Urban Planning Specialist — RMI Urban Resilience Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST INTERNATIONAL INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) RMI Urban Resilience Project (P177124) Grant No.: IDA-E6610 Assignment Title: Urban Planning Specialist Reference no.: MH-MWIU-556458-CS-INDV 1. The Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands has applied for financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the RMI Urban Resilience Project (RMIURP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. 2. The purpose of this assignment is twofold. First, to provide dedicated, in-country technical and institutional support to the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs (MoCIA) to establish and operationalize the Planning Division as the Government’s central planning authority under the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Act, currently being revised. This includes translating the new legislative framework into planning practice by developing operational procedures, guidance tools, and building the technical and organizational capacity required to implement risk-informed, inclusive, and coordinated planning and zoning functions at the national and local levels. Second, to provide technical and urban planning support to RMIURP, particularly under Components 1 and 3, which have been scaled up through the Additional Financing (AF) to the project. 3. In this capacity, the Specialist will support the preparation and technical review of resilient village plans and master planning activities, contribute to the development of climate-informed development control and planning guidance, carry out technical reviews and urban design advice on public space designs under Component 3, and advise on alignment between planning system reforms and project-supported investments. Through this assignment, the Urban Planning Specialist will help strengthen the coherence between institutional planning reforms and infrastructure investments financed under RMIURP, ensuring that climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable land-use management principles are systematically embedded in the national planning system and reflected in practical planning instruments and development decisions. The complete scope of services, including the consultant qualification requirements, is indicated in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment , which can be obtained from the contact details provided below. 4. This consulting assignment is a full-time position to be located in Majuro, RMI, and is expected to start by early September 2026. The duration will be 24 months with a possibility of extension based on performance. 5. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) within the Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure and Utilities (MPWIU) now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. 6. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (curriculum vitae with description of experience in similar assignments, similar conditions, etc., including a Cover Letter of no more than four (4) pages addressing the mandatory and desirable experience and qualification requirements from the TOR). (a) Cover letter addressing the minimum requirements and desirable qualification requirements listed below and in the TOR; and (b) Detailed CV with description of experience, including any similar assignments. (c) Indicate a minimum of 2 referees Scoring Criteria: Criterion Maximum Points General Qualifications (education, training, and experience) 30 Adequacy for the assignment (experience in the sector, similar assignments, technical capacity building, and providing technical advice). 50 Experience in the Pacific Region, atoll Nations and Island countries (local cultures, administrative systems, government structures, etc.) 20 Minimum experience and capability: Advanced university degree (at least Master's level) in urban management, urban planning/design, land use planning, architecture, engineering, or a related discipline; Seven (7) years of relevant experience in risk-informed urban design or urban planning; Demonstrated experience supporting institutional strengthening, policy implementation, or regulatory reform in the urban and/or land-use planning sector; Prior experience working in the Pacific Islands and/or other Small Island Developing States; and Fluent in written and spoken English. Skills and competencies: Software and computer skills: competent with the use of email and Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), and relevant urban design and graphic design programs would be desirable; Communication skills: excellent professional oral and written communication skills in English, including via email, audio/video conference, and face-to-face with World Bank and Government officials; Organizational skills: ability to work independently and proactively to manage own workload; Policymaking skills: demonstrated experience and skills in developing urban planning and development policies, such as for land use, housing, climate change, and urban resilience issues; and Analytical skills: strong understanding of urban planning in a developing-country context and of disaster risk management and/or climate change adaptation (in Pacific Island Countries would be desirable). 7. The attention of interested Consultants ( Individuals ) is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Seventh Edition, September 2025 (“the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 8. Further information can be obtained from the email address below. 9. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) must be submitted in writing to the email address provided below, no later than 5:00 PM (Majuro Time) on July 6, 2026 Jegasothy Sivananthan Project Manager, RMIURP Phone: (692) 625-8913, (692) 458-7944 Email: jegasothy1974@gmail.com (with copy to: wmyazoe@gmail.com ,and andrike.sonyia@gmail.com )