UZBEKISTAN: TECHNICAL CONSULTANT FOR INVESTMENT PROJECT EVALUATION MOA

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

The Consultant’s scope of work involves two activities:

[Activity 1] Development of technical due diligence process for investment projects and project pipeline

Sub-activities:

1-1.  Support the MoA in reviewing investment projects under planning and development and internal process for project identification and evaluation.

1-2.  Develop the technical due diligence process and project appraisal guidelines which define detailed process, criteria and methodologies for evaluating potential investment projects of the MoA.

1-3.  Support the development of investment project pipeline through technical due diligence and build financial scenarios for the investment projects of the MoA.

1-4.  Develop the final report with the guidelines for project evaluation and technical due diligence process for the MoA.

1-5.  Conduct a capacity building workshop with government officials to share the findings and recommendations.

[Activity 2] Assessment of entrepreneurial ecosystem for green/climate technology in the agriculture sector

Sub-activities:

2-1. Review entrepreneurial ecosystem in Uzbekistan, focusing especially on climate change adaptation and mitigation technologies, that includes:

-          Legal and regulatory basis;

-          Market size and investment trends;

-          Key players and their roles (ex. Government agencies, incubators, accelerators, venture capital, other public/private players);

-          Existing initiative, platforms, and programs to support entrepreneurship (with technology solutions) including grant scheme for business seed funding in the agriculture sector.

2-2. Assess the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the agricultural sector that includes:

-          Market size, industry drivers, business model, and recent deals/case studies, if applicable;

-          Stakeholder mapping;

-          Gaps/barriers, opportunities, and outlook.

2-3.  Assess technology needs in the agriculture sector

-          Identify priority technologies in the agriculture sector based on key criteria such as country needs, technology feasibility, market/commercial availability, business potential, and climate mitigation/adaptation impact potential, etc.;

ü  Consultant should closely consult with the MoA and affiliate organizations to identify technology needs

-          Recommend technologies for business incubation/acceleration and/or technology. transfer/diffusion (from global tech companies to local start-ups) in the agriculture sector

2-4.  Recommend effective interventions to address priority gaps/barriers in terms of:

-          Enabling environment (infrastructure, legal and regulatory basis, policy, markets, human capital, R&D, etc)

-          Access to finance (grant, loan and risk capital)

-          Capacity development (ex. incubators/accelerators, network development, women’s economic empowerment, etc.).

-          Business support system/platforms

Deliverables

1. Work plan

One (1) detailed work plan for the proposed activities that includes at least the following aspects: 

1. Methodology, approach, phases, deadlines, and responsibilities. 
2. Detailed schedule. 

1. Mid-term reports that contains:
   1. Draft guidelines for Technical Due diligence process for Investment projects in climate smart/resilient agriculture (Activity 1-1, 1-2)
   2. Mid-term report for green/climate entrepreneurial ecosystem for Uzbekistan (Activity 2-1, 2-2)
   3. Draft of the Pipeline of projects including financial analysis (Activity 1-3)

Consultant shall closely work with the MoA and a Senior consultant to develop project pipeline.

1. Capacity building workshop (Activity 1-5) with government officials to share the findings and recommendations.
2. Draft Final Report that includes:
   1. Activity 1-1~1-4
   2. Activity 2-1~2-4

                Draft final report should address comments made by GGGI on the mid-term report.

1. Final report

 The timeline for the submission of the deliverables and related payments is as follows:

Deliverables, timeline and payments Reporting Arrangements

* All payments are subject to GGGI's approval of deliverables

* * All Key deliverables to be Delivered in English and Uzbek language.

Minimum qualifications:

• Postgraduate education (or equivalent professional experience) in the field of Economics, Finance, Business, Environmental/natural resources management, or other related subjects.
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic policy and investment document development, ideally in the agriculture sector.
• Demonstrate experience in financial modeling and scenario analysis
• Experience in technical research and writing, ideally in the area of entrepreneurship, small-medium enterprises, business incubation and/or venture investment is a plus.
• Strong network with/understanding of the public and private entities in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Uzbekistan.Strong cross-sectoral understanding of development challenges in Uzbekistan, and of Uzbekistan’s green growth policy and investment context. 
• Outstanding interpersonal, engagement, and consensus-building skills, ability to foster strong relationships with key government agencies, private sector and understand their needs.
• Excellent fluency in English, Russian and Uzbek Languages, both written and verbal required.