Institutional Capacity Building Project

On May 24, 2019, World Bank and Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MOF) have concluded an agreement on a World Bank loan program called “Institutional Capacity Building Project” (ICBP) for Uzbekistan.

The development objectives of ICBP are to strengthen public financial management (PFM) and enable the market operation of the corporate sector. This project has four components. 1) The first component, Improving PFM, aims to support improvements in areas fundamental to a functional PFM system that promotes achievement of public policy objectives, improved performance, and institutionalized accountability. 2) The second component, Improving Conditions for Market Operation of the Corporate Sector, aims to support the restructuring and rightsizing of the State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) sector in Uzbekistan. 3) The third component, Improving Support Mechanisms for Reforms, aims to provide support to the newly established Economic Council, key regulatory agencies and other public sector agencies expected to be identified as critical for implementing market reforms during project implementation. 4) The fourth component, Project Management, aims to provide support to the overall implementation arrangements for the project.

Sub-Component 2.4. of the ICBP is related to the development of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) sphere and states that two Project Preparation Facilities (PPFs) for Government of Uzbekistan (GOU) institutional capacity upgrading is allocated in order to bring strategic investments (divestments and PPPs) to the market. The PPF for PPPs is meant to fund consultancy and advisory services to prepare and develop PPP projects, advisory support for analyzing constraints to development of PPPs (‘PPP Support Activities’) and other activities directed to the capacity building and development of PPP in Uzbekistan. Project Implementation Unit (PIU) under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MOF) was created to implement the ICBP project and lead the process for the procurement of Consultants.

In line with GOU’s social and economic reform policies, the GOU is focused on the improvement of the Education Sector and education infrastructure in the country. Several projects in the Education Sector are being implemented on the basis of PPP such as the development of pre-schools, schools, dormitories for students of higher education institutions, etc. (Education Sector).

Therefore, by using the ICBP loans PPPDA is seeking to procure the services of a Local PPP Consultant on Education (Consultant) with extensive experience in Education Sector PPP transactions to carry out the technical/transaction support and advisory for Education Sector PPP projects.

The Consultant will report to the PPPDA Management and work alongside the staff and other consultants of the PPPDA. The objective of this TOR is to set out the Profile and Scope of Work for the Consultant.

- CONSULTANT PROFILE

PPPDA is looking for a Consultant with the following profile:

- Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields: engineering, finance, economics, law, public administration, business administration or other Education Sector related fields;

- At least 5 years of professional relevant experience in:

a. Project finance, underwriting, transaction advisory, legal and project management with public sector institutions, strategic investors, investment banks, consulting firms or international financial institutions with focus on education sector projects, or

b. Education Sector project implementation with public sector institutions, strategic investors, investment banks, consulting firms or international financial institutions;

- Motivated, reactive, responsible, proactive, diplomatic individual with a sense of teamwork and ability to work offline and online with other team members;

- Fluent in Uzbek/Russian and English, both written and spoken, ability to convey complex issues to senior management/audiences;

- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Excel and other Office applications;

- CFA, CPA, ACCA, CIMA, master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification will be an advantage;

- PPP Project or infrastructure project development, advisory, support or implementation at an advisory firm, investment company or IFIs will be an advantage;

- Experience of working on and leading Education Sector projects with more than 10 million USD investment value will be an advantage.

B. SCOPE OF WORK

Throughout the process, the Consultant shall work under the supervision of the PPPDA Management, working in cooperation with other staff, advisors and consultants of PPPDA, and collaborate closely with other ministries, departments and agencies of the GOU on the PPP projects in the Education Sector.

Project work:

a. Identify, review and structure new potential PPP transactions involving various stakeholders;

b. Deliver transaction/technical/project management support activities on PPP projects;

c. Contribute to all phases of the PPP educational projects including project preparation, due diligence, structuring and implementation and post signing, construction and operations phases;

d. Review project documents (proposals from public partners, unsolicited proposals, prefeasibility studies (PFS), project concept, project evaluation document, feasibility studies, Request for Qualification, Request for Proposal, PPP Agreement, Power Purchase Agreement, Government Support Agreement, Land Lease Agreement, Direct Agreements, etc.) and provide comments, and suggest amendments as well as additions to the documents, where needed;

e. Participate in discussions, meetings (online and offline), hold meetings and workshops to discuss the implementation plans, bidding strategies, results of the PFSs, issues, progress of PPP projects, etc. among various stakeholders, including senior GOU officials, and prepare presentation and discussion materials as necessary;

f. Keep up to date with the developments within the GOU which may impact PPP projects and report to the PPPDA Management on relevant findings or issues;

g. Provide regular updates on the status of appointed PPP projects to the PPPDA Management and relevant PPPDA division;

h. Contribute to introduction of best international practices while working on projects;

i. Assist in developing PPP relevant processes, manuals, methodologies, templates, etc., in the Education Sector;

j. Analyze (as is/to be, ex-post, ex-ante, etc.) of all Education Sector PPP projects closed in Uzbekistan and prepare a report for the benefit of PPPDA and other GOU stakeholders related to lessons learned to identify and document key successful factors, development needs and recommendations that could be of value for future projects;

k. Perform other tasks that may be reasonably assigned by the PPPDA management in the context of this scope of work.

Business Development and Client management work:

l. Develop trustful relationships with private sector clients, multilateral development banks and within the GOU with respect to relevant GOU and World Bank code of conduct;

m. Actively assist the PPPDA with daily communication with private, public and other stakeholders within the Education Sector PPP projects – facilitate meetings, report and consult with PPPDA Management on material issues, follow up on requests to and from the private and public stakeholders, respond to questions on relevant aspects of projects in coordination with PPPDA Management;

n. Assist to resolve issues regarding projects.

C. MAIN DELIVERABLES AND LANGUAGE

The Consultant will be expected to exceptional domain expertise and skills during PPP transactions, especially in supporting the projects, reviewing project documents, analysis and explanation of various aspects of Education Sector PPP projects. It is the responsibility of the Consultant to be proactive and identify and execute any additional tasks that would be required in order to ensure the successful and timely delivery of GOU’s PPP projects in the Education Sector.

The Consultant will be expected to produce a high-quality work product in accordance with best international practice. This means, among other things:

- All necessary working documents, references, summaries, etc. submitted will be logically structured and clearly drafted in plain Uzbek, Russian or English language as required;

- All deliverables shall be checked for spelling, cross references, consistency before handing them over to the PPPDA Management;

- The Consultant is expected to prepare and submit periodic Assignment Progress Reports in written format to Z. Bozorov and  Kh. Khasanov regarding his/her progress on assignments on monthly basis within 3 working days before the end of the month. The report will summarize progress on workflow items and deliverables, any constraints and remedial actions taken or proposed during the preceding month, as well as include a timesheet for the preceding month and a work plan for next month;

- Upon completion of the provision of consulting services, the Consultant must prepare a Final Progress Report, no later than 1 month after completion of services.

E. PAYMENT, INDICATIVE TIMELINE, AND OTHER DETAILS

It is expected that a 12-month contract will be signed between the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Consultant. The remuneration for the activities described in these TORs will be in a monthly salary basis.

The Consultant will be based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, delivering its activities in the PPPDA and PIU office. The working place will be arranged for the Consultant.