The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy invites proposals from qualified consultancy firms to modernize and enhance its digital presence. Supported by a PRIM grant within the “Modernizing Uzbekistan National Innovation System (MUNIS)” project, this assignment seeks to deliver a user-friendly, visually engaging, and stakeholder-focused website that reflects IAIS’s role as a regional leader in research and policy dialogue.

Background
Awarded in 2024 under Subcomponent 1.3 of the MUNIS Project, the PRIM grant aligns with Uzbekistan’s Science Development Concept until 2030 (Presidential Decree PF-6097 of 29 October 2020). IAIS’s institutional modernization plan — “Building Institutional Capacity for Sustainable Futures: A Pathway to Competitiveness in Central Asia and Beyond” — aims to strengthen research infrastructure, foster strategic partnerships, and cultivate long-term policy influence. As IAIS expands its interdisciplinary centers, a modernized website will be pivotal in showcasing its outputs and facilitating collaboration with research partners, funders, and industry.

Scope of Services

Selected consultants will be responsible for:

• Designing a modern, responsive layout aligned with IAIS branding and accessibility standards.
• Streamlining navigation and content structure to ensure intuitive journeys for diverse audiences.
• Developing dedicated sections for research partners, sponsors/funders, and business collaborators, highlighting engagement opportunities and past successes.
• Integrating repositories for publications, policy briefs, and reports, alongside secure access to the Institute’s Document Management System (DMS) and advanced search capabilities.
• Enriching the platform with multimedia elements — videos, interactive infographics, and infographics — optimised for performance across devices.
• Implementing robust SEO strategies and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to monitor traffic, user behaviour, and engagement metrics.
• Providing comprehensive documentation and hands-on training to IAIS staff on website management and analytics.

Duration and Deliverables

The consultancy is scheduled from 20 June to 20 October 2025, with potential extension based on outcomes. Key deliverables include:

1. Inception Report (Weeks 1–2): Detailed work plan and initial design concepts.
2. Wireframes and Mockups (Weeks 3–4): Visual representations of the proposed layout and user interface.
3. Fully Functional Website (Weeks 5–12): A live, user-centric platform accessible across devices.
4. Training and Documentation (Weeks 12–13): User manuals and interactive workshops for IAIS staff.
5. Final Report (Weeks 14–16): Summary of achievements, challenges, and recommendations for future enhancements.

Payments will be disbursed in five instalments tied to deliverable milestones, ranging from contract signature through to final report submission.

Application Process

Interested firms should submit the following by 23:59 (Tashkent time) on 10 June 2025 to info@iais.uz (attention: Mr Shakhboz Akhmedov):

• Company profile and relevant credentials
• Portfolio of comparable website and DMS integrations
• Proposed methodology and detailed work plan
• Financial proposal

For further inquiries, please contact the IAIS Project Manager at info@iais.uz.

IAIS looks forward to partnering with an expert consultancy to elevate its digital footprint and better serve its research community, stakeholders, and the broader public.

DETAILED TERMS OF REFERENCE