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

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (LEARN-IC-NIO-7.13.1 – Regional Project Manager 1) UKRAINE Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program Grant No. TF0C5794 Assignment Title: Regional Project Manager 1 Reference No . LEARN-IC-NIO-7.13.1 The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is implementing projects financed by the World Bank, including: Ukraine Improving Higher Education for Results Project (UIHERP) and Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program (LEARN) Program and plans to prepare and implement new operations in cooperation with the World Bank (hereinafter referred to as the Operation(s)). 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 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 manage and coordinate the implementation of NUS reform initiatives within the designated geographical area, ensure effective adaptation of national programs to the regional context, and maintain close cooperation with local education authorities. 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 November 24, 2026. TERMS OF REFERENCE for consulting services (individual consultant) Regional Project Manager 1 Contract No. LEARN-IC-NIO-7.13.1 Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program URTF Grant No. TF0C5794 BACKGROUND The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is implementing projects financed by the World Bank, including: Ukraine Improving Higher Education for Results Project (UIHERP) and Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program (LEARN) Program and plans to prepare and implement new operations in cooperation with the World Bank (hereinafter referred to as the Operation(s)). LEARN 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 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 funded by a US$235 mln 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 9721-UA). An additional US$150 mln 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 Development Association for the Program (LOAN NUMBER 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 NUMBER 7905-UA) was signed in the amount of US$4.9 million. On June 9, 2026, the Loan Agreement (Third Additional Financing for the Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program) between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development was signed in the amount of US$286 mln (LOAN NUMBER K019-UA). 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). 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. For this program, “strategic communication and public engagement” refer to three critical aspects of ensuring the effective implementation of education policies and public trust in reforms: i. Transparency and trust, including timely and clear communication about key initiatives, accessible information for stakeholders, and proactive crisis communication strategies to address concerns and misinformation. ii. Awareness and outreach, especially the development of targeted campaigns, public information materials, and digital engagement strategies to ensure broad understanding and support for educational transformations among educators, parents, students, and policymakers. iii. Capacity building in communication, ensuring that education institutions, regional authorities, and key stakeholders are equipped with the necessary tools, guidelines, and skills to effectively communicate and engage with the public regarding policy changes, funding mechanisms, and international support programs. Effective communication is a key instrument for building trust in education reforms, shaping public perception, and ensuring stakeholder engagement. The Operation of the World Bank is inlined with the Strategic Action Plan and Communications vision of the Ministry. OBJECTIVE The objective of this assignment is to manage and coordinate the implementation of NUS reform initiatives within the designated geographical area, ensure effective adaptation of national programs to the regional context, and maintain close cooperation with local education authorities. SCOPE OF SERVICES The Consultant shall provide the following services, including but not limited to: Manages the implementation of NUS reform initiatives in the designated geographical area. Coordinates with local education authorities and stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the reform. Monitors progress and implementation challenges of the reform at the regional level. Provides feedback on regional adaptation needs and implementation challenges to NIO management. Supports capacity-building activities of regional education institutions. Maintains regular communication with regional stakeholders. REPORTING The Regional Managers Coordinator reports to the LEARN Project Coordinator / Co-Coordinator and works under the supervision of the Head of the New Ukrainian School (NUS) Implementation Office. In carrying out their duties, the Consultant works closely with the Deputy Heads of the NUS Implementation Office and the Heads of the relevant functional units to ensure coordinated planning, management, and implementation of communication activities across the NUS reform portfolio. The Consultant shall submit monthly reports describing the tasks performed, key results achieved, and challenges identified.. RESOURCES PROVIDED MoES provides the Consultant with the information necessary to perform his/her assignment in a timely manner. At the same time, the Consultant independently arranges his/her own workplace, including the equipment necessary to perform his/her functions (e.g., PC, communication means and office equipment). QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Minimum requirements (mandatory): At least 2 years of experience in managing education projects and administering/implementing them At least 1 year of experience in cooperation with national and local authorities At least 2 years of experience in the education sector, preferably in school education Experience in cooperation with international financial or donor organizations High level of English proficiency (upper intermediate or above) Fluency in Ukrainian Desirable skills and qualifications: Experience in managing education projects Knowledge of the specifics of the regional education system Understanding of project management methodologies Knowledge of the principles and objectives of the NUS reform Strong analytical skills and attention to detail Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills Ability to work under conditions of high uncertainty Crisis management experience DURATION AND PLACE OF WORK The Consultant shall provide services until 31 August 2028, with the possibility of extending the contract term until the completion of the LEARN Operation. The Consultant is expected to work on a full-time basis. Services are planned to be provided in Kyiv, Ukraine. Business trips of the Consultant to other regions of Ukraine may be required to support the implementation of the Operation. The Consultant may be expected to provide services remotely; however, at the Client's request, he/she shall arrive and/or provide services at the Client's premises as soon as possible. Contract terms and working arrangements are subject to negotiation. 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-7.13.1: Selection of Regional Project Manager 1: [NAME]". The deadline for submission of the documents is 14:00 am Kyiv time November 24, 2026. If the Consultant fails to provide CVs in both languages, the Client reserves the right to reject the Consultant's application.