Cross-Functional Strategy and Alignment Expert 2 (Budget Planning)

Project: P504171 - Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program Reference: LEARN-2.6-CC-4 Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Financing: World Bank REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (LEARN-2.6--4 - Cross-Functional Strategy and Alignment Expert 2 (Budget Planning) UKRAINE Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program GPE TF0D0613 Assignment Title: Cross-Functional Strategy and Alignment Expert 2 (Budget Planning) No . LEARN-2.6--4 Ukraine with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association (hereinafter referred to as the World Bank) have signed the agreements for the Program “Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine” (hereinafter referred to as the LEARN or Operation). LEARN was developed to address critical challenges and provide essential support to the education sector, aligning with the Ministry of Education and Science’s (MoES) Strategic Action Plan. The objectives of the Operation are to (i) improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) strengthen management capacity of the education system. The objective of this assignment is to support the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES) in aligning budget planning and public financial management processes with the strategic priorities of the education sector and the implementation of flagship national programmes and reforms. In particular, the assignment will contribute to the effective planning, prioritisation, financing, and coordination of key initiatives. The Consultant will support the development of effective planning and resource allocation approaches aimed at improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of public expenditure, strengthening evidence-based decision-making, and ensuring better alignment between strategic objectives, reform implementation, and available financial resources. The Consultant will be contracted through competitive selection in line with the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”). The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. MOES now invites qualified interested persons to submit their expression of interest in Ukrainian and English as provided in the Terms of reference. The detailed Terms of Reference and submission modalities for the assignment are attached to this Request for Expression of Interest. The deadline for submission of applications is 14:00 am Kyiv time July 31, 2026. TERMS OF REFERENCE for Consulting Services (Individual Consultant) Cross-Functional Strategy and Alignment Expert 2 (Budget Planning) Contract No. LEARN-2.6-CC-4 Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Project GPE TF0D0613 I. Background Ukraine with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association (hereinafter referred to as the World Bank) have signed the agreements for the Program “Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine” (hereinafter referred to as the LEARN or Operation). LEARN was designed to address critical issues and provide the necessary support to the education sector in accordance with the Strategic Action Plan of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine until 2027, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated 07.03.2024 No. 276 (hereinafter referred to as the Strategic Plan). The Operation focuses on supporting the priorities “1. Early Childhood and Preschool Education” and “2. Reform of the “New Ukrainian School” stipulated in the Strategic Plan. The LEARN objectives are: (i) to improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) to strengthen the management capacity of the education system. The total LEARN financing amounts to US$737 mln provides a combination of the World Bank financing instruments: Program for Results (PforR) - US$675.9 mln and Investment Project Financing (IPF) - US$61.1 mln. The Program-for-Results (PforR) is implemented through a US$235 million loan provided by Bank resources, supported by loan enhancement from the Advancing Needed Credit Enhancement for Ukraine (ADVANCE Ukraine) Trust Fund, which is backed by the Government of Japan. This is formalized under the Loan Agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the Program ( LOAN No 9721-UA ). An additional US$150 million is provided under the Special Program for Ukraine and Moldova Recovery (SPUR) of the International Development Association (IDA) Crisis Facility, as outlined in the Financing Agreement between Ukraine and the International Development Association for the Program ( CREDIT No 7626-UA ). On July 1, 2025, the Financing Agreement (Additional Financing: Lifti