Tonga Payment Expert (6 years)

Request for Expressions of Interest (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES) Payments System Advisor to the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) Project Name Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project

Project Number P502591

Website

https: //projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P502591

Activity and Reference Number (STEP) Payments System Advisor (Tonga) - FJ-PIFS-468930-CS-INDV

Implementing Agency Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS)

Country FIJI

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 September 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 written form by email no later than:

Thursday, 08 October 2026 at 17: 00 hours (Fiji Time)

Address for Enquiries and Submission of EOIs: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

Attn: [contact details removed]

Private Mail Bag, Suva PO Box 856, Suva, Fiji.

Tel: [contact details removed]

E-mail: [contact details removed]

TERMS OF REFERENCE

CONSULTING SERVICES - INDIVIDUAL SELECTION Payments System Advisor to the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT)

Project Overview Project Name Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project

Indicative Activity / Budget Line

Component 2: Enabling Environment and Regulatory Harmonization - Payment System Oversight and Regulation - Oversight of National Payment Systems

STEP Activity Reference # FJ-PIFS-468930-CS-INDV

Position Title Payments System Advisor to the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT)

Location of role Nuku'alofa, Tonga, working directly with NRBT, with agreed remote inputs and coordination with the PIFS PMU in Suva. The planning assumption is 50-60 percent of input days in Tonga.

Primary Counterpart National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT)

Duration of Assignment Time-based individual consultant contract for up to twelve (12) months, with up to 240 working days of input. Extension may be considered subject to project needs, budget availability, consultant performance, procurement plan arrangements, and applicable World Bank no-objection requirements. Payments will be based on approved timesheets and eligible reimbursable expenses.

Implementing Agency Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS)

https: //forumsec.org/

Agency Description The Pacific Islands Forum was established to bring together the region to address pressing issues and challenges, and foster collaboration and cooperation in the pursuit of shared goals. PIF’s mandate is to strengthen cooperation and integration in the Pacific region through the pooling of regional governance, resources and the alignment of policies, furthering Forum members shared goals of economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and security. Founded in 1971, it comprises 18 members: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The PIFS is a vital platform for Leaders to convene, engage in discussions and agree on policies that will benefit the people of the region.

Selection Method Competitive Selection of an independent individual consultant, subject to procurement plan adjustment, justification, conflict-of-interest review, and World Bank no-objection requirements where applicable.

Contract Type and Level of Effort Time-based individual consultant contract, planned for a full-time level of input. Payments based on approved timesheets and eligible reimbursable expenses. In-country presence requirement is specified separately above.

Participating Countries

The Pacific Island Countries participating in the regional project comprise Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. This assignment provides country-specific support to the Republic of the Marshall Islands under the regional project.

Country Supported Tonga. The assignment provides country-specific support to NRBT under the regional CBR Project.

Overall Project Objective The Project Development Objective is to enable continuous access to correspondent banking services in the participating Pacific Island Countries.

Project Length August 2024 to September 30, 2030

Project Background The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has received financing from the World Bank Group's International Development Association (IDA) for the Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project. The project supports participating Pacific Island Countries to maintain continuous access to correspondent banking services and address payment, regulatory and financial integrity constraints that contribute to de-risking in the region. Component 2,