Background:
DISCLAIMER: Please note that this is a roster call for consultancy assignments of a temporary nature, with an expected duration of up to 180 working days within one calendar year, exact duration depending on specific project/activity. In recent years, Uzbekistan has undertaken significant reforms in monetary, foreign exchange, tax, and foreign trade policies. These reforms are aiming to create favorable conditions for entrepreneurship and improve the investment climate. However, expert assessments and surveys among businesses indicate that the share of the shadow economy remains substantial. This persistent phenomenon not only undermines the economic interests of legitimate entrepreneurs by creating unequal business conditions, but also poses broader security risks related to corruption, organized crime, money laundering, and the financing of terrorism. Following a high-level government meeting chaired by the President in January.2024, the fight against the shadow economy gained renewed momentum The President identified the informal economy as one of Uzbekistan's most pressing issues and assigned new responsibilities to various government agencies. As a result, the Research Center for Analysis of the Shadow Economy was established under the General Prosecutor’s Office (GPO). It was provided with the mandate to identify economic sectors with high levels of shadow activity and analyze contributing factors. Additionally, the Department for Combatting Economic Crimes, also under the GPO and serving as Uzbekistan’s Financial Intelligence Unit, has been tasked with developing proposals to reduce the shadow economy and providing capacity-building based on best international practices.
Objective of Assignment: The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) has been actively supporting the government in its reform agenda across areas such as good governance, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, combating the financing of terrorism, and promoting public sector integrity. Given the pressing need to address the shadow economy in Uzbekistan, this call seeks to expand the PCUz roster of experts with experience in economic formalization strategies, incentive-based policy development, fiscal and financial inclusion, as well as the drafting and enforcement of laws to reduce illegal economic activities. The focus is on a balanced approach that combines supportive measures with regulatory enforcement to encourage business formalization. Selected experts will be added to the roster for potential contracting, upon request from project partners. Specific terms and conditions will be outlined in separate agreements, subject to negotiation with the experts. Selected experts may work remotely or onsite.
Duration of Assignment:
Maximum 180 days within 1 calendar year.
Tasks and Responsibilities: Selected experts will work under the overall supervision of the Senior Project Officer and the National Project Officer of the Economic and Environmental Dimension. Key tasks and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: • Conduct in-depth analyses of the shadow economy, identifying key sectors and factors driving informal business activities. • Develop incentive-based policy proposals to encourage the formalization of businesses and reduce informal economic activities. • Draft and review legal and regulatory frameworks, including anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-corruption measures, aimed at reducing the shadow economy. • Design and deliver capacity-building initiatives for government agencies and relevant stakeholders, focusing on the identification and mitigation of shadow economy activities. • Provide expert advice on policy development, regulatory enforcement, and economic formalization strategies tailored to the needs of Uzbekistan. • Engage with government agencies, businesses, and civil society to foster collaborative efforts to address the shadow economy. • Facilitate public-private dialogue to ensure policy alignment with business realities and promote a smoother transition to the formal economy. • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented policies and initiatives, recommending adjustments as needed to improve outcomes. • Provide detailed reports and recommendations on strategies to reduce the shadow economy, utilizing international best practices and innovative approaches.
Deliverables:
Selected experts will be responsible for providing in-depth analysis and tailored recommendations on strategies to reduce the shadow economy, with a focus on fostering business formalization and regulatory compliance. This may include the development of policy proposals, regulatory frameworks, and action plans based on best practices and tailored to the specific needs of project partners. Experts may also be tasked with delivering capacity-building workshops, preparing detailed reports, and engaging with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. Additionally, they will be expected to produce periodic progress reports and evaluations, offering insights into the effectiveness of the proposed measures and recommendations for further improvements.
Necessary Qualifications:
• Advanced university degree in Economics, Law, Public Policy, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; • Minimum 6 years of professional experience in areas such as economic formalization, shadow economy reduction, financial inclusion, or regulatory policy; • Proven experience in developing and implementing incentive-based policies and regulatory frameworks to promote business formalization and reduce informal economic activities; • Strong knowledge of economic and financial analysis, with demonstrated ability to synthesize complex data and provide clear recommendations; • Experience in drafting legal and policy documents, including anti-money laundering (AML), anti-corruption, and fiscal policies; • Demonstrated ability to work with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and international organizations; • Familiarity with international best practices on tackling the shadow economy, and capacity-building efforts in governance and economic reforms; • Excellent communication, analytical, and report-writing skills, with a strong command of English; • Proficiency in digital tools and software, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities; Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
Remuneration Package:
Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.
If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.
The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.
Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.
The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.
Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.
Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process. Additional Information
Issued by: OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan Requisition ID: UZB000062 Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant Grade: NP2 Job Type: Consultant Number of posts: unlimited Location: UZB - OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, Tashkent Issue Date: Oct 15, 2024 Closing Date: Nov 8, 2024 Education Level: Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent) Job Field: Economic & Environmental Affairs