Cross-Functional Strategy and Alignment Expert 1 (Strategic Planning) — Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (LEARN-2.6--3 – Cross-Functional Strategy and Alignment Expert 1 (Strategic Planning) UKRAINE Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program GPE TF0D0613 Assignment Title: Cross-Functional Strategy and Alignment Expert 1 (Strategic Planning) No . LEARN-2.6--3 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 support the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES) in implementing a modern strategic and operational planning system using the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) methodology aimed at improving the effectiveness of policy implementation, in aligning strategic planning and public financial management processes with the strategic priorities of the education sector and the implementation of flagship national programmes and reforms. In particular, the assignment will contribute to the effective planning, prioritisation, sequencing, and coordination of key initiatives, as well as the development of performance indicators aligned with medium-term policy objectives. 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 am Kyiv time July 31, 2026. TERMS OF REFERENCE for Consulting Services (Individual Consultant) Cross-Functional Strategy and Alignment Expert 1 (Strategic Planning) Contract No. LEARN-2.6-CC-3 Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Project GPE TF0D0613 I. 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 The objective of this assignment is to support the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES) in implementing a modern strategic and operational planning system using the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) methodology aimed at improving the effectiveness of policy implementation, in aligning strategic planning and public financial management processes with the strategic priorities of the education sector and the implementation of flagship national programmes and reforms. In particular, the assignment will contribute to the effective planning, prioritisation, sequencing, and coordination of key initiatives, as well as the development of performance indicators aligned with medium-term policy objectives. The Consultant will support the development and implementation of effective strategic planning (including using the OKR and RBM methodologies) approaches aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness, strengthening evidence-based decision-making, ensuring alignment between strategic objectives and reform implementation, and introducing best practices in performance monitoring and results management. III. Scope of services The Consultant shall provide the following services, including but not limited to: Analyze existing strategic documents of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES) (strategies, concepts, programs) and ensure their alignment with the priorities and objectives defined in the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Program, the Sustainable Development Goals, other international commitments of the state, and national strategic policy documents; Develop and/or update strategic Objectives at the MoES level and coordinate the cascading of these Objectives to the directorate level; Organize the development of a quarterly and annual planning system based on the OKR methodology, including the preparation of operational plans of structural units and alignment of plans across units to avoid duplication and conflicts; Coordinate the definition of clear Key Results with measurable indicators/metrics in line with the OKR methodology; Provide methodological support and guide the implementation of the OKR methodology within MoES (adapted to the public sector), including integration into internal processes and providing recommendations for adjustments to regulations and procedures; Develop a system for monitoring the achievement of defined objectives, including preparation of regular analytical reports and visualization of progress (dashboards, presentations, etc.). Expected Deliverables: An inception report outlining the approach, implementation plan, and roll-out of the OKR methodology within MoES; Analytical briefs on the progress of OKR methodology implementation within MoES; Regular reports on the achievement of objectives under the OKR methodology within MoES; Proposals for updating strategic goals at the level of the MoES and cascading them to the level of directorates to update the strategic plan for the development of the education and science sector; nalytical reports assessing the consistency of MoES strategic documents with the priorities and goals defined in the Program of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Sustainable Development Goals, other international obligations of the state and national strategic policy documents; Coordination and analytical support materials related to the implementation and monitoring of flagship national programmes and reforms. Semi-annual updates and recommendations for the subsequent six-month period;; A final report containing medium- and long-term recommendations for strengthening strategic planning and results-based management within MoES; Recommendations for further development of the results-based management system: - a draft proposal for the Education and Science Development Strategy of Ukraine, including a clearly defined set of measures and performance indicators aligned with medium-term public policy objectives;; - a draft annual report on the implementation of the MoES Strategic and Operational Plans including recommendations for improving monitoring, reporting and performance assessment; - a draft annual MoES Operational plan and recommendations for strengthening KPI development and performance measurement approaches. IV. Reporting The Consultant shall report to the Project Coordinator/Project Co-Coordinator and work in coordination with the Deputy Ministers of Education and Science of Ukraine, relevant MoES directorates, and project managers involved in the implementation of Project activities. On operational matters, the Consultant shall cooperate with the Head of the World Bank Operations Management Team. The Consultant shall submit monthly reports to Project coordinator / Project Co-coordinator in hard copy. The reports shall include a description of services provided during the reporting period. V. Provided resources MoES shall provide the Consultant with the information necessary to carry out his/her assignment in a timely manner. MoES may provide the Consultant with a workplace, including necessary equipment to carry out his/her functions (e.g. PC, communications and office equipment). VI. Qualification requirements Minimum requirements (mandatory): Master’s degree or higher in public administration, economics, management, or a related field; At least 5 years of professional experience in management, strategic and/or operational planning, or related areas; Experience in implementing OKR, RBM or similar performance management systems; Fluency in Ukrainian; Proficiency in English at a minimum level of B1. Desirable skills and qualifications: Experience working with the public sector or international projects; Experience working with reforms or policies in the education and/or science sector; Experience in facilitating strategic sessions; Skills in using analytical tools and basic data visualization tools. VII. Period and location of employment The Consultant shall provide his/her services until July 31, 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. The Consultant is expected to be able to provide services remotely, but at the MOES request must arrive and/or provide services at the MOES premises as soon as possible. VIII. Application package 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 , marina.chubenko@mon.gov.ua indicating the email subject: «LEARN: Selection of the Cross-Functional Strategy and Alignment Expert 1 (Strategic Planning): [NAME]». The deadline for submission of the documents is 14:00 pm Kyiv time July 31, 2026. If the candidate fails to provide CVs in both languages, the Client reserves the right to reject the candidate’s application.