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 World Bank’s B-READY Report
Reference No.: IC-08

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 Uzbekistan’s readiness for the World Bank’s B-READY (Business Ready) Program.

Scope of Services

The consulting services (“the Services”) include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

1. Provide high-level technical expertise on the World Bank B-READY methodology, indicators, and data requirements.
2. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of Uzbekistan’s business environment performance across all B-READY indicators.
3. Develop a detailed Road Map of reforms to improve the business and investment climate in line with the B-READY methodology.
4. Act as the primary technical liaison between the Government of Uzbekistan’s inter-agency working group and the World Bank B-READY team, ensuring coordination and alignment.
5. Support capacity building of relevant government institutions on B-READY methodology, including data collection, validation, and quality assurance processes.
6. Develop and support implementation of a regulatory and operational framework for B-READY institutionalization, including:
   • designation of responsible state bodies;
   • periodic business and expert surveys;
   • introduction of a “shadow client” mechanism;
   • development of a national business environment indicator aligned with B-READY methodology;
   • establishment of procedures for periodic Business Review Reports;
   • methodology and justification for subnational studies.
7. Develop the Concept and Technical Specifications for a B-READY Indicators Dashboard enabling real-time monitoring and analytics.

Duration and Duty Station

• Duration: 11 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.
• Field visits across regions may be required.

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 business environment reform, competitiveness analysis, or international development indices.
• Proven technical expertise with the World Bank B-READY Program or its predecessor, the Doing Business Report.
• Demonstrated experience assisting governments in improving rankings in international business/economic indices.
• Proven ability to serve as a high-level liaison between government bodies and International Financial Institutions.
• Strong experience in legislative and regulatory gap analysis.
• 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/19Q3hT4vArGrO-8QAXW8fc_X2G80sLbNF/edit#heading=h.ufw25onbdvor

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