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Background
The project is designed to address the gender-specific barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan, with a focus on improving access to resources, capacity building, mentorship, and advocacy for systemic change. The outcome of the project is to empower women entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan by enhancing their access to resources, the skills to sustainably grow their businesses, and advocating for policy reforms to create a gender-responsive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The project aims to significantly enhance the performance and growth of women-led SMEs by providing tailored business acceleration programs. These programs will improve business practices, increase access to financing, and equip women entrepreneurs with essential skills, such as financial literacy, business strategy development, and loan application procedures. The project will focus on developing a gender-sensitive capacity-building curriculum and a comprehensive mentoring framework that takes into account the unique challenges faced by women. This is expected to result in stronger, more resilient women-led businesses that are better positioned to access new markets and resources.
Through the implementation of a robust mentorship program, the project will connect women entrepreneurs with experienced mentors who can provide personalized guidance. The mentorship will focus on strategic business growth, leadership skills, financial planning, and overcoming gender-specific barriers in entrepreneurship. By fostering a supportive peer network, the mentorship program will also help build long-term relationships among women entrepreneurs, strengthening their confidence and capacity for business leadership. Over time, this will contribute to increasing the number of women entrepreneurs successfully scaling their businesses and taking on leadership roles in Uzbekistan’s economy.
The project will also drive systemic change by improving the research, policy advocacy, and broader entrepreneurial ecosystem for women entrepreneurs. By conducting in-depth research on the needs of women-led businesses, including access to finance, markets, and resources, the project will provide evidence-based recommendations to policymakers and financial institutions. This will create a more supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs, resulting in improved access to finance, mentorship, and market opportunities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Project Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the UNDP Programme Specialist/Inclusive Growth Cluster Leader and the overall guidance of the National Project Coordinator. The Project Specialist will ensure smooth and timely delivery of operations in accordance with annual and quarterly work plans of the Project through performing the following duties and responsibilities:
Overall project management– Financial, Administrative and Human Resources:
Project Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation:
Develop the necessary strategic documents concerning project planning and implementation, such as policy papers, concept notes, etc.; Provide strategic advice, direction and direct technical input to the UNDP Country Office and Inclusive Growth Cluster on the project’s thematic domain; Ensure programme assessments are undertaken and relevant baseline data collected so programme monitoring and evaluation can take place; Oversee the establishment of the monitoring and evaluation plan of the Project and ensure its implementation; Guide the development of the project’s communication strategy in close collaboration with relevant partners; Ensure integration and mainstreaming of gender equality throughout the project’s outputs and activities; Develop Terms of Reference for programme consultants/experts hired on a short-term basis and ensure proper delivery of technical services and submission of technical and other reports; Ensure that project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in its activities (gender mainstreaming); Ensure proper delivery of technical services and submission of technical and other reports both by project staff and short-term consultants;Advocacy, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:
Establish and maintain partnerships with all project stakeholders (government, donors, development partners, CSOs, etc.); Support the UNDP Country Office in mobilization of resources from potential donors, including preparation of strategies, programme briefs and project documents, organization of regular donor meetings and field visits; Work closely with UNCT in identifying partnership strategies with regard to providers of specialized expertise and possible co-financiers, resource mobilization, and implementing possible synergies with donors funded projects; Cooperate with donors, project partners, suppliers and beneficiaries when needed, prepare timely reports of project progress in line with UNDP and donor requirements; Extract lessons learned to support project improvement and feed into UNDP programming knowledge globally (facilitate knowledge building and sharing);Closing the Project
Develop a sustainability plan to transition project activities to local institutions for long-term impact; Prepare Final Project Review Reports to be submitted to the Project Board; Identify follow-on actions and submit them for consideration to the Project Board; Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment, and materials to national beneficiaries; Prepare final CDR for signature by UNDP and the Implementing Partner. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.Institutional Arrangement
The Project Specialist will work under direct supervision of the UNDP Cluster Leader on IG and in close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator. The Project Specialist closely collaborates with the national partners, other UNDP projects, UNDP CO programme and operations units to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery, and undertake day-to-day responsibility for operational and thematic support services for the satisfactory achievement of the assigned tasks.
Competencies
Core competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact. Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems. Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences. Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands. Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results. Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration. Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.Cross Functional and Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy- Strategic ThinkingRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Masters’ degree or equivalent) in any of the following areas: Business Management, Management, Public Policy, Development Economics or similar areas, or A first-level university (Bachelor's degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.Experience:
Minimum of 5 ( five) years of work experience (with Master’s degree) or 7 (seven) years of work experience (with Bachelor’s degree) in the field of economics and/or project management in the sphere of economic development / finance / social development/public finance management/SME development.Required skill:
At least 2 years of demonstrable project/programme management experience.Desired skills:
Extensive experience in leading project implementation, strategic planning, and results-based management. Skilled in budget oversight, impact assessment, and stakeholder coordination to drive effective development outcomes. Proven expertise in engaging governments, donors, and private sector partners. Strong in policy advisory, capacity-building, and advocacy to influence policy reforms and foster multi-sectoral collaboration. Proficient in data analysis, M&E frameworks, and digital transformation. Skilled in leveraging technology for project tracking, impact measurement, and efficient resource allocation to optimize development initiatives. Work experience in any development organizations. Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource. Experience in gender-sensitive programming and understanding of the challenges women entrepreneurs face, especially in traditional sectors.Languages:
Fluency in English and Uzbek is required. Good command of Russian is desirable.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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