REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION - OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS)
Republic of Uzbekistan
Project: Project Preparation for the Financial Inclusion for Growth, Returns, and Opportunities for Work (FINGROW) MPA Phase 1 Project (P181972 / P511700)
Assignment Title: International Expert on Strategic Economic Directions & Start-up Ecosystem Consultancy Service
Reference No.: IC-02
The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, through the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MoEF), is implementing project preparation activities for the Financial Inclusion for Growth, Returns, and Opportunities for Work (FINGROW) Project, financed by the World Bank under the Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP Grant No. TF0C8835).
In line with the SME Development Strategy 2025–2030 (Presidential Decree No. PD-50), the MoEF is establishing an Excellence Center (EC) to strengthen policy coordination, monitoring, and advisory support for SME and start-up development.
Within this framework, the MoEF intends to engage an International Individual Consultant to provide analytical, advisory, and strategic support to strengthen Uzbekistan's start-up ecosystem and contribute to the development of a long-term Start-up Development Strategy Concept 2035.
Scope of Services
The Consultant will work closely with the Department for Analysis, Support, and Coordination of State Policy for SME Development and the Excellence Center.
The assignment will focus on hands-on observation, structured engagement with start-ups, and evidence-based policy advisory, without duplicating incubation or acceleration services.
The key tasks include:
- Start-up Engagement and Accompaniment
- Select and accompany at least 20 start-ups through their interaction with incubators and ecosystem actors;
- Provide limited mentorship and guidance (business strategy, product development, financial modeling, investment readiness), while ensuring operational support is delivered by ecosystem institutions.
- Observation of Ecosystem Functioning
- Observe incubation and acceleration processes from the start-up perspective;
- Identify systemic bottlenecks, coordination failures, and gaps in support mechanisms.
- Ecosystem Diagnostics
- Analyze constraints faced by start-ups at different stages of growth;
- Assess gaps in incubation, acceleration, financing, and institutional coordination;
- Conduct consultations with ecosystem stakeholders (investors, accelerators, HEIs, public institutions).
- Policy and Regulatory Advisory
- Identify legal, regulatory, and institutional constraints affecting start-up development;
- Develop practical, implementation-oriented policy recommendations and reform proposals.
- Strategic Inputs to Start-up Development Concept 2035
- Provide analytical inputs to the development of a national Start-up Development Strategy Concept 2035, including:
- Vision and strategic priorities
- Institutional coordination mechanisms
- Financing architecture (public/private/blended)
- Monitoring and evaluation framework
Duration and Duty Station
Duration: Up to 12 months (with possible extension based on performance and project needs)
Duty Station: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
The Consultant is expected to spend approximately 50% of working time in-country, including regular presence at the MoEF and periodic regional field missions across Uzbekistan.
Eligibility and Qualification Requirements
The Consultant should meet the following minimum requirements:
- At least 10 years of relevant international professional experience in start-up development, entrepreneurship support, venture capital, innovation ecosystems, or related fields;
- Demonstrated hands-on experience in mentoring start-ups and supporting investment readiness;
- Proven knowledge of venture financing mechanisms (VC, angel investment, incubators, accelerators);
- Experience in analyzing policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks affecting start-ups and translating findings into actionable recommendations;
- Experience working with governments and/or international organizations, preferably in developing or transition economies (Central Asia experience is an advantage);
- Strong analytical, advisory, and communication skills;
- Fluency in English; knowledge of Russian and/or Uzbek is an asset.
HOW TO APPLY:
Submission Requirements
Interested consultants are invited to submit:
Letter of Expression of Interest
Curriculum Vitae (CV) demonstrating relevant qualifications and experience
Optional:
Examples of relevant reports/publications
Brief description of proposed methodology (maximum 2 pages)
Selection Method
The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection (ICS) method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers.
Interested applicants should familiarize themselves with the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest as set forth in paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations.
Submission Details
Expressions of Interest must be submitted by e-mail to the address below no later than 17:00 (Tashkent time), April 20, 2026.
Project Management Unit (PMU)
Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan
1 Niyozbek Yuli Street
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Attn: Mr. Alibek Narboev, Head of PMU
Tel: +998 90 176 8877 / +998 90 047 8227