Procurement Specialist Consultant for Uzbekistan Education Project Preparation

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Individual Consultant – Procurement Specialist Country: Republic of Uzbekistan Project: Preparation Grant for Transforming Public Education for Economic Growth Project ID: P513205 Grant No.: E5370 Implementing Agency: Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MoPSE) Financing: International Development Association (IDA), World Bank Selection Method: Individual Consultant Selection (ICS) 1.

Background The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan has received financing from the International Development Association (IDA) under the Preparation Grant for Transforming Public Education for Economic Growth (P513205) to support preparatory activities for a follow-on education operation. The Project is implemented by the Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MoPSE).

MoPSE intends to recruit an Individual Consultant (Procurement Specialist) to support procurement planning, tendering, contract management, and fiduciary compliance under the Grant-financed activities, technical assistance, and program preparation. 2.

Scope of Services The Procurement Specialist will provide procurement and fiduciary support services, including but not limited to: Preparation, updating, and monitoring of Procurement Plans for the Grant-financed activities, technical assistance, and the Program, including processing in the World Bank’s STEP system, as applicable; Support to the preparation of the Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD) and inputs to the World Bank fiduciary system assessment; Ensuring compliance of all procurement activities with World Bank Procurement Regulations, national procurement rules, and applicable operational manuals; Advising MoPSE on procurement strategies, methods, and contract packaging to ensure efficiency, transparency, and value for money; Preparation and review of REOIs, RFQs, RFPs, bidding documents, evaluation reports, and contract award documentation; Organization and management of tendering processes, including publication, pre-bid meetings, bid opening, evaluation, and contract award; Drafting and administration of contracts for goods, works, and consulting services using World Bank-approved templates and national procedures, as applicable; Monitoring contract performance, managing amendments and variations, and maintaining contract registers and procurement records; Preparation of procurement progress reports and procurement risk assessments; Coordination with the World Bank, MoPSE, and other stakeholders on procurement-related matters; Capacity building and guidance to MoPSE staff on World Bank procurement procedures and use of STEP.

3.

Deliverables The Consultant will be responsible for delivering, inter alia: Updated and approved Procurement Plans; Complete procurement documentation for each activity (REOI, RFP/RFQ, evaluation reports, contracts); Quarterly procurement progress reports; Procurement risk assessment reports, as required; Contract management and monitoring registers; Inputs to program implementation and progress reports; Final summary report on procurement activities, compliance, lessons learned, and recommendations.

4.

Qualification Requirements Interested candidates shall meet the following minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, economics, law, business administration, procurement, or a related field; At least five (5) years of professional experience in procurement, including a minimum of three (3) years on World Bank or other IFI-financed operations; Proven experience in preparing bidding documents, managing tendering processes, and drafting contracts for goods, works, and consulting services; Strong knowledge of the World Bank Procurement Regulations and national procurement rules; Experience with electronic procurement systems, preferably the World Bank’s STEP; Proficiency in English, with working knowledge of Uzbek and Russian; Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with high standards of professional integrity.

5. Selection Method The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (February 2025), using the Individual Consultant Selection (ICS) method. 6. Submission of Expressions of Interest Interested candidates shall submit their Expression of Interest, including an updated Curriculum Vitae, demonstrating that they meet the above qualifications.

Expressions of Interest shall be submitted directly to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan no later than: 5 December 2025, 18-00 Tashkent time (GMT+5).

Submission address: Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MoPSE), Project Implementation Unit, 2A Navoiy street, Shayhontohur district, Tashkent (postal code 100011), info@uzedu.uz Agency: Ministry of Preschool and School Education Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Notice type: Request for Expression of Interest Status: Published Value: 24000.0 USD