REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

PHRD GRANT FOR THE PREPARATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION PROJECT

CONSULTING SERVICES ONDESIGNING COMPETITIVE FUNDING SYSTEM AND PROGRAMMES

Request for Expression of Interest

The Republic of Azerbaijan has applied for financing from the World Bank towardthe cost of the preparation of Higher Education Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultant services.

The objective of theassignment is to design the competitive funding system and grant programmes in preparation for the World Bank fundedproject.

Qualifications required:

• An advancedrelevant degree from an internationally recognized university;
• At least 7 years of working experience in the higher education financing field;
• Working experience in the design and development (and ideally implementation) of a competitive funding mechanism;
• Working experience in developing an operational manual for competitive funding;
• Fluency inEnglish language, written and spoken;
• Previousexperience of working in Azerbaijan is an advantage;
• Proficiencyin Azeri, Russian or Turkish language would be advantageous.

Implementation period: 58 working days, November 2010-June 2011

The Ministry of Education of the Republic ofAzerbaijan now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interestedconsultantsshall provide their CVs including detailed information onqualifications for implementation of the services (description ofsimilar assignments, experience in similar conditions, general qualifications, etc).

Consultant will be selected in accordance with the IndividualConsultants selection method procedures set out in the World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment ofConsultants by World Bank Borrowers (May 2004, revised October 2006).

Interested consultantsmay obtain further information at the address below from 09.00 to 18.00 office hours.

Expressions of interestmust be delivered to the address below by September 20, 2010.

TheMinistry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan

ProjectCoordination Unit

Attn: Elvin Rustamov,Director

49,Khatai Avenue, AZ1008, Baku, Azerbaijan

Tel:(+99412) 4963759/4963760

Fax:(+99412) 4969368

Email:erustamov@ultel.net