Pool of Consultants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and Business Support Organisations (two retainer positions), Multiple positions

“Norwegian Support to Western Balkans Development - Norway for You–Montenegro” Project (Project) will contribute to a more balanced socio-economic development in Montenegro, by increasing employment opportunities, supporting social cohesion and improving local infrastructure in least developed municipalities. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) allocated NOK 15 million for this project implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) during 24 months.

Project will achieve two outputs:

Output 1: Improved Access to Employment

Output 2: Enhanced Social Inclusion through Improved Living Conditions

During its lifetime, the Project will support self-employment, provide vocational training in accordance with the Local Employment Action Plans, organise Calls for Proposals for projects of local government institutions, civil society organisations and business support organisations and support projects for improvement of living conditions and quality of life.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Consultant for SMEs and BSOs will be responsible for provision of technical assistance to the Project in designing and delivering activities aiming at increasing employment opportunities in underdeveloped areas of Montenegro.

In order to enable both the Project and SME beneficiaries to create employment opportunities and create new jobs, the Project is recruiting a pool of Consultants for SME and BSOs Competitiveness with specialised technical backgrounds. The duration of assignments will depend on the number of applications and type of businesses applying for the Project support. Therefore, the pool will be consisted of consultants with one or more of the following specialties:

• Business finances – internal finances, financial planning and management
• SME related policies – analysis of legal framework
• Marketing and sales
• Access to finance - analysis of the available sources of funding  
• Business management
• Production and technological processes in at least one of the following sectors: manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and hospitality, ICT, health etc.
• Development and delivery of business development training programme.

More specifically, the Consultant for SMEs and BSOs will undertake the following activities/ responsibilities:

• Provide technical advice regarding thematic areas for provision of support to SMEs and BSOs, including definition of eligible activities to be supported by the Project
• Provide technical advice regarding SME-related legal issues, including guidelines for assessment of their registration, ownership, finances and ethics of applicants
• Provide inputs for development of the outreach campaign for SMEs and BSOs including inputs for stakeholder mapping and analysis within the Project Area of Responsibility (AoR)
• Provide inputs for development of the business/training plan template to be used as the application form for Calls targeting SMEs and BSOs
• Provide inputs for development of assessment criteria for Calls targeting SMEs and BSOs
• Provide technical advice regarding assessment of SME and BSO applicants and viability of submitted applications to the Project Grant Evaluation Committee members, as needed
• Participate in meetings with the Project’s SME and BSO stakeholders in order to obtain information on their needs, as per request and guidelines from the Sector Manager
• During advertisement of the Call for Proposals (CFP), support delivery of info sessions and other outreach activities, by developing and giving presentations and guidance to potential applicants on business planning and other topics that would facilitate good quality applications  
• Visit beneficiary SMEs in order to assess progress and effects of the project and provide technical advice related to strategic planning, management of finances, product development, vocational training, innovations and other elements that would enhance SME performance (1)
• On as needed basis research current national and EU policies and regulations and provide inputs to the Project on SME development potentials

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Economics or Business Administration or relevant field is required
• Master’s degree in relevant discipline will be considered as an asset

Work Experience

• Minimum two years of experience in finance sector or private business in Montenegro in business finances and/or SME related policies and/or marketing and sales and/or access to finance and/or business management and/or production and/or technological processes is required
• Two years of experience in finance sector or procurement sector or private business in Montenegro or developing and delivering training programme and mentoring to the SME and/or BSO or experience of vocational training is required.
• Experience with the EU or the UN, or another international organisation is an asset

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Montenegrin and English is required

Driving license

• Driving license and ability to travel independently is required

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

In Serbia, UNOPS has been active since 2000, became the Project Centre (RSPC) in 2012, and was reclassified, due a growing portfolio, to Operations Centre (RSOC) at the beginning of 2017. Since 2017, RSOC operations have expanded to North Macedonia, Georgia and Montenegro.

UNOPS has been a reliable partner primarily of the Government of Serbia, and later of the Governments of North Macedonia, Georgia and Montenegro, in providing support for demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.