Social Specialist

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS)

Republic of Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Digital Inclusion Project

Credit No.: 7425-UZ

Assignment Title: Social Specialist for the construction and renovation of ITES Centers

Reference No.: UZ-DIP-581363-CS-INDV

The Republic of Uzbekistan has received financing from the International Development Association toward the cost of the Uzbekistan Digital Inclusion Project. “Administration of Technology Park of Software and IT” LLC (IT Park), as the Implementing Agency, intends to apply part of the proceeds to engage an individual consultant as Social Specialist for Component 2.2 of the Project. Under Component 2.2, the Project finances the construction and the reconstruction of ITES Centers in the regions. To meet the requirements of the Project’s Environmental and Social Commitment Plan, IT Park will engage three individual consultants under separate contracts: an Environmental Specialist (including Occupational Health and Safety), a Social Specialist and a Stakeholder Engagement Specialist. This Request for Expressions of Interest concerns the Social Specialist. The Social Specialist will support IT Park as the lead specialist for social risk management at the construction sites: labour and working conditions of contractor and subcontractor workers, the workers’ grievance mechanism, prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse / sexual harassment, social aspects of community impacts and accessibility for persons with disabilities, in line with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and the labour legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The consulting services (“the Services”) include, but are not limited to: social screening of Project activities and land plots, including any economic or physical displacement under World Bank Environmental and Social Standard 5 (ESS5) review and preparation of the social parts of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment / Environmental and Social Management Plans, including measures for building users during works; review of designs for accessibility for persons with disabilities and social inputs to the public consultations on the ESMPs; preparation of the labour, community health and safety and SEA/SH parts of the environmental and social requirements, the Code of Conduct for contractor personnel and the bidder declaration for each works tender, and verification that the signed works contracts include them; review of the social sub-plans of each contractor’s Environmental and Social Management Plan and induction of the contractor’s management on the Labour Management Procedures, the Code of Conduct, the workers’ grievance mechanism and SEA/SH requirements.

The assignment is expected to start in December 2026 and to continue until the taking-over of the last of the construction sites and acceptance of the final report, currently expected in the first half of 2029. To obtain the Terms of Reference for the assignment, please send your request to the following e-mail address: udip@it-park.uz. “Administration of Technology Park of Software and IT” LLC now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services: a curriculum vitae in the English language, copies of diplomas and contact details of references.

The evaluation criteria are:

1) Education

University degree in social sciences, sociology, development studies, law, public administration or a related field.

2) Experience

At least 5 years of experience in social risk management and labour issues; At least 3 years of experience on projects financed by the World Bank or other international financial institutions; Proven experience in implementing LMP and workers’ grievance mechanisms and monitoring contractors’ labour practices; Experience with SEA/SH prevention and response and with construction projects is an advantage.

3) Knowledge

World Bank ESF (ESS1, ESS2, ESS4; ESS10 as relevant), including SEA/SH requirements; Labour Code and related legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Gender and inclusion issues; work with mahalla committees and local authorities.

4) Language

Fluent Uzbek and Russian; Good working English.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers”, Fifth Edition, September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest, and to paragraph 3.21 on eligibility. The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants method set out in the Procurement Regulations, based on a comparison of qualifications and experience. Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tashkent time. Expressions of interest must be delivered in writing (in person, by post or by e-mail) to the address below no later than November 26, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Tashkent time.

“Administration of Technology Park of Software and IT” LLC

Attention of: Mr. Azamat Karamatov, General Director

Uzbekistan Digital Inclusion Project 5th floor, 7/2, Muminov str. 100164, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Tel.: [contact details removed] (1037), [contact details removed]

E-mail: udip@it-park.uz