Innovative Social Protection System for Vulnerable Populations Project

The project beneficiaries are: (a) beneficiaries of social services provided in the project-financed Territorial Social Service Centers (TSSCs) and other service providers regulated and licensed on the basis of legislation, procedures and standards developed under the project; (b) victims of gender-based violence; (c) victims of floods or heat waves exacerbated by climate change; (d) vulnerable individuals and families registered in the Unified Social Protection Platform (USPP), including those located in areas prone to climate change; and (e) victims of violence against women.

II. Objectives of the Assignment In July 2022, a Presidential Decree approved the Strategy for Social Protection of the Population of Uzbekistan that covers the following social protection programmes: social aid programmes (social payments); social services programmes; active labor market programmes.

A social insurance programme will be developed following approval of the draft Law “On social insurance” that is being reviewed in the Parliament. For the past 3 years, an authorized state body was established (NASP), responsible for developing and implementing a unified state policy in the field of social protection and providing social services to the population.

A main task of social protection authority has been focused at further fundamental streamlining of the state social support for the population by eliminating fragmentation, duplication and ineffective social protection measures, as well as enhancement of coordination and monitoring of activities of 15 ministries in areas related to social protection.

In mid of 2023 a preliminary inventory revealed 76 types of social payments, 72 social services, over 15 active labor market measures. 12 vulnerable groups of population were identified and provision of social services is organized through “Inson” social service centers, with a clear vertical management structure across the republic, regions, districts, and local communities (mahallas).

The Agency took part in development of more than 50 pieces of legislation aimed at defining eligibility criteria to access social services and benefits and streamlining processes of providing social services. IT modules of the Unified National Social Protection System have been developed. Social workers have been assigned to each of the 10,000 mahallas.

A call-center was established processing around 6,000 calls a day, as well as inhouse training center for social protection workers, and two scientific research institutes have been established. Allocated funding for social protection system has increased tenfold, from 2.0 in 2016 to 20.3 trillion UZS in 2024.

Despite classification of social services and citizens eligible for social protection measures, there is a comprehensive document systematizing and outlining an exact number and characteristic of social support measures (types, forms, period, source of funding, description and so on).

As a result, different units (finance, audit, IT, service delivery, others) within the Agency and its subordinate entities (social service providers) follow different notions and codes of social services and payments that affects a single approach, efficiency and monitoring and evaluation as well as strategic planning and forecasting activities.

In order to systematize all existing social support measures, the Agency is looking for an expert who will develop a classifier of measures of social protection helping to introduce a unified types and forms of measures of social protection in order to shape principles for accounting of such measures and use a reference in Unified National Social Protection IT System making it mandatory in the country. III.

Scope of Services The Consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks: Conduct a kick-off meeting, clarify methods of interaction, schedule and risks; draw up a detailed work plan with checkpoints and responsibilities Review of current legislation, policies, regulations and organizational structure of government agencies affecting social protection system; Identify limitations and requirements for the classifier ; Map stakeholders and collect key user requirements – beneficiaries of classifier (ministries, state departments, local governments, service providers, NGOs and etc.), conduct interviews/workshops, formalize functional and information requirements; Inventory of existing state social support programs, measures and databases; collect and systematize descriptions of all current measures (type, target group, conditions, payment parameters and so on), accounting of registries and information systems; analysis of duplications and gaps; Design the classifier structure and logic (levels/hierarchy, encoding, attributes of measures, relationships between elements, index and references, brief description of each measure), proposals for unified names and definitions (an example of structure is proposed in annex); Define metadata standards and encoding rules by establishing a field format, mandatory/ optional attributes, identifier scheme, versioning rules, glossary of terms; recommending alignment with international standards/practices; Discuss technical requirements and specifications for integration, if needed; Pilot and validate classifier in testing environment by preparing test data sets, conducting a pilot implementation in one/several regions or systems, collecting feedback, adjusting the classifier based on the results.

Conduct training and promote among users by developing training materials (user manuals, methodological instructions, presentations) for key Agency’s staff. Transfer final version of classifier, complete methodological documentation, recommendations for version control, regular updating, performance assessment and maintenance plan.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be downloaded here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q9CIiTEV2ytoGnRUVm8kpWUIOLVPjISLPv9iIJ-FoXk/edit?usp=sharing IV.

Requirements to consultant’s qualifications The Consultant hired under this ToR shall meet the following minimal requirements: Education: academic degree in economics, sociology, not lower than a candidate of sciences (PhD) Experience and skills: at least 3 years of experience in developing classifications of social support measures (SSM), conducting SSM classification at the national and regional levels; at least 3 years of experience in developing the classification of persons in need of state support (recipients of social support), in conducting the classification of recipients of social support; at least 3 years of experience in conducting an inventory of legislation at the national and regional levels to identify social protection measures, benefits, categories of SSM recipients and persons entitled to benefits; at least 3 years of experience in classifying benefits provided to certain categories of beneficiaries, including tax breaks and exemptions; at least 3 years of experience in analyzing existing social protection systems in order to identify gaps (omissions), duplicate measures and fragmentation; experience in working on international projects in the field of social protection, knowledge of the main types of classifications of social protection measures used in international practice (World Bank, OECD, ILO, UNICEF); at least 2 publications on the classification of social protection measures and their use in budget and statistical reporting; at least 7 years of experience working with government agencies in the field of finance, education, labor and social protection, health care, transport and others on social protection policy issues and assessing government spending on the provision of SMEs and benefits; at least 3 years of experience working with local authorities on social protection measures applied at the local level and assessing the necessary costs; experience working with government agencies of Central Asian countries (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic) is an advantage Language Requirements: Knowledge of English; knowledge of Russian or Uzbek language is an asset.

Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity and high ethical standards, professionalism, responsibility. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Functional Competencies: Strong integrative thinking and ability to support the NASP in achieving the project objectives. Consistent approach to work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Demonstrate openness to change and ability to tackle complexities. Ability to seek out, collate and integrate inputs from colleagues and collaborating institutions and stakeholders. Excellent interpersonal skills, with proven ability to work in a team and intercultural environment with minimal supervision.

Development and Operational Effectiveness: Ability to gather comprehensive information and to identify risks, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities. Ability to work across institutions in a collaborative way. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments and achieving results.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.13, 3.15, and3.16 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2025(“Procurement 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 Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours: 10-00 to 18-00 hours (Tashkent time). Expressions of interest supported by CV must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by November 19, 2025. PIU INSON under the NASP Attn: Mr.

Dilshod Gafarov – procurement specialist Address: 17, Amir Temur str., Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 100060 E-mail: d.gafarov@ihma.uz; cc: piuinsonprocurement@gmail.com; s.maxmudov@ihma.uz Agency: NATIONAL AGENCY FOR SOCIAL PROTECTION UNDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Notice type: Request for Expression of Interest Status: Published Value: 100000.0 USD