Strategy Lead Consultant to develop the Strategy for the Provision of Financial Services, Tashkent

Project Context and Scope
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), together with the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, is developing a Strategy for the Provision of Financial Services in Support of Women’s Entrepreneurship. This strategic document aims to create a more inclusive financial environment for women by reducing gender gaps in access to capital, promoting leadership, and fostering sustainable entrepreneurship, including among women impacted by migration.
The Strategy Lead Consultant will be responsible for drafting the full strategy document, building on the research and stakeholder coordination conducted by the Strategy Development Coordinator, and ensuring alignment with IOM’s gender and migration frameworks.

Objective

The consultant will lead the development of a policy-relevant, gender-sensitive strategy that addresses structural, regulatory, and financial constraints affecting women entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Labour Mobility Division (LMD) Unit 

Tasks to be performed under this contract – under the direct supervision of the Head of LMD/Senior Programme Assistant and overall coordination from the Chief of Mission (CoM)

•     Develop a framework for promoting gender-inclusive economic and financial policies.
•     Formulate a comprehensive strategy to support women within SMEs by enhancing financial access, leadership, and entrepreneurial capacity.
•     Propose gender-sensitive financial products tailored to the needs of women entrepreneurs, including those with migration experience.
•     Analyse the data and evidence collected through surveys, desk reviews, and stakeholder consultations.
•     Identify regulatory and operational gaps in the financial ecosystem and propose actionable reforms.
•     Draft a research report summarizing methodology, findings, and key recommendations.
•     Provide forward-looking recommendations for strengthening institutional support systems, financing mechanisms, and business development services.
•     Maintain regular communication with IOM Uzbekistan and incorporate feedback into iterative drafts of the strategy.

Deliverables/Performance indicators for the evaluation of results Deliverable Description Timeline Payment First deliverable  Strategy outline and structure; Preliminary policy framework with draft goals and initial recommendations based on data analysis and coordination Within 5 weeks of contract start 30% upon approval Second deliverable  Final strategy document; Policy brief summary; Workshop presentation materials; Final research methodology and summary report By end of assignment 70% upon submission and approval Education, Experience and/or skills required

Advanced university degree in economics, development studies, finance, gender policy, or related disciplines;  Minimum 10 years of experience in strategic planning, gender-responsive policy design, or financial sector development; Demonstrated experience writing strategies or national policy frameworks for governments, central banks, or international agencies; Solid knowledge of inclusive finance principles and gender equality frameworks Excellent drafting, analytical, and presentation skills; Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Russian or Uzbek is an advantage. Languages Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Russian or Uzbek is an advantage. IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.   Travel required Travel based on activities and requirements Required Competencies   IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.   Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values: Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion. Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct. Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges. Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance. Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated. Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results. Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes. Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate. Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work. Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way. Notes Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, 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. IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts. IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application. For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies