law Office (SLO) and relevant line agencies
• Experience in land administration, settlement planning, land registration or institutional reform is desirable

Duration

Up to 100 professional days: 20 initial days, 40 days in 2027 and 40 days in 2028, subject to approved work plans and authorisations.

Selection method

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection (INDV) method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Seventh Edition, September 2025). The attention of interested consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.15, 3.16 and 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations, which set out the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest.

How to apply

Expressions of interest and CV must be delivered by hand, mail or email on or before 10 November 2026 at 2:00 pm Vanuatu time to:

Vanuatu Affordable and Resilient Settlements Project (VARS)
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MoLNR)
Socapo Area, Port Vila

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Further information, including the detailed Terms of Reference, is available from the Ministry in person or by email during office hours, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.