Project ID: P168180

Project Title: Institutional Capacity Building Project

Borrower Bid Reference: UZ-MOF-INDV-TRANSFORMATION

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION) 

Uzbekistan

Institutional Capacity Building Project

Credit No.: IDA 6431-UZ 

Assignment Title: International Consultant of the Department for the Transformation of Large Enterprises with the Participation of the State.

Reference No.: UZ-MOF-INDV-TRANSFORMATION

The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Institutional Capacity Building Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The Ministry of Finance, as an authorized body exercising the functions of a shareholder on behalf of the state, seeks to effectively fulfill the functions of a shareholder of large state-owned enterprises, thereby helping enterprises to become more competitive, efficient and more transparent.

          The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan now invites eligible Individual Consultants (“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 (reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, availability, etc.) submitting directly to the [email protected].

The shortlisting criteria are:

- higher education, master’s degree (in the field of Finance, Economics, Commercial law);

- at least 8 years of experience and knowledge in high (including managerial) positions in the field of corporate governance, reform and restructuring of large enterprises, as well as coordination of the privatization process and implementation of program documents;

- having a sufficient understanding of the ongoing reforms to transform large enterprises in the CIS countries and knowledge of the Russian language are encouraged;

- having experience in basic industries (i.e. fuel and energy, mining and metallurgical, geological, chemical, transport and other industries).

- Fluency in English language.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated July 2016, revised in November 2017, August 2018 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. Tashkent time.

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 December 17, 2021. 

Project Implementation Unit under the
Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Attn: Foziljon Kalandarov, Manager of the Project

Uzbekistan, 100017, Tashkent city, 29, Istiklol St.

Tel: +998907380050

E-mail: [email protected]

TERMS of REFERENCE 

for an international consultant of the Department for the transformation
of large enterprises with the participation of the state

1. Background information

This technical assignment describes the basic conditions and requirements for the development of corporate governance mechanisms of the Department
for the transformation of large enterprises with the participation of the state (hereinafter referred to as the Department) in accordance with the best international practices and standards.

In order to create broader opportunities for participation in the reform process
of private capital, reduce the participation of the state in the economy and further improve the competitive environment there is a strong need in further actions SOE transformation. (Presidential Decree UP-6096 of 27.10.2020 "On measures
to accelerate the reforms of state-owned assets involving privatization of the state owned enterprises").

To ensure the full functioning of the department, there is a strong need in attraction experienced foreign advisors. Under the Institutional Capacity Building project, the government of Uzbekistan received funding from the World Bank
to cover the expenditures for building the capacity of government institutions involved in the management reform of state-owned enterprises, banks and their further privatization process.

It is important to note that the Ministry of Finance is currently reviewing the composition of the supervisory boards and managerial positions of boards in order to include independent members with international experience into the structure.

2. Objectives of the assignment

The Ministry of Finance, as an authorized body exercising the functions
of a shareholder on behalf of the state, seeks to effectively fulfill the functions
of a shareholder of large state-owned enterprises, thereby helping enterprises to become more competitive, efficient and more transparent.

The Ministry of Finance was tasked with improving the corporate governance system of large enterprises in accordance with international standards and experience in order to improve and increase the efficiency in the functioning of state-owned enterprises, as a result, with a subsequent reduction in fiscal risks and budget expenditures. 

3. Scope of work

Individual consultant's functional responsibilities include providing advisory
and methodological support to the Ministry of Finance in organizing the Department's work, as well as advising on issues regarding shareholder decision-making process
(for large enterprises in which the Ministry of Finance performs as a shareholder
on behalf of the state).

The consultant's activities also involve his constant participation
as a coordinator of the activities of the supervisory boards of SOE, including
the development of a methodology for assessing their efficiency.

The main functional responsibilities of a consultant include:

- participation in the modification of the organizational structure of state-owned enterprises with the reviewing of international best practices (including an assessment of the possibility of establishing closer cooperation or merging adjacent
or functionally overlapping operational units and departments of state-owned enterprises);

- coordination of the transformation process of large SOE in accordance with successful world practice;

- study and analysis of reports/opinions of international consulting companies and international financial institutions.

- based on the results of the study, coordinate the consulting companies with a critical assessment to identify and eliminate pitfalls and omissions;

- analysis of fiscal risks of state-owned enterprises;

- participation in the selection process of independent candidates to the supervisory boards of enterprises with the participation of the state;

- development and cooperation in increasing SOE investment attractiveness;

- provision of (advisory) support in strengthening corporate governance mechanisms in large state-owned enterprises, bringing it in line with international standards. 

4. Commitment and accountability  

The consultant will coordinate his activities with the First Deputy Minister
of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as with the Director of the Department for the transformation of large enterprises with state participation.

The consultant will be given access to information (reports, regulatory documents). In turn, the Ministry of Finance will provide assistants to assist the consultant with technical issues and procedures.

Based on the results of the work performed, the consultant will quarterly submit reports on the work performed to the Director of the Department for the transformation of large enterprises with the participation of the state (Ministry of Finance), which reflects the main work performed on the progress of the transformation of state-owned enterprises, as well as recommendations for further actions of the department. 

5. Languages

The consultant will carry out his activities in English. Knowledge of the Russian language is encouraged. 

6. Qualification requirements 

The consultant must meet at least the following requirements:

- higher education, master’s degree (in the field of Finance, Economics, Commercial law);

- at least 8 years of experience and knowledge in high (including managerial) positions in the field of corporate governance, reform and restructuring of large enterprises, as well as coordination of the privatization process and implementation of program documents;

- fluency in English, knowledge of the Russian language is encouraged;

- having a sufficient understanding of the ongoing reforms to transform large enterprises of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

- having experience in basic industries (i.e. fuel and energy, mining and metallurgical, geological, chemical, transport and other industries).

7. Duration

The consultant is expected to work for 24 months.

Besides, the organization of the consultant’s work schedule will be as follows:

The consultant will be located in Tashkent during 2 months and perform remotely for a 1 month respectively.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Organization/Department Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Name Ahadbek Khaydarov
Address 29, Istiklol str. Tashkent
City 
Province/State Uzbekistan
Postal Code 
Country Uzbekistan
Phone + 998 71 2394646
Email [email protected]
Website www.mf.uz