Uzbekistan Student Financing System Reform Preparation Grant

• Background

The Government of Uzbekistan is preparing a comprehensive reform to improve equitable access, sustainability, and relevance of the national student financing system. To support this effort, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) has received a Preparation Grant (GFPP Grant No. TF0C8875) in the amount of USD 2,000,000 from the Bank, acting as trustee of the Grant Facility for Project Preparation . The Grant finances preparation of the follow-on Program for Results with the potential Investment Project Financing Component Operation that will also require preparation of the feasibility studies, financial simulations, Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) assessments, due diligence of financial intermediaries, capacity-building, consultations, and technical design work. The findings and deliverables produced under the Grant will guide the development of the full project, including results areas, Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs), implementation arrangements, and monitoring systems.

• Description of GFPP Grant Activities

The Grant finances three major areas of analytical and preparatory work as outlined in the Grant Agreement: Part 1: Research and Feasibility Studies

• Feasibility study on the student financing system
• Environmental and social assessments
• Evaluation of current student loan policies and access barriers
• Survey work to assess impacts of student loan repayment strategies
• Financial simulations for sustainability and risk analysis
• Stakeholder workshops and consultations

Part 2: Project Readiness and Institutional Strengthening

• Establishment and support to the MEF’s expert group
• Strengthening administrative, technical, and analytical capacity
• Due-diligence assessment of potential financial intermediaries (banks)
• Procurement assessments
• M&E, legal, fiduciary, and ESF readiness for the future project

Part 3: Policymaker Capacity Development

• Training on international best practices in student financing
• Capacity development workshops for MEF, MHESI, and financial intermediaries
• Learning events with national and international experts
• Technical preparation for taxation, digital infrastructure, and financing mechanisms
• Implementation Arrangements

The Grant will be implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) through an existing Project Implementation Unit (PIU), with the MEF serving as the primary implementing entity responsible for fiduciary management, procurement, reporting, monitoring, and coordination with the Bank. The PIU will be responsible for:

• Comprehensive project management ensuring the fulfillment of all key performance indicators.
• Fiduciary functions (FM, disbursement, procurement)
• Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) implementation, including: managing E&S risks, engaging stakeholders, reporting, and operating the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)
• Coordination with MEF departments, MHESI, commercial banks, technical ministries, and stakeholders
• Communication with the Bank
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Preparation of financial reports, interim unaudited financial reports (IFRs), and audit arrangements in line with the DFIL

The Project Coordinator will serve as the primary link between the PIU, the MEF leadership, and the Bank team. Given the complexity and multi-stakeholder nature of the preparation activities, the PIU requires a qualified M&E Specialist that will play a central role in designing and managing the monitoring architecture of the preparation phase , ensuring high-quality reporting, tracking progress against the Work Plan, and supporting the development of key M&E elements for the future project.

• Objective of the Assignment

The objective of the assignment is to establish and manage an effective monitoring and evaluation system for the GFPP Preparation Grant that enables reliable tracking of all activities, deliverables, timelines, risks, and results, and ensure the timely preparation of all reports required by MEF and the Bank.

• Scope of Services

The M&E Specialist will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the monitoring system for all Grant-financed activities and supporting the development of M&E-related elements for the future project. A. Establishment of the M&E System

• Develop and maintain the M&E framework for the Grant, including indicators, baselines, milestones, timelines, and data sources.
• Prepare the M&E section of the Project Operations Manual (POM) for the follow-on Program.
• Establish tools for tracking implementation progress, consultant outputs, deliverables, and procurement milestones.

B. Monitoring of Grant Activities

• Track implementation of all activities under:
• Part 1 – Feasibility studies and technical assessments
• Part 2 – Project readiness and institutional strengthening
• Part 3 – Policymaker capacity development
• Ensure all planned deliverables are produced on time and meet required quality standards.
• Maintain a milestone-based tracking system in coordination with the Project Coordinator.

C. Data Collection, Verification, and Analysis

• Collect data from Project Implementation Unit staff, consultants, MEF departments, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (MHESI), and other relevant stakeholders.
• Collect E&S data, including stakeholder feedback, incidents, and grievances.
• Verify accuracy and completeness of data, including supporting documentation.
• Maintain an organized digital repository of evidence for each activity and output.
• Analyze data to assess progress, delays, risks, and deviations from the Work Plan.

D. Reporting

• Prepare monthly Progress Reports for submission to the Bank, covering:
• Implementation progress
• Results indicators
• Procurement status
• Financial execution inputs
• Environmental and Social Commitment Plan implementation updates, including reporting on GRM operation and resolution of complaints.
• Issues, risks, and mitigation measures
• Provide M&E inputs to:
• Annual plans
• Implementation support mission reports
• Internal MEF reporting
• Briefings for senior management
• Ensure all reports are aligned with Disbursement and Financial Information Letter (DFIL), Grant Agreement, and the Bank requirements.

E. Support to Future Project Preparation The M&E Specialist will assist the Project Coordinator and technical experts in preparing the future project’s monitoring architecture, including:

• Drafting the work progress on the progress of achieving the Results in accordance with the Results Framework (PDO indicators and intermediate indicators).
• Supporting the design of monitoring arrangements for the future student financing support system reform Program.
• Contributing to the identification of data sources, methods, and reporting flows.
• Supporting preparation of potential DLIs (Disbursement Linked Indicators) , verification protocols and Result Framework as needed.
• Collaborating on M&E-related sections of feasibility studies, workshops, and consultations.

F. Coordination with PIU, MEF Units, Consultants, and the Bank

• Work closely with:
• Project Coordinator
• Procurement and FM Specialists
• Technical experts preparing studies
• Environmental and Social specialists developing ESCP compliance reports
• Coordinate communication with the Bank M&E staff, education specialists, and task team members.
• Support preparation for Implementation Support Missions and follow-up actions.

G. Risk Management

• Identify risks that may affect implementation and monitor mitigation measures.
• Ensure risk-related information is included in progress reports.
• Maintain a dynamic Risk Monitoring Matrix for the Grant period.
• Deliverables

The M&E Specialist shall deliver:

• M&E Framework and tools developed within the first month of assignment.
• Semi-annual Progress Reports with full M&E inputs.
• Monthly monitoring summaries (if requested by the Project Coordinator).
• Updated Risk Monitoring Matrix (periodically).
• Data collection instruments and evidence repository.
• Inputs to the Implementation Completion Report (ICR) at project closing.
• Contributions to the future project Results Framework (PDO, indicators, verification methods).
• Documentation of consultations and workshops , including attendance, outputs, and stakeholder engagement, feedback and GRM operation.
• Relevant inputs to the POM for the follow-on project.
• Qualifications

Education

• Higher education degree in economics, public policy, statistics, education, social sciences, project management, or related fields.
• A Master’s degree is an advantage.

Professional Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Experience with the Bank or other donor-funded projects is highly desirable.
• Experience in data collection, indicator tracking, and analytical reporting.
• Experience working with government agencies, preferably in MEF, MHESI, or related institutions.
• Familiarity with projects in education, social policy, or financial systems is an asset.

Skills

• Strong analytical and data management skills.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and data visualization tools; familiarity with project management software is an advantage.
• Solid understanding of results-based management and M&E frameworks.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks.
• Working knowledge of English is required; fluency in Uzbek and Russian essential.
• Duration of Assignment

The duration of the assignment is through the full implementation period of the GFPP Preparation Grant (TF0C8875) , ending around June 2026 , with potential extension based on performance and project needs.

• Reporting and Supervision

The M&E Specialist will report directly to the Project Coordinator and work closely with:

• Procurement Specialist
• Financial Management / Disbursement Specialist
• Environmental & Social Specialist
• MEF technical departments
• World Bank task team

Uzbekistan, 100017, Tashkent, Istiklol street, 29 Tel:(+99871) 203-50-50 (01540), +998 90 632 88 06 E-mail: Dilmurod.Sultonov@imv.uz Web site: https://www.imv.uz/ Agency: Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Notice type: Request for Expression of Interest Status: Published Value: 25000.0 USD