DRR Financing Expert in Serbia

Strengthened national capacity in the Republic of Serbia to plan, prioritize, and mobilize disaster risk reduction (DRR) financing and risk-informed investments, contributing to enhanced disaster and climate resilience, and coherence with regional DRR efforts in the Western Balkans.

Home-based

6 months

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. The consultant will lead technical support on promoting disaster risk reduction (DRR) financing and risk-informed investments in the Republic of Serbia. The consultant will be home-based and will report to the Western Balkans DRR initiative Programme Management 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 consultant will conduct desktop research, data and policy analysis, and macro-fiscal risk modelling, and technical consultations with key national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry for Public Investments, Public Investment Management Office (PIMO), National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, Ministry of Interior, as well as International Financial Institutions and development partners. The outcome of this assignment includes the development of a DRR financing landscape and scoping study and organization of a workshop on the national DRR financing context, identifying gaps and needs, and priority interventions that UNDRR and the Government can advance within the scope of the project through 2027. This includes identifying relevant UNDRR tools, methodologies, and capacity-building support that can be applied to strengthen DRR financing, including support to the development of legislation related to disaster risk management financing within the existing civil protection legal framework. The consultant will also consider how to bridge identified activities with wider project activities on risk governance and local level resilience. First 6 months - Develop an initial DRR financing landscape study and recommendations, including: o Consultations with government institutions, IFIs, and development partners on DRR financing priorities, data availability, capacities, and needs. This includes conducting a UNDRR Pre-Engagement Questionnaire on National DRR Financing in Serbia with key government counterparts. o An assessment of the direct and indirect economic impacts of disasters in Serbia across sectors, developed in line with UNDRR’s methodological guidance and the Sendai Framework, using national and open-source disaster loss data, probabilistic risk models, and other qualitative and quantitative risk information. o Analysis of existing DRR and climate change adaptation financing policies, frameworks, and financing flows from public, private, and international sources, in line with UNDRR’s methodological guidance, including a desktop level budget-tagging analysis based on its DCBT guidance. This includes synthesizing existing research and reports to develop a comprehensive landscape policy landscape assessment. o Identification of prioritized short- and long-term action areas to advance DRR financing needs in Serbia, including potential application of UNDRR tools and methodologies and support to existing legislative initiatives related to DRM financing. - Prepare, organize, and facilitate a national DRR financing workshop to present study findings, discuss recommended actions, and agree on an action plan for advancing DRR financing priorities in Serbia for 2026–2027. This workshop should be organized in coordination with other UNDRR activities on supporting a strengthened comprehensive risk management approach in Serbia in order to capitalize on broader stakeholder attendance and reduce duplication across engagements with government officials. - Contribute to lessons learnt and enhanced coherence in regional and sub-regional DRR financing discussions and processes, including those in Albania, North Macedonia, and Montenegro.

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or finance-related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of 7 years of working experience in the field of public finance, DRR/climate finance, disaster risk management, or related fields is required. Experience in engaging with and coordinating stakeholders in a political setting is desirable. Experience in policy processes around DRR/civil protection and public financial management 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.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.