8860 Ministry of Finance REOI 13 - 27 Nov 2025

The Government of the Kingdom of Tonga (GoT)

Ministry of Finance (MOF), Central Services Unit (CSU)

Accelerating Trade Facilitation In The Pacific(ATFP) Project (P508537)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Assignment: Procurement Officer (PO)
Reference: TO-MRC-514083-CS-INDV
Client/Employer: Ministry of Revenue & Customs, Ministry of Infrastructure and Ports Authority
Issue Date of REOI : 5^th November 2025, 04:30 PM (Tongan Time)
Submission Deadline 19^th November 2025, 04:30 PM (Tongan Time)

The Government of the Kingdom of Tonga (GoT), through the Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Infrastructure and Ports Authority successfully negotiated with the World Bank for funding under the 20^th round of International Development Association (IDA) for a project aimed at developing the Tonga Trade Facilitation and Maritime Transport sector. The total financing is around US$ 9.5 M equivalent. Broad objectives of the ATFProject is to reduce the time and cost required for cross-border trade in Participating Pacific Island Countries (PPICs).

ATFP is a regional project that focuses on modernizing customs and border management systems, strengthening port operations, and enhancing regional coordination to improve trade efficiency, lower costs for households and businesses, and build resilience in times of crisis.

Project activities include upgrading customs software (ASYCUDA), developing a National Single Window system, enhancing the trade portal and capacity for importers and exporters, and providing new cargo inspection equipment. Investments will also support improved port infrastructure and operations in Nuku’alofa and Vava’u, with options for further studies into fisheries terminal upgrades. These activities are designed to increase efficiency, strengthen resilience, and contribute to Tonga’s economic competitiveness and growth.

A fully staffed and functional PMU will be established that will include a Project Manager, Procurement Officer, Environmental and Social (E&S) Officer and Finance Management Officer initially and other consultants later as needed.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include the recruitment of the Procurement Officer. As a member of the PMU, the Procurement Officer (PO) is required to proactively lead the procurement workstream with all relevant team members and stakeholders so that the procurement arrangements successfully deliver Value for Money (VfM) towards achieving the different Project Development Objectives. Any other objective under the scope of project.

Procurement Plan and PPSD sets the scope of this assignment. PO is responsible to carry out all planned procurement activities timely, effectively and efficiently towards achieving KPIs and procurement efficiencies. Procurement Plan is an organic document i.e. subject to change depending on the iterative nature of project work. PO scope of work includes working with PM and all PMU workstreams staff towards achieving VfM, PDOs and other related tasks including capacity building.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include the recruitment of the Procurement Officer, among others. The overall responsibility of the officer is to:

Ensure all activities are consistent with the Legal Agreements, Workplan/budget, approved Procurement Plan, Project Operations Manual, Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and M&E frameworks as applicable.

Collaborate with the World Bank, MOF & CSU, IAs and other agencies as and when necessary, on the development, updating and revision of Project documents including the project workplan & budgeting, Procurement Plan, update PPSD, Project Operational Manual, Work Schedules, Guidelines and oth`er relevant Project documents including (but not limited to):

To achieve the above objective the PO is required to undertake any reasonable task to ensure the effective implementation of the project’s activities, including the following tasks:

• To update Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD) as defined in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing (IPF) Borrowers. Attention is to be given to the topic “Market Research”. The PO is required to ensure that the market analysis develops and an appropriate understanding of the market sectors that have been identified as having the potential to bid for the goods, services, and/or works required for contracts within the Projects.
• To update, as needed, the Procurement Plan. The plan is to be updated by utilizing the World Bank’s system STEP - Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement. Among other aspects, the PO shall raise with the Project Manager credible scheduling of all procurement activities.
• To prepare all the necessary and appropriate documentation for goods, non-consulting services and consulting services. This includes, among others, Procurement Notices, Procurement Documents and Evaluation Reports and requests for clearance/approvals as needed (e.g. from government procurement office, Contracts’ Committee, and from the World Bank).
• To monitor the Procurement Performance. Based on the Procurement Plans data in STEP, the PO is required to establish the number and amount of procurement activities to be contracted (in excel files) and to monitor progress monthly. Efficient procurement implementation is paramount, so the PO is required to actively and pragmatically address any delays.
• Support FMO in keeping the project Fixed Asset Register up to date.
• Other duties applicable to the Procurement Officer as delegated by the PM.

This is a full-time position (may be extended based on needs and performance of the consultant)

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtain from jawadtcsu [at] gmail [dot] com or ataumoepeau [at] finance [dot] gov [dot] to

The Ministry of Finance 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 with description of qualifications, experience in similar assignments, similar conditions, etc.).

The criteria for selecting the Consultant are:

EXPERTISE REQUIREMENTS

Academic Background and Relevant Experience

Minimum Requirements

1. Minimum Education: BA/BS (BA/BS with a major in a relevant discipline (e.g. Procurement, Supply Chain, Logistics, Management, Public/Business Administration, Engineering, Commerce, Law).
2. Minimum Years of Relevant Experience: 3 years or 7 years’ experience in lieu of degree.
3. Experience with MS Office and industry relevant workstream softwares
4. Fluency in English and demonstrated ability to be able to write succinct reports which clearly articulate identified issues.

Desirable Requirements

1. Previous experience in donor funded projects is an advantage
2. Demonstrated ability to work well with diverse team and various levels of government
3. A knowledge of the relevant Tonga Legislation would be an advantage.

Qualification/Education (20 marks):

1. Degrees related to Procurement, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business, Administration,
   Accounting and related disciplines, and Professional body memberships
   Bachelor’s degree:10 points;
   Master’s degree: 15 points
   Membership of a professional bodies: 5 points
2. Experience: 60 points (Experience with the WB, donors, public funded projects in related fields)
   3+ to 5+ years experience (10 points)
   5+ to 10 years experience (20 points)
   10+ to 15 years experience (30 points)
   Demonstrated working experience in Tonga (5 points)
   Demonstrated working experience in the regional or similar environment (10 points)
   Demonstrated to completion of all World Bank Training Modules online (Procurement, Contract Management, Orientation Module) (15 points)

Knowledge and Skills: 20 points

1. Member of a Procurement Professional Body like CIPS professional designation or equivalent. (5 points)
2. Completion of the World Bank or any professional designation or training modules related to FM, CM & Proc., (10 points)
3. Any other similar and relevant areas of expertise. (5 points)

Please note that an interview and test may be administered if required to top ranked candidate(s).

The remuneration package for this position is attractive and will be determined based on qualifications, experience, and previous remunerations for similar assignments.

Further information can be obtained at the email above during office hours 08:30 to 16:30 hours weekdays.

 A firm is eligible to nominate an individual – however, note that only the experience and qualifications of the nominated individual shall be used in the selection process, and that (their) corporate experience shall not be considered. The firm, if proposing an individual, must specify whether the contract would be signed with the firm or the proposed individual.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, dated Feb.2025 (“the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the above cited Procurement Regulations.

INSTRUCTION FOR SUBMISSION:

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person, or by e-mail no later than 04:30pm (Tongan Time) of Wednesday, 19th November 2025.

Attention to:
Mr. Michael Cokanasiga
Chief Executive Officer
Ministry of Revenue and Customs
Nuku’alofa Tonga Islands,

Address for Hard -copy submissions: CSU Office, 1^st Floor Tungi – Colonnade at Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

E-mail for electronic Submission: jawadtcsu [at] gmail [dot] com / ataumoepeau [at] finance [dot] gov [dot] to and stokai [at] finance [dot] gov [dot] to and copy to: sfaletau [at] finance [dot] gov [dot] to

Documents that MUST be submitted:

1. Cover Letter (addressed to the CEO, Ministry of Finance.)
2. Curriculum Vitae of the Applicant (must include at least two referees.)
3. Supporting Documents: Transcripts, certificates, supporting letter from referees, and any other document that may be of support to your application.

Please limit your CV to only 3-5 pages addressing each of the Selection Criteria with exact details.

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Matangi Tonga Online ref. #8860 MOF, 13 - 27 Nov 2025