National Consultant - Business and Financial Literacy Trainer, Tashkent

Project Context and Scope

Within the framework of the Sweden-funded project Sweden's 2024/5 Contribution to Support IOM'S Work on Prevention of Irregular Migration to Sweden and the EU in Uzbekistan, IOM is working to empower communities with high rates of emigration and return to develop sustainable alternatives to irregular migration. The project supports inclusive, community-based responses that increase awareness of risks of irregular migration and strengthen the capacity of individuals and institutions to build resilience to it at the local level. Informed by IOM’s Community-Based Planning (CBP) methodology, the approach ensures that solutions are tailored to the specific needs and priorities of each community.

In this context, community members — particularly returnee migrants, potential migrants, women, and youth — will be engaged in local consultations and facilitated discussions to identify the drivers of irregular migration and propose collective, locally owned responses. These inputs will lead to the development of Community-Driven Action Plans (CDAPs) in selected mahallas. These plans reflect both the risks faced by communities and the opportunities they can harness to promote safe and regular migration alternatives.

To support the implementation of CDAPs, the project includes capacity-building activities aimed at equipping vulnerable populations with practical tools for economic self-reliance. Business literacy training is identified as a key priority in local communities, with a strong emphasis on developing small-scale entrepreneurship, home-based work, and access to financial and administrative tools necessary for launching and managing businesses.

The business literacy training will contribute directly to Output 3.2 of the project, which aims to strengthen the capacity of local stakeholders and community members to develop and coordinate community-led solutions that reduce the pressure to migrate irregularly. These trainings will help create sustainable income-generation pathways, thereby improving economic resilience and supporting the long-term reintegration of returnees within their communities.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Migrants Assistance and Protection Unit, IOM Uzbekistan  Tasks to be performed under this contract – under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Assistant and overall coordination from the Chief of Mission (CoM).
To equip target community members with foundational business and financial knowledge and practical skills for launching and managing small-scale, community-responsive entrepreneurial activities that align with CDAPs, thereby reducing reliance on irregular migration IOM is hiring a consultant B to complete the following tasks: 
1.  Review CDAPs and Community Needs Assessments 
•     Analyze the community-driven action plans and identify relevant economic priorities, skills gaps, and business opportunities in each target mahalla. 
2.  Design Training Modules 
•     Develop a culturally appropriate and accessible business and financial literacy training agenda and curriculum tailored to the socio-economic context of each community. 
•     Training topics must include at least: 
o    Self-employment and home-based business models 
o    Family entrepreneurship and small enterprise development 
o    Business planning and registration procedures 
o    Access to finance (e.g., loans, microcredit) 
o    Budgeting and financial management 
o    Marketing basics 
o    Business administration and operations 
•     Prepare training modules and materials, including presentations, handouts, case studies, practical exercises, and pre- and post-evaluation questionnaires and submit for the approval of IOM. 
•     The training materials are to be finalized at least two weeks prior to the training date ensuring the visibility of IOM and donors are included and update it as per the recommendations of IOM. 
3.  Deliver Business Literacy Trainings 
•     Conduct 2-days in-person trainings in at least 5 regions (based on selected mahallas), with a special focus on women and youth. 
•     Facilitate interactive sessions with group work, role plays and community-based examples. 
•     Provide mentoring to participants during the training on developing draft business plans. 
•     Ensure participatory methods and use of local languages when applicable. 
4. Evaluate and Report 
•     Conduct pre- and post-training evaluations to measure knowledge acquisition. 
•     Submit a final report including training methodology, summary of activities, results, participant feedback, and recommendations for follow-up. 
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
1. Submission of agenda, presentations, handouts, pre/post evaluation questionnaire and other training materials - 40% of fee upon submission of all materials 
2. Conduction of the training and submission of the Final report - 60% of fee upon submission of the Final report

Bidders are required to submit a separate financial proposal, including a detailed price schedule, as part of their application. Education

University degree in Business, Economics, Development Studies, or related field. Experience

•     Proven experience in entrepreneurship training, small business development, or livelihood support, particularly in rural and low-income settings.
•     Familiarity with the context of migration and reintegration in Uzbekistan is highly desirable.
•     Demonstrated ability to design participatory, community-focused training.
•     Cultural sensitivity and ability to engage with local communities, authorities, and diverse populations (including migrants and vulnerable groups).
•     Excellent communication skills in Uzbek and English; Russian is an asset.
•     Experience working with women and youth in vulnerable settings is an advantage.

Languages Uzbek and English are required; Russian is an asset.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 In-country transportation, accommodation and meals at the training location are covered by IOM. 
All other work to be done on ‘home-based’ mode in close coordination with IOM.

Purpose of Assignment and Scope of the work

All work assignments under this contract shall take place both home-based and within Uzbekistan, Central Asia and it will be assumed that the service provider is in Uzbekistan and holds the responsibility to ensure all permissions to work in the country. The material will be credited to IOM Uzbekistan. All original materials will be handed over to IOM Uzbekistan and will remain IOM Uzbekistan property. Each work assignment shall be discussed in advance and a specific contract (Purchase Order) describing the nature of the job request, timeframe, and budget, shall be issued. Assignments will be requested and managed by the Migrants Assistance and Protection unit in IOM Uzbekistan country office. All copyrights of material produced in the performance of this contract is vested exclusively in IOM Uzbekistan. Any use of the material by the service provider, should be made with written prior consent of IOM Uzbekistan Chief of Mission.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