Business Plans Evaluation Specialists for Employment Support Project

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population toward the cost of the Employment Support Project Position/Title: Business Plans Evaluation Specialists Project/Office: Employment Support Project (ESP) under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population Project Implementation Unit: The PIU will be responsible for the procurement, financial management, social and environmental requirements, as well as monitoring and regularly reporting on the implementation of the three components, in compliance with World Bank fiduciary and reporting requirements.

Responsibilities and tasks: The followings are the responsibilities of Business Plans Evaluators: To ensure timely and professional evaluation of the business plans, the project will engage two evaluation specialists, who will evaluate in total 2300 business plans for the expansion of micro businesses (380 business plans as second round of matching grant under ESP 1 and 2 000 as matching grant under ESP AF, with account of appr.

1,150 business plans for each specialist throughout the contract duration till December 30, 2029). The number of business plans will be determined after each round of the announcement of competition depending on submitted number of beneficiaries’ applications evaluated as eligible. It can be adjusted subject to increased eligible applications for the grant.

Evaluation specialists are expected to provide their professional assessments of Business Plans in accordance with the criteria outlined below. The principal evaluation criteria comprise: 1) Compatibility; 2) Efficiency; 3) Result orientation; 4) Sustainability; 5) Risks management; and 6) Socio-economic benefit.

In doing so, the Evaluation Specialists shall understand that the business plans are prepared by very diverse groups of people, from those having some previous experience in entrepreneurship to those without any relevant capacity, and in some cases no literacy. Some of the applicants may lack math skills and literacy.

This shall not be a reason for rejection of the business plan if it is correctly prepared and the person is supported by family or hired personnel to deal with accounting and reporting. Alternatively, the applicant may require mentoring or advisory support relevant for his/her business. This is not limited by administrative support but may also include business-specific consultancy.

The Evaluation Specialists may identify such needs and may recommend inclusion of this support into the business plan. The Evaluation Specialists shall liaise with the PIU experts to reassure that the need for a specific consultancy for a person exists. The Evaluation Specialists shall prepare reports on activities carried out during the assignment.

Minimum requirements to become an eligible candidate for the position of Business Plans Evaluators: Resident of Azerbaijan, fluency in written and spoken Azerbaijani language is mandatory, English will be an asset; University degree in finance/economics/business administration or other relevant field; Professional experience in related field, preferably providing of business consultancy to entrepreneurs, development of business plans; or own entrepreneurship experience; Experience as independent assessor/evaluator in at least 2 (two) projects; Working experience with public agencies and/or international institutions regarding implementation and/or evaluation of grant programs will be an asset; Good knowledge of relevant regulations, institutional arrangements and business processes in Azerbaijan; Excellent facilitation, training, research and analytical skills are required; Excellent skills in coordination, reporting and extracting necessary and relevant information are a must; Outstanding time-management, organizational and interpersonal skills; Strong communication and presentation skills The commencement of assignment is early January 2026, and is expected to continue till December 30, 2029 subject to satisfactory performance.

The first 3 months will be considered as probation period. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant selection method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations.

Applicants should send CV (with diplomas and certificates) to the following email address: E-mail: office@esp.az Application deadline: December 26, 2025 Note: * Please mention the Project and name of vacancy in the mail subject * Only short-listed candidates will be contacted Agency: Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Notice type: Request for Expression of Interest Status: Published Value: 77000.0 USD