Procurement System Capacity Building

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