Procurement System Capacity Building — Advancing Preparation of Uzbekistan Health Sector Reform Program

Request for Expression of Interest TERMS OF REFERENCE Individual Consultant – Procurement Specialist GFPP Preparation Grant No. E6710 Project Name: Preparation Grant for the Health Sector Reform Program Bid Reference: UZ-MEF-HEALTH-IC-02-CS-INDV 1. Background The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) of the Republic of Uzbekistan is implementing the Grant Facility for Program Preparation (GFPP) IDA Grant No. E6710 financed by the World Bank to support preparation of the proposed Health Sector Reform Program. The Grant is intended to finance analytical studies, technical assistance, institutional strengthening, and capacity-building activities required to prepare the follow-on World Bank-financed operation. The activities are expected to support the Government in strengthening primary health care services, improving sector governance and institutional arrangements, and enhancing implementation readiness for the future Program. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) established under the Ministry of Economy and Finance is responsible for overall implementation of the Grant, including procurement, financial management, contract administration, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, environmental and social risk management, and coordination with the World Bank and relevant government institutions. Procurement activities under the Grant will primarily consist of the selection and management of consulting firms and individual consultants for technical studies, advisory services, institutional assessments, capacity-building activities, training programs, study visits, and other preparatory activities. A limited number of non-consulting services and operating expenditures will also be procured to support implementation of the Grant. Considering the complexity of procurement activities, the number of consulting assignments, and the need to ensure full compliance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations, the PIU intends to engage an experienced Individual Procurement Specialist to support implementation of the Grant. 2. Description of GFPP Grant Activities The Grant finances technical assistance and project preparation activities required for the design and preparation of the proposed Health Sector Reform Program. The indicative activities include, but are not limited to, the following: Component 1 – Technical Studies and Health Sector Reform Preparation Development of methodologies for defining, coding, and costing primary health care services; Design and updating of the Guaranteed Benefits Package for primary health care; Technical and feasibility studies supporting preparation of the follow-on Program; Technical assistance for improving utilization and quality of primary health care services; Advisory services related to provider payment mechanisms; Advisory support for institutional reforms in the health sector. Component 2 – Institutional Strengthening and Project Readiness Capacity building in Environmental and Social Systems Assessment (ESSA); Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation systems; Strengthening Financial Management systems; Strengthening Procurement systems; Institutional capacity development and implementation readiness activities. Component 3 – Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange International study tours; Overseas training programs in health economics and health financing; Capacity-building programs for government institutions; Knowledge-sharing events, workshops, and technical exchanges. Implementation of these activities will require procurement of consulting firms, individual consultants, training services, non-consulting services, and other activities in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (September 2025) and the approved Procurement Plan. 3. Implementation Arrangements The Grant will be implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) through the existing Project Implementation Unit (PIU), which serves as the fiduciary implementing entity responsible for procurement, financial management, contract administration, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and coordination with the World Bank. The PIU shall be responsible for: overall implementation and administration of the Grant; procurement planning and contract management; financial management and disbursement; implementation and monitoring of environmental and social commitments; monitoring and evaluation of Grant activities; preparation of implementation reports; coordination with government agencies and development partners; communication with the World Bank. The Ministry of Health (MOH) will provide technical leadership for a number of activities financed under the Grant. Close coordination between the PIU and the MOH will therefore be essential to ensure timely preparation of technical documentation, procurement decisions, evaluation processes, and implementation of consulting assignments. This coordination arrangement reflects the procurement risks and mitigation measures identified during preparation of the Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD). All procurement financed under the Grant shall be carried out in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (September 2025) , the Grant Agreement, the applicable Procurement Plan, and the Disbursement and Financial Information Letter (DFIL). 4. Objective of the Assignment The objective of the assignment is to provide professional procurement support to the Project Implementation Unit under the Ministry of Economy and Finance to ensure that all procurement activities financed under the GFPP Grant are planned, implemented, and administered in a timely, efficient, transparent, and fully compliant manner in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations, the Grant Agreement, the Procurement Plan, the DFIL, and applicable national legislation where appropriate. The Procurement Specialist shall contribute to timely implementation of procurement activities, effective contract management, mitigation of procurement risks, and achievement of the Grant objectives. In addition to supporting implementation of the GFPP Grant, the Procurement Specialist may, upon request of the PIU Manager, provide procurement support to other projects implemented by the same PIU, provided that such support does not adversely affect implementation of the Grant. 5. Scope of Services The Procurement Specialist shall be responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring procurement activities under the Grant throughout the procurement cycle in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (September 2025), the approved Procurement Plan, the Grant Agreement, and other applicable World Bank requirements. The Consultant shall perform, but not necessarily be limited to, the following tasks: A. Procurement Planning The Consultant shall: Prepare, maintain, and periodically update the Project Procurement Plan in the World Bank's Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP). Review procurement requirements in consultation with the PIU Manager, technical specialists, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant stakeholders. Prepare and update the Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD), where required. Develop realistic procurement schedules and monitor procurement milestones to ensure timely implementation of Grant activities. Prepare procurement-related sections of the Project Operations Manual (POM) and update them, as necessary. Monitor implementation of the Procurement Plan and recommend corrective actions where delays or implementation risks are identified. B. Procurement Risk Management The Consultant shall: Identify procurement-related risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures. Monitor implementation risks affecting procurement timelines and advise the PIU Manager on corrective actions. Ensure that procurement approaches are consistent with the market conditions, procurement risks, and procurement methods identified in the PPSD. Coordinate closely with technical specialists to ensure that Terms of Reference, technical specifications, cost estimates, and evaluation criteria are complete, clear, and fit for purpose. Promote integrity, transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout procurement processes. Ensure that procurement complaints are managed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the World Bank Procurement Regulations. C. Preparation and Administration of Procurement Processes The Consultant shall: Prepare procurement documents for consulting services, individual consultants, non-consulting services, and goods financed under the Grant. Prepare Requests for Expressions of Interest (REOI), Requests for Quotations (RFQ), Requests for Proposals (RFP), Requests for Bids (RFB), bidding documents, evaluation forms, procurement notices, draft contracts, and other procurement documentation. Ensure that procurement documents comply with the World Bank Procurement Regulations, Standard Procurement Documents (SPDs), and applicable procurement methods. Coordinate publication of procurement notices through STEP and other required national or international media. Obtain all required internal approvals and World Bank clearances before launching procurement activities. Coordinate multiple procurement processes simultaneously to support timely implementation of the Grant. D. Evaluation and Contract Award The Consultant shall: Organize and provide procedural support to evaluation committees. Ensure confidentiality, transparency, consistency, and fairness throughout the evaluation process. Provide guidance to evaluation committee members on the application of the World Bank Procurement Regulations. Prepare technical, financial, and combined evaluation reports for procurement of consulting services, goods, and non-consulting services. Submit procurement documentation through STEP for the World Bank's review and no-objection, where required. Prepare draft contracts and assist the PIU in contract negotiations, where applicable. Coordinate contract award procedures and publication of contract award information in accordance with applicable requirements. E. Contract Administration The Consultant shall: Maintain comprehensive procurement and contract management records throughout contract implementation. Monitor consultants' and contractors' compliance with contractual obligations, deliverables, milestones, and implementation schedules. Coordinate with technical specialists to ensure timely review, acceptance, and approval of consultants' deliverables. Prepare procurement-related contract amendments, variations, extensions, and completion documentation. Identify procurement- and contract-related issues and recommend appropriate corrective measures. Ensure that consulting assignments incorporate agreed knowledge-transfer and capacity-building activities, where applicable, in accordance with the objectives of the Grant. F. Compliance and Fiduciary Support The Consultant shall ensure that procurement activities are carried out in full compliance with: the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (September 2025); the World Bank Anti-Corruption Guidelines; the Grant Agreement; the Disbursement and Financial Information Letter (DFIL); the approved Procurement Plan; applicable national legislation, where relevant. The Consultant shall also: maintain complete procurement documentation suitable for prior review, post review, audit, and project supervision; ensure proper procurement filing in both electronic and hard-copy formats; support implementation support missions, procurement reviews, post reviews, and external audits by providing procurement documentation and explanations as required. G. STEP Administration The Consultant shall: Maintain all procurement activities in the World Bank STEP system. Upload procurement plans, procurement documents, evaluation reports, contracts, amendments, procurement notices, and other procurement records into STEP. Monitor procurement milestones and ensure timely submission of documents for the World Bank's review. Respond promptly to comments and requests received from the World Bank through STEP. Utilize AI-assisted functionality available within the STEP system, where appropriate, to support preparation of procurement documents, draft Terms of Reference, evaluation reports, and other procurement documentation. All AI-generated outputs shall be carefully reviewed, validated, and finalized by the Consultant prior to submission or use. H. Coordination and Reporting The Consultant shall: Coordinate procurement activities with the PIU Manager, Financial Management Specialist, technical consultants, the Ministry of Health, relevant MEF departments, and the World Bank. Prepare procurement progress reports and procurement status updates requested by the PIU Manager or the World Bank. Prepare procurement inputs for implementation support missions, project progress reports, aide-mémoires, and other project documentation. Provide procurement advice and guidance to PIU staff, technical specialists, and evaluation committee members. Participate in meetings, workshops, and missions related to implementation of the Grant, as required. I. Other Responsibilities The Consultant shall: Provide procurement support, as requested by the PIU Manager, to other projects implemented by the PIU under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, provided that such support does not adversely affect implementation of the GFPP Grant. Contribute to strengthening procurement capacity within the PIU through on-the-job knowledge sharing and mentoring. Perform any other procurement-related duties reasonably assigned by the PIU Manager that are relevant to successful implementation of projects administered by the PIU. 6. Deliverables The Procurement Specialist shall provide, at a minimum, the following deliverables throughout the implementation of the Grant: Procurement Plan prepared, maintained, and regularly updated in the World Bank STEP system. Procurement documents for all assigned procurement activities, including Requests for Expressions of Interest (REOI), Requests for Quotations (RFQ), Requests for Proposals (RFP), Requests for Bids (RFB), bidding documents, draft contracts, procurement notices, and other related documentation. Procurement evaluation reports prepared and submitted for the PIU's and the World Bank's review, as applicable. Procurement records maintained in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations, including complete documentation for prior review, post review, and audit purposes. Procurement-related contract documentation, including draft contracts, amendments, variations, extensions, and contract completion records. Procurement progress reports and status updates, including inputs to implementation progress reports, implementation support missions, aide-mémoires, and other reports requested by the PIU Manager or the World Bank. Procurement activities and documentation accurately maintained and updated in the STEP system throughout the implementation period. Procurement-related inputs to the Project Operations Manual (POM) and other project implementation documents, as required. Procurement advice and on-the-job support provided to the PIU and relevant stakeholders throughout project implementation. All deliverables shall be prepared in a form and substance satisfactory to the PIU Manager and, where applicable, acceptable to the World Bank. 7. Qualifications Education The Consultant shall possess: A Master's degree or equivalent in Procurement, Public Administration, Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Law, Engineering, or another relevant discipline. Professional certification or specialized training in public procurement, contract management, or supply chain management would be considered an advantage. Professional Experience The Consultant shall have: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in procurement. Demonstrated experience in procurement under projects financed by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), preferably the World Bank. Proven experience in procurement of consulting services, individual consultants, goods, and non-consulting services. Practical experience using the World Bank's Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) platform is highly desirable. Experience in preparation of procurement strategies, procurement plans, procurement documents, evaluation reports, and contract administration. Experience working with public sector institutions in Uzbekistan would be considered an asset. Demonstrated experience in procurement of technical assistance, analytical studies, institutional strengthening, and capacity-building assignments financed by development partners would be an advantage. Competencies The Consultant shall demonstrate: Thorough knowledge of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers . Good understanding of international procurement best practices. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication, coordination, and interpersonal skills. Ability to manage multiple procurement processes simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines. High standards of integrity, professionalism, impartiality, and confidentiality. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Ability to effectively utilize digital procurement platforms and AI-assisted functionality, where appropriate, while ensuring professional review and validation of all outputs. Languages Fluency in written and spoken Uzbek or Russian . Good working knowledge of English , both written and spoken. 8. Duration of the Assignment The assignment is expected to commence upon contract signature and shall continue throughout the implementation period of the Grant Facility for Program Preparation (GFPP) GFPP IDA Grant No. E6710 , currently expected through 30 June 2027 . The Consultant shall be engaged as an Individual Consultant in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (September 2025) . 9. Reporting and Supervision The Procurement Specialist shall report directly to the PIU Manager of the Project Implementation Unit under the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The Consultant shall work in close coordination with: the PIU Manager; the Financial Management Specialist; technical specialists and consultants engaged under the Grant; relevant departments of the Ministry of Economy and Finance; the Ministry of Health and other participating government institutions, as required; the World Bank Procurement Specialist(s) and Task Team. The Procurement Specialist shall perform the assignment under the overall supervision of the PIU Manager and in accordance with the provisions of the Grant Agreement, the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, the approved Procurement Plan, and other applicable World Bank policies and procedures. The Consultant shall maintain regular communication with the PIU Manager regarding implementation progress, procurement risks, procurement planning, and contract administration issues, and shall promptly bring to the attention of the PIU Manager any matter that may affect timely implementation of the Grant or compliance with the applicable procurement requirements. 10. Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest The Consultant shall perform the assignment with the highest standards of professional and ethical competence and integrity. The Consultant shall maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained during the assignment and shall not disclose such information to any third party without prior written authorization from the PIU Manager, except where disclosure is required by applicable laws or the World Bank. The Consultant shall avoid any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest throughout the duration of the assignment and shall immediately disclose to the PIU Manager any circumstances that may give rise to such conflict. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form in English or Russian languages to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by August 17, 2026, at 18:00 hours Tashkent time. Uzbekistan, 100017, Tashkent, Niyozbek yo'li, 1 Tel:(+99897) 447-86-11 E-mail: healthgfpp2@gmail.com Web site: https://www.imv.uz/ Abdurashid Abdurakhmanov