Individual Consultant for Designing an Impact Evaluation of the Economic Inclusion Program (EIP) in Tajikistan

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Country: Republic of Tajikistan

Project name: Social Protection Modernization and Economic Inclusion Project

Project number: P178878

Grant No. E1600-TJ

Implementation agency: Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan

The Government of Tajikistan received a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group (WBG) for the implementation of the “Social Protection Modernization and Economic Inclusion Project”. The project aims to support the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in protecting poor and vulnerable households from shocks, promoting economic inclusion and improving social safety nets.

The project will be implemented by  the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan (MLME).

The Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan (hereinafter MLME RT) with the assistance of the Project Implementation Unit (hereinafter PIU) within Component 2 (Support to Unemployed Including Labor Migrants) intends to hire an Individual Consultant for Designing an Impact Evaluation of the Economic Inclusion Program (EIP) in Tajikistan” to fulfill the necessary actions for timely implementation of the Project.

To achieve the objectives of Component 2, the Project will support MLME and employment agencies in improving their capacity, operational tools, and equipment to support job seekers through the implementation of three sub-components.

• Subcomponent 2.1. Strengthening employment services to support the Unemployed;

• Subcomponent 2.2. Enhancing economic inclusion (EIP);

• Subcomponent 2.3. Capacity building and awareness raising.

Project Description

The project development objective (PDO) is to support the Government of Tajikistan in protecting poor and vulnerable households from shocks, promoting economic inclusion, and improving social protection systems.

The purpose of the Assignment

The primary objective of this assignment is to design a robust impact evaluation of the EIP using a quasi-experimental methodology. The consultant will develop a detailed evaluation methodology, including a refined theory of change, sampling strategy, randomization process, data collection instruments, and a pre-analysis plan. Based on the methodology developed, a firm will subsequently be recruited to undertake the data collection activities. The design must allow for the credible measurement of the program’s impact on key household welfare indicators.

Qualification requirements for candidates are as follow:

1. –      Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Education: Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Development Economics, or a related field.
• Experience:

• At least 5 (five) years of work experience in designing and leading impact evaluations in international development contexts.
• Proven experience designing and implementing quasi-experimental evaluation methods in development contexts.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantitative evaluation methodologies.
• Familiarity with economic inclusion programs and the socio-economic context of Tajikistan (or similar countries).

• Skills:
  • Proficiency in statistical software (Stata, SPSS, R, or Python).
  • Ability to conduct power calculations and complex sampling design.
  • Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines.

• Languages: Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory. Knowledge of Russian or Tajik is a strong asset.

It is expected that the Assignment will start on 10 June, 2026 and will last through May, 2027 with a fixed amount. The consultant should be prepared to spend extended periods of time in Tajikistan for research, consultations, and support to the PIU.  During the implementation of the assignment, one visit to Tajikistan is planned.

The Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (CV, copy of documents evidencing appropriate qualifications and skills, experience and competence related to the task, description of similar tasks performed, references, etc). A consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers dated January 2011 with addition of November 2020. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 1.9 and 1.11 of the World Bank’s Guidelines setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest and eligibility. 

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 08:00 to 17:00 hours of Dushanbe/Tajikistan time.

Expressions of interest must be delivered or sent to the address below by May 18, 2026 before 15:00 Dushanbe time.

Link for ToR: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14GtHc25eMyyhAKS6w0TW42x0mWPeggq-/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108389776733573467728&rtpof=true&sd=true

Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment

of the Republic of Tajikistan Building of Labor

and Employment Agency, third floor,

Social Protection Modernization and Economic Inclusion Project.

5/1 Alisher Navoi str., Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Email: bsiyovush@gmail.com and jahonbek@gmail.com