Project Manager 1 — Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (LEARN-IC-NIO-7.4.1 – Project Manager 1) UKRAINE Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program Grant No. TF0C5794 Assignment Title: Project Manager 1 Reference No . LEARN-IC-NIO-7.4.1 Ukraine and World bank have signed the agreements for the Program “Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program” (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 the Consultant's assignment is to ensure effective project management and coordination within the Cross-sectoral Project Management Unit of the NUS Implementation Office to achieve reform 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 August 25, 2026. TERMS OF REFERENCE for Consulting Services (Individual Consultant) Project Manager 1 Contract No. LEARN-IC-NIO-7.4.1 Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program URTF Grant No. TF0C5794 BACKGROUND Ukraine and the World Bank have signed the agreements for the Program "Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program" (hereinafter referred to as the LEARN). The objectives of the LEARN are: to (i) improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) to strengthen the management capacity of the education system. The total financing for the Operation is US$451 million using a combination of the World Bank's financial instruments: Program-for-Results (PforR) complemented by Investment Project Financing (IPF). The Program-for-Results (PforR) is funded by a US$235 million credit provided by Bank resources, supported by credit 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 Financing Agreement between Ukraine and the International Development Association for the Program (CREDIT NUMBER 7626-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 Loan Agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the Program (LOAN NUMBER 9721-UA). Financing Agreement (Additional Financing: Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program) between Ukraine and the International Development Association (CREDIT NUMBER 7905-UA) was signed in the amount of US$4.9 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 NUMBER TF0C5794). Furthermore, US$31.1 million in Additional Financing is provided through grant resources, consisting of US$30.0 million from the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reform Multi-Donor Trust Fund and US$1.1 million from the Global Partnership for Education Fund. This additional financing is formalized under the Grant Agreement 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 (URTF GRANT NUMBER TF0D0612; GPE GRANT NUMBER TF0D0613), and supports activities related to the continued implementation of the Program. 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. LEARN will focus on supporting the Strategic Action Plan Priority 2: School education and the New Ukrainian School (NUS). The continuation of the NUS reform is a key priority of the MoES. The objectives of the Program are to (i) improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) strengthen management capacity of the education system. The Program is implemented in Ukraine by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES) with the support of the World Bank Group. The implementation period is 2024-2027. More detailed information is given at the link https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P504171 The Operation will focus on supporting the Strategic Action Plan Priority 2: School education and the New Ukrainian School (NUS). The continuation of the NUS reform is a key priority of the MoES. The objectives of the Operation are to (i) improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) strengthen management capacity of the education system. For this program, "teaching and learning conditions" refer to three critical factors of education service delivery: i. safety, including shelters as a pre-condition for schools to open for in-person learning and free and inclusive school bus transportation for students living further distances from schools; ii. learning materials, especially updated textbooks and age-appropriate learning materials in line with the NUS model; and iii. teachers trained on NUS standards, principles, and the use of the updated learning materials. Meanwhile, "management capacity of the education system" refers to institutional capabilities to plan, allocate, and monitor resources based on robust data at the student and school levels. The NUS Implementation Office (NIO) will be established by the Ministry as an advisory and consultative body. The NIO's primary purpose is to support and implement the New Ukrainian School (NUS) reform by providing expert guidance, strategic oversight, and coordination of reform initiatives across Ukraine. OBJECTIVE The objective of this assignment is to ensure effective project management and coordination within the Cross-sectoral Project Management Unit of the NUS Implementation Office to achieve reform objectives. SCOPE OF SERVICES The Consultant shall provide the following services, including but not limited to: Manages specific projects and initiatives within the NUS reform implementation. Ensures coordination between different units and teams to achieve project objectives. Develops and implements project plans, including timelines, resources, and budgets. Conducts monitoring and reporting on project progress. Identifies and manages project risks, develops mitigation strategies. Maintains communication with all project stakeholders. REPORTING Project Manager 1 reports directly to the Operational Deputy Head of New Ukrainian School Implementation Office. For operational matters, works in coordination with relevant unit heads. Monthly reports must include details of progress, challenges, and tasks completed, along with time sheets. PROVIDED RESOURCES MoES shall provide the Consultant with the information necessary to carry out his/her assignment in a timely manner. MoES shall provide the Consultant with a workplace, including necessary equipment to carry out his/her functions (e.g. PC, communications and office equipment). QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Minimum requirements (mandatory): At least 2 years of professional experience in project management and administration/implementation At least 1 year of experience in collaboration with national and local government authorities At least 2 years of experience in education sector, preferably school education Experience of collaboration with international financial or donor organizations Advanced spoken and written English (upper intermediate or better level of English including knowledge of project management terminology) Fluency in Ukrainian Desired skills and qualifications: Experience in managing educational projects Strong understanding of project management methodologies Knowledge of NUS reform principles and objectives Strong analytical skills and attention to detail Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills Ability to work in conditions of high uncertainty Crisis management experience PERIOD AND LOCATION OF EMPLOYMENT The Consultant shall provide his/her services until August 31, 2027. The contract may be extended subject to satisfactory performance and mutual agreement between the Consultant and the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) during the Project financing period. The Consultant shall provide his/her services on a full-time basis. The incumbent will be based in Kyiv, Ukraine. The Consultant should be required and expected to take business trips to other regions of Ukraine to support implementation of the Project. 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 and maryna.chubenko@mon.gov.ua indicating the email subject: " LEARN-IC-NIO-7.4.1: Selection of Project Manager 1: [NAME]". The deadline for submission of the documents is 14:00 am Kyiv time August 25, 2026. If the Consultant fails to provide CVs in both languages, the Client reserves the right to reject the Consultant's application.