TERMS OF REFERENCE
Environmental and Social (E&S) Specialist
Individual Consultant
GFPP Preparation Grant No. TF0C8875
1. Background
The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, through the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), is implementing preparatory activities under the Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP Preparation Grant No. TF0C8875).
The Grant is processed under the World Bank’s Investment Project Financing (IPF) and is subject to the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). An Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) has been agreed with the World Bank and forms part of the Project’s legal obligations.
In parallel, a Program Action Plan (PAP) has been developed in preparation for a potential follow-on Program-for-Results (PforR) operation. The PAP includes actions related to strengthening environmental and social systems, institutional capacity, grievance redress mechanisms, and operational procedures.
The Program Operational Manual (POM), prepared under the Grant, must reflect ESCP commitments and incorporate relevant environmental and social actions identified in the PAP.
The Ministry seeks to recruit an individual Environmental and Social Specialist to support implementation of ESCP commitments and ensure proper integration of environmental and social procedures into the POM.
2. Objective of the Assignment
The objective of the assignment is to:
Support implementation of Environmental and Social commitments under the ESCP;
Ensure compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESS1, ESS2, ESS10);
Support integration of relevant environmental and social actions from the PAP into operational documentation, the Consultant shall also ensure alignment with the World Bank's PforR Core Principles (particularly Core Principles 4, 5, and 6 on social management, vulnerable groups, and grievance mechanisms);
Lead preparation of the Environmental and Social chapter of the Program Operational Manual (POM).
3. Scope of Services
3.1 Capacity Building of Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs)
The Consultant shall:
Develop training materials and presentations on social risk management and ESF requirements;
Deliver training sessions for Environmental and Social (E&S) specialists and designated social coordinators of PFIs;
Provide practical guidance on implementation of social screening, inclusion measures, and grievance handling procedures.
3.2 Development and Implementation of Social Inclusion Guidelines
The Consultant shall:
Building on the findings of the Environmental and Social Systems Assessment (ESSA), review and validate identified gaps in existing ESMS at participating banks, with particular attention to equitable access for vulnerable groups including women, persons with disabilities, rural students, and low-income families;
Identify gaps against applicable ESS requirements;
Develop Social Inclusion and Equal Access Guidelines for the Program;
Support PFIs in integrating these guidelines into their internal procedures;
Support the establishment or strengthening of social risk management procedures and related documentation.
3.3 Strengthening of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)
The Consultant shall:
Assess existing complaint handling systems within PFIs;
Develop a Program-specific GRM framework;
Establish dedicated contact channels (hotline, email address);
Prepare and disseminate information materials (brochures, posters) explaining the GRM process.
3.4 Establishment of a Unified, Publicly Disclosed GRM
The Consultant shall:
Develop and operationalize a unified and publicly disclosed GRM applicable to all PFIs under the Program;
Conduct awareness-raising activities among stakeholders regarding grievance procedures;
Train bank coordinators and staff on effective grievance management;
Monitor and track outreach indicators (number of sessions conducted, stakeholders reached, feedback received).
3.5 Development of a Code of Conduct
The Consultant shall:
Develop a comprehensive Code of Conduct applicable to all Program staff and agents;
Ensure alignment with ESS2 and ESS4 requirements;
Include provisions addressing non-discrimination, gender-based violence (GBV), sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), and sexual harassment (SH);
Coordinate development with the HR Department of the Ministry of Economy.
3.6 Confidential Mechanism for Sensitive Complaints (SEA/SH)
The Consultant shall:
Formally establish a confidential grievance mechanism for sensitive complaints, including SEA/SH-related cases;
Develop secure reporting channels (dedicated phone number and/or QR-code-based digital submission);
Coordinate with IT departments of participating banks to enable anonymous digital complaint submission;
Ensure secure data handling, restricted access, and survivor-centered referral protocols.
3.7 Independent Review of Borrower Selection Process
The Consultant shall:
Conduct a selective review of loan documentation from each participating bank;
Assess compliance with principles of fairness, transparency, and non-discrimination;
Prepare an independent analytical report with findings and recommendations.
3.8 Stakeholder Consultations
The Consultant shall:
Organize and document formal consultations conducted through the Bank’s Environmental and Social (E&S) Coordinators:
Student groups,
Women’s associations,
Organizations representing persons with disabilities;
Prepare consultation minutes and a stakeholder feedback matrix;
Ensure that stakeholder feedback is reflected in Program implementation.
3.9 Development and Implementation of Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)
The Consultant shall:
Develop a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP);
Establish quarterly beneficiary surveys conducted through participating organizations;
Ensure systematic documentation and analysis of stakeholder engagement activities.
3.10 Integration of Feedback into Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
The Consultant shall:
Integrate stakeholder feedback mechanisms into the Program’s M&E framework;
Coordinate with the M&E Specialist to introduce measurable indicators, including:
Number of consultations conducted;
Availability and use of grievance channels;
Analysis of complaints received;
Corrective actions undertaken;
Ensure inclusion of these indicators in regular Program reports.
3.11 Strengthening Data Protection and Cybersecurity Protocols
The Consultant shall:
Assess existing data protection policies and confidentiality procedures within PFIs;
Verify the existence of data protection provisions in student loan management systems;
Liaise with bank IT and security departments to review internal data protection regulations;
Provide recommendations to mitigate social risks related to personal data misuse, discrimination, or confidentiality breaches.
The Consultant’s role is advisory and compliance-oriented, focusing on social risk implications rather than technical IT system development.
3.12 Development of the Environmental and Social Chapter of the POM
The E&S Specialist shall serve as the technical focal point for environmental and social matters in preparation of the POM and shall work closely with the POM Consultant.
The Specialist shall:
Draft the Environmental and Social chapter of the POM;
Ensure that the POM fully reflects ESCP commitments;
Integrate relevant E&S provisions derived from the PAP into the POM;
Define institutional roles and responsibilities for E&S management;
Establish E&S screening and risk management procedures applicable to Grant activities;
Integrate Labor Management Procedures (LMP) into the POM;
Integrate GRM procedures into the POM;
Define monitoring, reporting, and documentation arrangements;
Review draft versions of the POM and provide written technical clearance of E&S sections prior to submission to the World Bank.
The Specialist shall ensure that the POM translates ESCP obligations and relevant PAP actions into practical and implementable procedures.
4. Deliverables and Timeline
No.
Deliverable
Timeline (from contract signing)
Amounts
1
Inception Report
Within 2 weeks
5 %
2
Capacity Building of Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs)
Within 2 months
10 %
3
Development and Implementation of Social Inclusion Guidelines
Within 2 months
10 %
4
Strengthening of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)
Within 3 months
10 %
5
Establishment of a Unified, Publicly Disclosed GRM
Within 3 months
10 %
6
Development of a Code of Conduct
Within 4 months
10 %
7
Confidential Mechanism for Sensitive Complaints (SEA/SH)
Within 4 months
10 %
8
Independent Review of Borrower Selection Process
Within 5 months
10 %
9
Conduct and document Stakeholder Consultations
Within 6 months
10 %
10
Development and Implementation of Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)
Within 6 months
10 %
11
Integration of Feedback into Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Within 6 months
5 %
5. Implementation Arrangements
5.1. The Consultant shall report directly to the Head/Manager of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) established under the Education Credit Financing Fund under the MEF, or another designated official.
The Consultant shall work closely with:
a) the relevant Consultant working on the development of the POM
b) relevant departments of the MEF, the Education Credit Financing Fund, and participating financial institutions;
c) other technical consultants engaged under the Grant; and
d) the World Bank Task Team, as required through the MEF.
The Consultant shall act as the focal point for environmental and social compliance support under the Grant.
5.2. Deliverable Acceptance Criteria
The Consultant’s performance under this lump-sum contract shall be assessed based on the satisfactory completion and acceptance of deliverables.
Each deliverable shall be subject to review and approval by the Client (MEF), in consultation with the World Bank as required. A deliverable shall be considered accepted if it:
a) is submitted within the agreed timeline;
b) complies with the requirements set out in these Terms of Reference;
c) demonstrates technical quality and completeness in line with applicable World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) requirements;
d) incorporates comments and feedback provided by the Client and/or the World Bank; and
e) is formally approved in writing by the Client.
In case revisions are required, the Consultant shall address all comments and resubmit the deliverable within a reasonable timeframe agreed with the Client.
6. Compliance
The assignment shall be carried out in accordance with:
GFPP Preparation Grant No. TF0C8875;
Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP);
relevant actions under the Program Action Plan (PAP);
World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF);
World Bank's PforR Core Principles
World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (September 2025);
World Bank Anti-Corruption Guidelines.
7. Qualifications and Experience
The Specialist shall have:
University degree in Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, Public Policy, or related field (Master’s degree preferred but not mandatory);
At least 5 years of professional experience in environmental and/or social risk management;
Experience working on projects financed by International Financial Institution, organizations (experience with World Bank projects is an advantage);
Experience drafting operational procedures or manuals is desirable;
Familiarity with grievance redresses mechanisms, conducting stakeholder/public consultation and labor management issues;
Good analytical and communication skills;
Fluency in English, Uzbek and Russian (written and spoken) is required;
Ability to work effectively with government institutions and multidisciplinary teams.
8 . Duration, Level of Effort, and Payment Schedule
The assignment duration shall be four (6) months from contract signing.
The contract type is individual consultancy (lump-sum) .
The Consultant is expected to provide full-time input during the assignment period.
The lump-sum contract price shall be paid against accepted deliverables in the following indicative schedule:
5% upon acceptance of Deliverable 1 (Inception Report);
10% upon acceptance of Deliverables 2;
10% upon acceptance of Deliverable 3;
10% upon acceptance of Deliverables 4;
10% upon acceptance of Deliverables 5;
10% upon acceptance of Deliverables 6;
10% upon acceptance of Deliverables 7;
10% upon acceptance of Deliverables 8;
10% upon acceptance of Deliverables 9;
10% upon acceptance of Deliverables 10;
5% upon acceptance of Deliverable 11.
Any payment shall be made only upon acceptance of the corresponding deliverable(s) by the MEF, in accordance with the contract terms.
9. Confidentiality
All documents, data, and information produced or accessed under this assignment shall remain the property of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and shall not be disclosed without prior written consent.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form in English or Russian languages to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by April 13, 2026.
Uzbekistan, 100017, Tashkent, Niyozbek yo'li, 1
Tel:(+99897) 447-86-11
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: https://www.imv.uz/
Abdurashid Abdurakhmanov