World Bank Seeks Monitoring and Evaluation Expert for Uzbekistan SME Strategy

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION – OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS) Republic of Uzbekistan Project: Project Preparation for the Financial Inclusion for Growth, Returns, and Opportunities for Work (FINGROW) MPA Phase 1 Project P181972 (P511700) Assignment Title: Expert on Institutional Implementation (Monitoring and Evaluation System) for SME Development Strategy and SME Policy Reference No.: IC-07 The World Bank is providing financing through the Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP) to support preparation of the proposed Financial Inclusion for Growth, Returns, and Opportunities for Work (FINGROW) Project. The Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan intends to apply part of these funds to recruit an individual consultant for the assignment indicated above. The assignment will support implementation of the SME Development Strategy 2025–2030 and strengthen institutional arrangements and monitoring mechanisms for SME policy implementation. Scope of Services The consulting services (“the Services”) include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

• Provide high-level strategic and technical advice on institutional arrangements for SME development.
• Conduct analytical assessments of the performance of government institutions involved in SME support programs and policy implementation.
• Map institutional mandates, workflows, and coordination mechanisms to identify overlaps, gaps, and conflicting functions.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations to improve institutional efficiency, coordination, role clarity, and service delivery.
• Prepare substantiated proposals for institutional optimization and transformation of SME-related functions and service delivery arrangements.
• Formulate a well-justified reform concept and draft Government Decision for the 2026 Open Dialogue with Entrepreneurs.
• Support capacity building and knowledge transfer within the Department, including internal trainings on functional review and institutional reform.
• Support coordination of functional reforms with ministries, agencies, and development partners.

Duration and Duty Station

• Duration: 12 months (with possible extension based on performance and project needs).
• Duty station: Tashkent , Uzbekistan.
• The Consultant is expected to maintain approximately 50% physical presence at the Ministry to ensure effective coordination and knowledge transfer.
• The Consultant will undertake regional field missions across Uzbekistan to support data collection, consultations, and monitoring of SME policy implementation.

Eligibility and Qualification Requirements The Consultant should possess:

• Advanced degree in economics, business administration, public policy, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of international experience in SME development, business environment reform, and policy advisory.
• Proven experience in designing and evaluating SME support programs and institutional frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government institutions, private sector stakeholders, and development partners.
• Experience in transition economies or developing countries; Central Asia experience is an asset.
• Ability to reside in Tashkent for extended periods.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Russian or Uzbek is an asset.

The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment can be downloaded from the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m8CS-fqQxjxXiGBQVV8648a8hg5hp3jX/edit#heading=h.q3enypb0pazw Submission Requirements The Project Management Unit (PMU) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance invites eligible individual consultants (“Consultants”) to express their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should submit: Required documents:

• Letter of Interest;
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) demonstrating compliance with qualification requirements. Please complete the resume form using the link below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vYxKlKP5TMzJYxlpTQU1FzdeBojESIyB/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102883265367454794668&rtpof=true&sd=true

Optional supporting materials:

• Copies of relevant reports or publications from similar assignments;
• Brief description of the proposed approach and tools

Selection Method A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. The attention of interested consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Submission Details Expressions of Interest must be delivered in written form (in person, by mail, or by e-mail) to the address below by 17:00 (Tashkent time), March 9, 2026. Project Management Unit (PMU) Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan 1 Niyozbek Yuli Street Tashkent, Uzbekistan Attn: Mr. Alibek Narboev, Head of PMU Tel: +998 90 176 8877 / +998 90 047 8227 Email: pmu.fingrow@imv.uz Website: www.imv.uz Agency: Project Management Unit under the Ministry of Economy and Finance Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Notice type: Request for Expression of Interest Status: Published Value: 50000.0 USD