Zafar Khodjaev

Procurement & Vendor Evaluation Consultant

AFI/Public Sector Procurement Initiative · Part-time

Feb 2026 – Present · 2 mths

Remote

Evaluate 5 - 6 vendor proposals monthly across private-sector RFPs, assessing pricing, operational capacity, and delivery risk using structured scoring frameworks. Produced risk assessments that directly influenced final vendor selection, including flagging critical risks that redirected contract decisions.

Business Development Associate

Lingon Certificates · Full-time

May 2024 – Dec 2025 · 1 yr 7 mths

Stockholm, Sweden · Hybrid

Served as a multi-functional contributor at a pre-seed sustainability startup, leading research, marketing, fundraising, and sales activities. Led regulatory and market research across 6-10 European markets, mapping ESPR/Green Deal compliance requirements to support digital product passport implementation delivering defined product specs, a regulatory framework, and executive-level presentations. Authored 3-5 whitepapers and handbooks on sustainability and supply chain transparency. Developed 6-10 tailored pitch decks for individual investors and investment events across 3-5 EU countries, supporting an ongoing seed round. Contributed to 4 grant applications, securing an EU innovation grant distributed by Vinnova (Sweden). Drove B2B sales activities including pricing, matchmaking events, and sales pitches to EU and international clients. Managed multi-channel social media and content calendar, and supervised 1-2 interns across research and marketing workstreams.

Researcher / Executive Assistant

Academy for Cultural Diplomacy · Full-time

Sep 2021 – Feb 2022 · 5 mths

Berlin, Germany · On-site

Produced 1-2 policy research pieces and whitepapers on cultural diplomacy and soft power, supporting multi-regional delegations spanning Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Organized 3-5 international diplomatic conferences and events, facilitating cross-cultural dialogue across diverse delegations. Conducted stakeholder interviews and supported negotiations on cultural diplomacy topics as Executive Assistant to senior leadership.

Business Analyst

Pleasant Taste LLC · Full-time

Jan 2020 – May 2021 · 1 yr 4 mths

Tashkent, Uzbekistan · On-site

Conducted market forecasting, consumer behavior analysis, and TAM/SAM/SOM modelling across 2–3 segments to directly inform expansion strategy for a vending machine services business. Worked alongside the founder/CEO to develop and execute a COVID-19 crisis response, including market timing and pricing analysis that supported a strategic business exit before significant value erosion - preserving shareholder value under adverse market conditions.

Executive Assistant to CEO

Discover Invest · Full-time

May 2019 – Sep 2019 · 4 mths

Tashkent, Uzbekistan · On-site

Supported executive operations including document management, communication coordination, and scheduling. Maintained data systems and facilitated stakeholder communication across departments. Worked closely with diverse international specialists as an interpreter and a guide to local labor environment.

Hochschule Furtwangen University

Master of Art, International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy

Sep 2021 – Feb 2023

University of Sunderland

Bachelor of Art, Business Marketing and Management

Oct 2016 – Jun 2019

Management Development Institute of Singapore

Advanced Diploma, Business Administration

Aug 2015 – Apr 2016