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For every child, protection!

The Government of Uzbekistan is advancing a comprehensive reform of its Public Financial Management (PFM) system to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, accountability, and equity of public spending. The PFM Reform Strategy for 2021–2024, which is now reinforced by the newly adopted PFM Reform Strategy for 2025–2030 charts a transition toward results-oriented budgeting, including the rollout of medium-term expenditure frameworks, integration of off-budget resources, and the institutionalization of programme-based budgeting (PBB) and Results-Based Management (RBM) across public institutions. In line with this agenda, Presidential Resolution No. PP-455 dd 25 December 2024 and the 2025 State Budget Law require six central ministries and agencies, including the National Agency of Social Protection (NASP) under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to prepare programme budgets, while also establishing internal units for budget programme formulation, coordination, and monitoring.

NASP is responsible for coordinating and delivering an integrated and equitable social protection system. The programmes administered by NASP serve more than 5 million children, women, and persons with disabilities, providing critical support through benefits and services. Ensuring that public resources allocated to social protection are used adequately, effectively, efficiently, equitably, and transparently is essential to fulfil NASP’s mandate. In this context, institutionalizing RBM and PBB within NASP is considered a critical step toward aligning financial planning with strategic policy priorities and improving social outcomes.

UNICEF, as a long-standing partner of the Government of Uzbekistan, has been supporting both PFM and social protection reforms with a strong focus on integrating child-sensitive approaches into planning and budgeting of social protection benefits and services. Through its Public Finance for Children (PF4C) agenda, UNICEF has supported the development of national PBB regulations, conducted assessments of PBB implementation, developed technical manuals, and delivered targeted training for over 135 officials working in child-sensitive social sectors. It has also supported applying results-based planning and budgeting in local governance of six pilot cities.

As one of the key institutions mandated to implement RBM and PBB by 2026, NASP requires targeted technical support to design and operationalize a results-oriented planning, budgeting, and monitoring system that ensures child-sensitive and equitable service delivery. In this context, UNICEF is seeking to engage a national consultant to work alongside an international consultant in supporting NASP and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MoEF) in piloting and institutionalizing RBM and PBB within the social protection sector—thereby contributing to a more strategic, transparent, and equitable allocation and use of public resources for children, adolescents, and families.

PURPOSE OF ACTIVITY/ASSIGNMENT:

The purpose of this assignment is to support the International Consultant in providing technical assistance to NASP and MoEF to design, pilot, and implement RBM and PBB frameworks, tools, and processes. The National Consultant will support coordination, local contextualization, data collection, stakeholder communication, and capacity-building activities aimed at enhancing NASP’s results-based planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting.

Specific objectives include:

• Assisting the International Consultant in developing RBM and PBB frameworks and methodologies tailored to NASP functions.
• Supporting the integration of NASP’s strategic plans with programme budgets, including the formulation and contextual adaptation of performance indicators and child-sensitive budgeting mechanisms.
• Facilitating institutional and staff capacity strengthening through supporting training, mentoring sessions, and technical guidance activities.
• Supporting the establishment and operationalization of an effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system aligned with RBM/PBB principles.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The National consultant will undertake tasks that complement the scope and focus of assignment to be undertaken by the International consultant. He/She is expected to accomplish the work with the following scope and focus:

1. Information Gathering and Local Contextualization

• Provide assistance to the international consultant in understanding and navigating national administrative procedures, protocols, and other nuances relevant to the development of PBB and fiscal reforms.
• Collect, collate, and provide contextual information and data required by the International Consultant, focusing specifically on Uzbekistan’s local context regarding PFM and social protection systems and reforms.
• Identify, organize and summarize key legislation, guidelines, reports and other documents relevant to the assignment from NASP, MoEF, UNICEF, and other international and national stakeholders.
• Verify data accuracy and quality (e.g., budget and social protection indicators) through official state statistics and reports available for Uzbekistan via government portals, IFIs and UN organizations.

2. Stakeholder Coordination and Communication

• Serve as a primary liaison between the International Consultant and national stakeholders, ensuring smooth and timely communication.
• Assist in scheduling, organizing, and managing interviews, meetings, and consultations, including drafting and circulating agendas, taking minutes, and following up on agreed actions.
• In the absence of interpreters, provide support in clarifying contextual information and/or interpreting key messages during meetings, workshops, or consultations involving national partners who are not fluent in English or Russian

3. Logistical and Administrative Support

• In coordination with Programme Associate for UNICEF Social Policy section as well as assigned focal points from NASP and MoEF, be responsible for organizing workshops, training sessions, and stakeholder validation events, managing all logistical arrangements including venues, invitations, materials preparation, and participant confirmations.
• Provide logistical support for international consultant visits and activities in Uzbekistan.

4. Facilitation of Capacity Building Activities

• Support in documenting relevant national/local examples (e.g., case studies from Uzbekistan’s social protection programs) for integration into training materials.
• Support the International Consultant in contextualizing and arranging translation of the training materials and manuals between English, Uzbek and Russian languages.
• Coordinate the participation of identified staff from NASP and MoEF in capacity-building sessions, workshops, and trainings.
• Assist in processing questionnaires following workshop or training sessions, including summarizing responses, systematizing content, and translating feedback as required.

5. Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of meetings, consultations, and workshops, compiling these into concise, actionable reports.
• Regularly update UNICEF and the International Consultant on task progress, emerging issues, and stakeholder feedback.

6. Support Piloting and Implementation Activities

• Facilitate practical implementation and piloting sessions, ensuring local teams are effectively engaged and informed.
• Provide practical support and troubleshooting during the pilot phase, reporting key findings and issues to the International Consultant.

7. Monitoring and Follow-up

• Conduct routine follow-ups with NASP and MoEF to ensure agreed actions and recommendations are implemented timely.
• Assist in developing localized and practical monitoring procedures and mechanisms based on international consultant's recommendations.

Tasks - Deliverables - Timeframe

Phase 1: Information Gathering and Initial Coordination

1. Facilitate initial coordination meetings and communication between stakeholders - 1.1. Documented meeting agendas, minutes of the discussion and agreed action points - 2 w.d.

2. Support conducting the desk review by compiling legislative documents, reports, guidelines and other documents regarding PFM, RBM/PBB and social protection systems and reforms - 2.1. Finalized document inventory, data verification report and brief report summarizing the document content and relevance to the accomplishment of the assignment - 5 w.d.

3. Support to organize workshop “Introduction to RBM and PBB for Social Protection”

3.1. Brief report on the support provided to finalize workshop package, including documentation of relevant national/local examples for case study exercises, review for local contextualization, and arrange translation of relevant documents, including concept, agenda, slides, exercises, manuals, handouts - 3 w.d.

3.2. Completed logistical arrangements including confirmed participant lists, venues, catering, production of handout materials, arranging needed audio, visual and translation equipment and support for delivering Workshop to NASP and MoEF staff - 4 w.d.

3.3. Report reflecting processed questionnaires following the workshop, including summarized responses, systematized content and feedback - 1 w.d.

Phase 2: Diagnostics Review Facilitation

4. Support in finalizing the diagnostic review of NASP system and budget programmes 4.1. Review of both draft and final reports to ensure that (i) the assessment findings; (ii) the recommendations for strengthening NASP’s planning, budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation systems through the implementation of Results-Based Management (RBM) and Programme-Based Budgeting (PBB); and (iii) the proposed action plan for RBM and PBB implementation within NASP, accurately reflect and are aligned with relevant legislative documents, reports, guidelines, and other materials pertaining to public financial management (PFM), RBM/PBB, and social protection system reforms - 4 w.d.

5. Schedule and facilitate meetings to conduct diagnostic review meetings and presentation of draft and final report findings, recommendations and action plans

5.1. Brief report outlining the programmatic support provided in finalizing the agenda and the presentation and facilitating the validation of findings, recommendations, and action points with senior management and staff of NASP and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MoEF), including tasks such as finalizing the agenda, translation coordination, preparation and quality assurance of presentation materials - 3 w.d.

5.2. Completion of all logistical arrangements, including confirmation of participant lists; booking and setup of venues; coordination of catering services; preparation and printing of handout materials; and arrangement of required audio-visual and translation equipment and support - 4 w.d.

5.3. Documented meeting agendas, records of discussions, stakeholder feedback, agreed action points, and participant attendance sheets - 1 w.d.

Phase 3: Development of Frameworks and Tools

6. Liaise with NASP and MoEF teams to ensure coordinated review and timely inputs to framework development

6.1. Translated and locally adapted versions of RBM/PBB frameworks, programme structures, indicators, and SOPs - 5 w.d.

6.2. A documented summary matrix of feedback from NASP and MoEF stakeholders, with clear annotations for consideration by the International Consultant, accompanied by periodic internal update notes and status reports tracking the collection of feedback and follow-up actions with national stakeholders - 5 w.d.

6.3. Confirmed list of participants, venues, and logistical arrangements for consultations and validation events -3 w.d.

Phase 4: Training of Trainers (ToT) on developed frameworks and tools for NASP and MoEF staff for roll-out of trainings in sub-structures of NASP

7. Support to organize ToT 7.1. Brief report on the support provided to finalize ToT package, including review for local contextualization and arrange translation of relevant documents, including concept, agenda, slides, exercises, manuals, handouts - 5 w.d.

7.2. Completed logistical arrangements including confirmed participant lists, venues, catering, production of handout materials, arranging needed audio, visual and translation equipment and support for delivering Workshop to NASP and MoEF staff - 5 w.d.

Phase 5: Technical Support and Sustainability Measures

8. Support in providing coaching/mentoring NASP and MoEF

8.1. Documentation of piloting activities, including implementation challenges, practical lessons, recommendations and feedbacks from stakeholders - 9 w.d.

8.2. Final report on accomplished deliverables, which includes self-reflected assessment of the work accomplished, challenges, lessons, and future recommendations - 1 w.d.

The final budget will be determined following the review of the submitted technical and financial proposals and based on “the best value for money” principle.

Please submit a professional fee (in USD) to undertake this assignment, without travel fees as this will be reimbursed as and when they take place.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• University degree in economics, public policy, public administration, social policy or any other relevant field. 
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in public administration, PFM, or social protection systems in Uzbekistan.
• Experience in supporting coordination, documentation, data verification, stakeholder engagement, or logistical support in development or reform projects.
• Experience in organizing capacity-building workshops, training sessions, and consultations (at least 2 events).
• Excellent command of Uzbek, Russian and English (oral and written). 
• Good knowledge of Uzbekistan’s public sector environment, NASP/MoEF procedures, and social protection landscape.
• Proven organizational, communication and coordination skills (verified through references or documented experience).
• Ability to verify data, synthesize and summarize inputs from diverse sources

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.