MSME Resilience Expert in Serbia

Enhanced resilience of MSMEs in the Republic of Serbia through the institutionalization of a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme within the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, based on UNDRR's Resilience Maturity Assessment (ReMA) tool, tailored business continuity planning and crisis simulation guidance. The programme will strengthen MSME capacities for disaster risk assessment and business continuity management, while supporting public-private dialogue and incentives for driving resilience investments for MSMEs, contributing to DRR financing pillar of the Strengthening Transboundary Collaboration and Capacities on Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning System in the Western Balkans initiative.

Home-based

01/09/2026-30/04/27

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG/ASG), UNDRR has over 160 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses, and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. It supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disaster risk and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses, and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports local and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk. This consultancy is part of the Strengthening Transboundary Collaboration and Capacities on Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning System in the Western Balkans initiative, implemented by UNDRR in Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia, with financial support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The consultant will provide technical support on building MSMEs resilience in the Republic of Serbia. The consultant will report to the Western Balkans DRR initiative Programme Manager and Economic Affairs Officer of the UNDRR Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, and work in close collaboration with the UNDRR National Officer in Serbia and the UNDP Country Office. The assignment will build on the work already achieved in the country, including the 2021 National Workshop on Building Resilience of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) in Serbia, the nationwide survey of 550 SMEs, and the subsequent development of national recommendations and six regional workshops that promoted their uptake. These initiatives identified the need to strengthen MSME capacities for disaster risk assessment, business continuity planning, and supply chain resilience. Building on this foundation, the consultant will support the development of practical risk assessment methodologies for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises), strengthen the capacity of business support organizations to provide resilience advisory services, and foster public-private dialogue and partnerships that encourage MMSEs to adopt organizational and financial measures to build their resilience. The consultant will support the adaptation of business continuity planning tools for at least three sectors and pilot their application with MSMEs. The assignment will also include the development and piloting of crisis simulation exercise tools to test the relevance of the business continuity plans. These tools should be developed with a view to sustaining their uptake through policies and financial incentives, working closely with the government, financial institutions, banks, business sector associations, SMEs, and other relevant stakeholders. The consultant will be home-based and work under the supervision of the AICS Project Management Officer for UNDRR ROECA (Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia) based in Brussels, Belgium. The consultant will specifically work on the following topics: • The consultant will assess existing MSME resilience needs, policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, and support services in Serbia through consultations with public and private sector stakeholders. Based on this assessment, the consultant will adapt and promote UNDRR's MSME resilience tools to ensure their relevance, accessibility, translation, and uptake in Serbia. • The consultant will support the establishment of a sustainable Business Continuity Planning (BCP) advisory service within the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, integrating the use of the tailored tools and guidance developed into existing advisory services for MSMEs. • The consultant will pilot the application of the adapted resilience tools and advisory approach with MSMEs to validate their practical relevance and identify opportunities for improvement and scale-up. • The consultant will support dialogue among government institutions, financial institutions, business associations, MSMEs, and other relevant stakeholders to promote a sustainable enabling environment for MSME resilience.

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in economics, statistics, public administration, social sciences, or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with at least two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five years of working experience in the field of economic development, SMEs, business resilience, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, or related areas is required. Experience supporting the resilience capacity of SME's in Serbia is desirable.

English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English and Serbian is required.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.