Consultant to Support the Development of Fiji Bamboo Construction Code

Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

Terms of Reference

The Fiji Bamboo to Adapt to and Mitigate Climate Change project aims to support the sustainable and inclusive production and use of bamboo as a resilient, sustainable and cost-effective construction material in Fiji that can be used to help increase the supply of affordable, resilient and accessible buildings in Fiji while also economically empowering women and other marginalized groups in Fiji, who are expected to play a key role in both the sustainable production and use of bamboo as a construction material. The project is being implemented by Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) with a coalition of Government and Non-Government partners both locally and internationally and is supported financially by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ MFAT) and Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Phase 2 of the Pacific regional Low Emissions and Climate Resilient Development (LECRD) program.

The project aims to create an evidence-based and an enabling environment (the local capacity and policy environment) that will support and encourage:

• the use of locally grown bamboo as a cost-effective, sustainable and resilient construction material;
• the adoption of environmentally sustainable (or even regenerative), socially inclusive and economically viable methods for cultivating, harvesting, treating and processing bamboo (for use in construction); and
• women and other marginalized groups to seize the economic opportunities that are expected to arise from the development of a new green and sustainable bamboo industry in Fiji.

Bamboo has gained recognition as an eco-friendly and cost-effective construction material, particularly in regions with abundant bamboo resources like Fiji. The uptake of Bamboo for construction is in the interest of public and private sector to enhance climate adaptation and resilience in Fiji. One innovative approach is Cement Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT), pioneered by Base Bahay Foundation in the Philippines. While this technology is proven in the Philippines and elsewhere, lack of regulatory guidelines on the construction of CBFT houses in Fiji impede its construction and piloting.

The Global Green Growth Institute, in collaboration with the Base Bahay Foundation (BBF) and the Government of Fiji, is pursuing the development of a Fiji Bamboo Construction Code that can be incorporated into, or referenced by, the Fiji National Building Code (FNBC).

The Fiji Bamboo Construction Code will support climate-resilient, low-emission, and locally appropriate construction, while ensuring full compliance with Fiji’s regulatory framework, including the Fiji Wind Code and associated standards.

The objective of this consultancy is to provide support to the Base Bahay Foundation in developing a technically robust, FNBC-aligned Fiji Bamboo Construction Code that:

• Complies with the Fiji Wind Code, including FS 1170.2 (Structural Design Actions – Wind Actions) and FS 4055 (Wind Loads for Housing);
• Is suitable for formal regulatory adoption or reference under the FNBC; and
• Is appropriate for Fiji’s climatic, geographic, and construction context.

The consultant will support the Base Bahay Foundation, which will lead the development of the Fiji Bamboo Construction Code. The consultant’s role will focus on ensuring that the draft code framework prepared by Base Bahay is technically sound, context-appropriate, and aligned with Fiji’s regulatory requirements. Specifically, the consultant will:

• Review existing Fiji construction provisions, regulations, and guidance relevant to the use of bamboo and other green construction materials
• Work in close collaboration with the Base Bahay Foundation to technically refine and contextualize the draft Fiji Bamboo Construction Code prepared by Base Bahay, ensuring alignment with existing national codes and suitability for regulatory adoption. This will include technical review, adaptation, and validation of the draft Fiji Bamboo Construction Code.
• Support stakeholder engagement in Fiji by providing technical input during consultations, helping to socialize the draft code and incorporate feedback to ensure the final document is inclusive, well-informed, and fit for purpose

The consultant will support the development of the Fiji Bamboo Building Code under the lead of Base Bahay Foundation. Base Bahay will lead he development and the consultant will carry out the following works:

Scope of Work

1. Alignment with the Fiji National Building Code

The consultant shall:

• Review the structure, intent, and compliance pathways of the FNBC;
• Identify relevant FNBC sections applicable to bamboo construction.
• Map proposed bamboo provisions against FNBC clauses.

• Compliance with Fiji Wind Code and Structural Actions

• All structural guidance must comply with the Fiji Wind Code, including FS 1170.2 and FS 4055, and address wind, seismic, dead, and live loads.

2. Technical Development

The consultant shall develop engineering provisions covering:

• Bamboo material properties, treatment, and durability;
• Structural systems, connections, and foundations;

• Fire, serviceability, and life-safety considerations.
• Earthquake and seismic activity considerations, recognizing that Fiji sits within the Pacific Ring of Fire, including:
  • Seismic design principles consistent with the FNBC;
  • Load combinations incorporating seismic actions;
  • Ductility, redundancy, and robustness of bamboo structural systems;
  • Detailing and connection requirements to enhance seismic performance.

3. Regulatory Integration

The code shall function as either:

• A referenced technical standard under the FNBC; or
• An alternative solution framework consistent with FNBC performance requirements.

4. Stakeholder Engagement

The consultant will work closely with GGGI, Base Bahay Foundation, Fiji Government agencies and other parties key to Fiji’s construction sector. The consultant will also lead and participate in validation workshops.

The consultant will deliver the following:

Reporting Arrangements 

The consultant’s progress will be monitored primarily through periodic review meetings for planning, and short meetings for prioritizing activities, in consensus with Ministry of Public Works and GGGI. The review meetings will include subjects such as the overview of the contractual objectives, the development of activities, detailed information milestones, actual achievements made against the timeline initially set, and any other relevant progress details.

Supervision shall be provided by the Ministry of Public Works with the support of the GGGI Fiji office, to ensure the timely and quality delivery of outputs outlined in the contractual objective. The final review and approval of activities and deliverables under the contract is to be made by the Project Steering Committee (PSC) of the Fiji Bamboo project in collaboration with the GGGI project team.

The consultant will report to the Project Manager on a bi-weekly basis, providing updates on progress and addressing any challenges.

Reporting Requirements:

1. The Consultant shall submit the Final Report which should reflect the outcome of all activities prepared by the consultant.
2. All outputs must be in English, in accordance with GGGI’s formatting requirements and editable format that is readable by a Microsoft Office application. Where relevant, the consultant shall also provide sets of raw data, research materials, and meeting notes related to the contractual objective. The consultant will also provide all information necessary to meet the reporting requirements GGGI’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) plan which will include the provision of disaggregated data and information about stakeholders consulted with.
3. The final report must be approved by the GGGI with the agreement of the PSC. The Consultant shall consider the comments and necessary revisions proposed. Within 14 days from the receipt of the comments or modification proposal from the GGGI, the Consultant shall prepare and submit the final versions of the report.

The consultant shall have the following educational qualifications, experience and competencies:

Mandatory:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Structural Engineering; mechanical engineering, architecture, or a related field with
• Minimum of 5 years (8 years preferred) of experience in (sustainable) construction, structural planning and design
• Professional or Chartered Engineer-level
• Demonstrated experience with FS 1170.2 and/or FS 4055 or equivalent cyclone-region standards;
• Experience with building codes and regulatory frameworks in Fiji

Highly Desirable:

• Experience with bamboo or alternative materials;
• Experience in SIDS or tropical cyclone-prone regions;
• Prior engagement with regulators and standards bodies
• Understanding and knowledge of Australia/NZ building standards
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Exceptional analytical and quantitative skills; capacity for synthesis, presentation, and communication; and strategic thinking skills.
• Organized with excellent time management and attention to detail.
• Strong and mature interpersonal skills, problem solver, adapt with optimism to unforeseeable change and proven ability to work with teams.
• Reporting skills are a must
• Fluency in English mandatory and local language is desired.

Interested consultants shall submit following documentation:  

• Cover letter and CV

Date to close is Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Application, Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm may not be engaged for the individual consultant assignment.

Duty Station: Suva

Contract Duration: March 15- June 30

Consultant Level: Level 4

Total Fees: USD 19000

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.