Senior Expert on Optimizing the Network of Vocational Training Institutions — Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ( LEARN-2.5-EUE-7-R1 – Senior Expert on Optimizing the Network of Vocational Training Institutions) UKRAINE Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program GPE TF0D0613 Assignment Title: Senior Expert on Optimizing the Network of Vocational Training Institutions No . LEARN-2.5-EUE-7-R1 Ukraine with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association (hereinafter referred to as the World Bank) have signed the agreements for the Program “Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine” (hereinafter referred to as the LEARN or Operation). LEARN was developed to address critical challenges and provide essential support to the education sector, aligning with the Ministry of Education and Science’s (MoES) Strategic Action Plan. The objectives of the Operation are to (i) improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) strengthen management capacity of the education system. The objective of this assignment is to provide expert and analytical support to the MoES in coordinating activities for preparing regional plans for the formation of the network of vocational and professional pre-higher education institutions by local authorities, according to the Methodological Guidelines for Forming the Network of Institutions of Vocational and Professional Pre-higher Education, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Order No. 216-r of March 4, 2026 . The Consultant will be contracted through competitive selection in line with the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”). The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. MOES now invites qualified interested persons to submit their expression of interest in Ukrainian and English as provided in the Terms of reference. The detailed Terms of Reference and submission modalities for the assignment are attached to this Request for Expression of Interest. The deadline for submission of applications is 14:00 Kyiv time December 04, 2026. TERMS OF REFERENCE Consulting Services (Individual Consultant) Senior Expert on Optimizing the Network of Vocational Training Institutions Contract No. LEARN-2.5-EUE-7-R1 Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Project GPE TF0D0613 Background Ukraine with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association (hereinafter referred to as the World Bank) have signed the agreements for the Program “Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine” (hereinafter referred to as the LEARN or Operation). LEARN was designed to address critical issues and provide the necessary support to the education sector in accordance with the Strategic Action Plan of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine until 2027, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated 07.03.2024 No. 276 (hereinafter referred to as the Strategic Plan). The Operation focuses on supporting the priorities “1. Early Childhood and Preschool Education” and “2. Reform of the “New Ukrainian School” stipulated in the Strategic Plan. The LEARN objectives are: (i) to improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) to strengthen the management capacity of the education system. The total LEARN financing amounts to US$737 mln provides a combination of the World Bank financing instruments: Program for Results (PforR) – US$675.9 mln and Investment Project Financing (IPF) – US$61.1 mln. The Program-for-Results (PforR) is implemented through a US$235 million loan provided by Bank resources, supported by loan enhancement from the Advancing Needed Credit Enhancement for Ukraine (ADVANCE Ukraine) Trust Fund, which is backed by the Government of Japan. This is formalized under the Loan Agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the Program (LOAN No 9721-UA). An additional US$150 million is provided under the Special Program for Ukraine and Moldova Recovery (SPUR) of the International Development Association (IDA) Crisis Facility, as outlined in the Financing Agreement between Ukraine and the International Development Association for the Program (CREDIT No 7626-UA). On July 1, 2025, the Financing Agreement (Additional Financing: Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program) between Ukraine and the International Development Association (CREDIT No 7905-UA) was signed in the amount of US$4.9 million. On June 9, 2026, a Loan Agreement (Third Additional Financing for Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program) was signed between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Loan No. K019-UA) in the amount of $286 million. Furthermore, US$30 million in Investment Project Financing (IPF) is secured under the Grant Agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association, acting as the administrator of the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reform Multi-Donor Trust Fund (URTF GRANT No TF0C5794). On December 19, 2025, the Grant Agreement (Additional Financing for Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Project) between UKRAINE and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association jointly acting as a Supervising Entity for the Global Partnership for Education Fund and as administrator of the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Multi-Donor Trust Fund (GPE GRANT No TF0D0613, URTF GRANT No TF0D0612) was signed in the amount of US$31.1 million. More detailed information about the LEARN program is provided at https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P504171 The latest additional grant agreement provides for expanded support for reforms in the education sector, in particular by: • financing activities for the development of preschool education; • providing grant support of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine to implement educational reforms. In accordance with the provisions of the agreements concluded, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is responsible for the overall implementation, coordination, monitoring and reporting on the Project activities, in particular those aimed at strengthening the institutional management capacity of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Such activities include the provision of technical assistance, the development and implementation of information systems, conducting training activities in the field of vocational (technical) education, as well as the implementation of initiatives in cross-sectoral areas, in particular inclusive education, European integration, education infrastructure management and strategic planning. II. OBJECTIVE OF THE TASK The purpose of this assignment is to provide expert and analytical support to the MoES in coordinating activities for preparing regional plans for the formation of the network of vocational and professional pre-higher education institutions by local authorities, according to the Methodological Guidelines for Forming the Network of Institutions of Vocational and Professional Pre-higher Education, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Order No. 216-r of March 4, 2026. The expert will ensure that each region moves forward with the preparation of regional plans for formation of the network of vocational and professional pre-higher education institutions during the assignment period. III. SCOPE OF SERVICES The Consultant will provide the following services, including but not limited to: Coordinate engagement with regional teams and support the work of regional working groups; Conduct consultations and working discussions with representatives of regional administrations, education departments, and other relevant stakeholders; Provide guidance on the application of the Methodological Recommendations; Deliver training on the use of analytical dashboards and tools for education network planning; Provide advisory support to regional working groups responsible for developing regional plans for the establishment and optimization of vocational and professional pre-higher education networks, including guidance on the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data related to education networks, demographic trends, and labour market needs; Develop and substantiate strategic recommendations for the optimization of education institution networks; Monitor the progress of regional plan preparation and provide regular reports to the Project team. IV. REPORTING The Consultant will report to and cooperate with the Project Coordinator (Co-Coordinator) and work under the supervision of the General Director of the Directorate. For operational matters, the Consultant will coordinate his/her activities with the Head of the World Bank Operations Management Unit, ensuring effective interaction and support during project implementation. The onsultant will prepare: Monthly reports on services provided within the project execution; Regular progress reports on the work with regions; Analytical notes on the status of regional plans preparation. V. RESOURCES PROVIDED The MoES will provide the onsultant with the necessary information in a timely manner to carry out his/her duties. The MoES will also ensure the Consultant has a work station, including the necessary equipment to perform his/her functions (e.g., PC, communication tools, and office equipment). VI. QUALIFICATIONS Minimum requirements (mandatory): Master’s degree or higher in education, public administration, economics, regional development, sociology, information technology, computer science, applied mathematics, statistics, data science, systems analysis, or another related field; At least 3 years of experience working with government authorities and local self-government bodies; At least 2 years of experience in project management in the education or public administration sector; Knowledge of the regulatory and legal framework in the education sector; Proficiency in English at a minimum level of B1; Fluency in Ukrainian. Desirable skills and qualifications: Experience working with international organizations providing international technical assistance; Leadership skills and ability to work effectively in a team; Experience in drafting regulatory acts would be an advantage; Strong interpersonal communication and consensus-building skills; Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities; Experience in crisis management would be an advantage. VII. DURATION AND LOCATION The Consultant shall provide his/her services until October 30, 2027. The contract may be extended subject to satisfactory performance and mutual agreement between the Consultant and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine during the Project financing period. The Consultant is expected to provide services under this Agreement on an ongoing basis throughout its term at a level of engagement equivalent to full-time employment, to the extent necessary to properly perform the tasks specified in the Terms of Reference. The Consultant shall provide services primarily in Kyiv, Ukraine, and may take business trips to other regions of Ukraine to support implementation of the Project. VIII. DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED Interested persons should submit their CVs in Ukrainian and English at the following email address: kateryna.kovtun@mon.gov.ua Cc: serhiy.artemenko@uiherp.org, maryna.chubenko@mon.gov.ua: Selection of the Senior Expert on Optimizing the Network of Vocational Training Institutions: [NAME]». The deadline for submission of the documents is 14:00 am Kyiv time December 04, 2026. If the candidate fails to provide CVs in both languages, the Client reserves the right to reject the candidate’s application.