Closing date

10 July 2025

Project Manager; Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Republic of Tajikistan
Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project
Consulting Services
Contract No: MOES/LEARN/S/2025-26

Position: Project Manager
Issuance Date: 20 June 2025
Closing Date/Time: 10 July 2025, 17:00 (Dushanbe Time)

BACKGROUND

The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan has received grant funding in the amount of US$50.0 million from the World Bank for the implementation of the "Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project” (the Project, LEARN) during 2023-2029. The Project will be implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science (MOES), and in close coordination with the Agency for Supervision in the Sphere of Education and Science (ASSES).

The Project Development (PDO) is to enhance the quality of teaching and learning environments in selected general secondary schools. “Teaching and Learning environment” in this project refers to the complete physical, social, and pedagogical context in which learning is intended to occur. The teaching and learning environment in this project is defined as consisting of the skills and competencies of teachers and physical learning spaces where learning occurs[1]. It is school settings (not just classrooms) and contexts in which students learn and teachers teach within the school premises.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Project Manager provides technical and managerial assistance to the MOES and ASES in effectively implementing Project activities. S/he also ensures coordination and flow of information between and among those implementing entities. The Project Manager is responsible for the quality assurance of all Project products and for the quality of all documents submitted to WB by the MoES.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE SCOPE OF WORK

Under the supervision of the Deputy Minister for economic issues of the MoES, the Project Manager will: 

  • Oversee the day-to-day management of project activities, ensuring timely and effective implementation of all components and achievement of the PDO.
  • Develop and maintain a detailed, up-to-date project implementation plan, including timelines, deliverables, and responsibilities.
  • Ensure strict compliance with project legal agreements, procurement regulations, financial management policies, and the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP).
  • Coordinate the work of various project Interagency Working Groups.
  • Develop, monitor, and update annual work programs, budgets, and procurement plans in coordination with stakeholders.
  • Supervise the preparation and timely submission of all required reports, including progress, audit, and completion reports, to relevant authorities and funding partners.
  • Serve as the primary liaison between the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), development partners and other key stakeholders.
  • Ensure alignment and synergy across all project components by working closely with relevant MoES departments, units, and teams.
  • Monitor and ensure the transparent and efficient use of project funds in accordance with the approved procurement plan and budget.
  • Oversee and ensure procurement processing is conducted in accordance with the World Bank Regulations and internal government clearance procedures.
  • Facilitate the timely preparation and submission of financial statements, withdrawal applications, and audited financed statements.
  • Supervise the project implementation team, including consultants and technical specialists, ensuring high performance and adherence to plans.
  • Conduct annual performance reviews and implement capacity-building initiatives for team members to enhance their effectiveness.
  • Foster a collaborative and communicative work environment among team members and external consultants.
  • Oversee implementation monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to track the progress and results of project activities.
  • Analyze data and consolidate inputs from all project components to prepare comprehensive progress and completion reports.
  • Implement necessary adjustments to project activities based on findings from M&E processes.
  • Oversee effective implementation of the GRM as per the agreed procedures, assigning personnel to all GRM up-take points.
  • Represent the project in government meetings, forums, and public events, promoting the project's objectives and achievements.
  • Develop and execute communication campaigns to inform stakeholders about project goals, progress, and outcomes.
  • Identify and address risks that may impede project implementation, proposing mitigation strategies.
  • Propose and implement changes to the Project Operations Manual (POM) as necessary, with approvals from relevant authorities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The Project Manager should have the following qualifications: 

  • Higher education in the field of management, public administration, economics, education or relevant areas;
  • At least 8 years of experience in managing a work of multitasked professional teams preferably in human development sector.
  • At least 4 years of experience in managing donor funded projects; previous experience in implementing the World Bank financed projects, especially in the education sector, is an advantage;
  • Good knowledge and experience in education system of Tajikistan (of primary and secondary education);
  • Good knowledge of project cycle, procurement and financial management;
  • Ability to think strategically and translate ideas into plans and actions;
  • Strong verbal communication and report writing skills;
  • Strong People management and activity coordination skills;
  • Excellent command of Russian, Tajik, and English.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.

ASSIGNMENT DETAILS

  • Location: Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
  • Duration: The Project Manager is expected to begin the assignment in July 2025 on a full-time basis.
  • Reporting: The Project Manager will be accountable to the Project Director who is the Deputy Minister on Economic Issues (DMEI) of the MoES on day-to-day project activities.
  • Client’s input: The MOES shall provide an office space and necessary equipment during his/her tenure of service in the MOES of Tajikistan. The Project Manager is expected to work full time (office hours) and will be based in the Project LEARN office in Dushanbe.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants should submit their CV, a cover letter in Russian and English, and contact details of two recent professional references (full name, position, organization, phone, and email) to the following email addresses:

Please ensure the position title is included in the subject line of your email.

The deadline for submitting applications is 10 July 2025, by 17:00 (Dushanbe time).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The attention of interested consultants is drawn to Sections III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” (July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, and November 2020), which outlines the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

For further inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Muzaffarzoda Badriddin
Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the

Republic of Tajikistan/Director of the Learning 

Environment – Foundation of Quality Project (LEARN)

Nisormuhammad str. 13a, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

coordinator.learn.tjk@gmail.com 

 

[1] Schools that are designed based on principles of improving teaching and learning environment efficiency – both in terms of fostering of learning outcomes and efficiency of construction – lead to better collaboration and experimentation by children and allow use of modern pedagogical techniques.