Consultant on Business Continuity Plans in the Caribbean Region

Result of Service

The ultimate result of the consultancy service is to enhance the disaster resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Barbados by developing effective business continuity plans (BCPs), conducting comprehensive landscape studies, facilitating collaborative workshops, and fostering stakeholder engagement, ultimately leading to improved risk management practices and increased capacity for resilience among participating businesses.

Work Location

Barbados

Expected duration

30.01.25 – 29.01.26

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: 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), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyzes, and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework, 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. This consultancy is focused on enhancing the resilience of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Barbados by strengthening their business continuity plans. The consultancy is located in Barbados. The consultant will report to the Programme Management Officer of the project at UNDRR headquarters and the Private Sector Advisor at the Regional Office. The selected person will be responsible for providing technical support, in collaboration with the ARISE Barbados Network, to enhance Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and resilience in SMEs. Responsibilities include developing tools, collecting information from primary and secondary sources, conducting desk research on the implementation of Business Continuity plans (BCPs) in SMEs, preparing and conducting workshops, dataset analysis, and other techniques to provide essential input for project development. Additionally, the selected person will provide logistical support for organizing meetings, high-level sessions, and other activities. Duties and Responsibilities (1) Project Planning and Coordination – Develop a detailed work plan outlining all phases of the project, ensuring alignment with timelines and objectives. – Liaise with the UNDRR Regional Office project focal point under the overall project coordination of the UNDRR Geneva Programme Officer. (2) Cross-fertilization dialogue report (Barbados) – Identify and ensure relevant participating businesses in consultation with UNDRR Regional Office project focal point, UNDRR, and local project partners, including ARISE Network, chamber of commerce, business associations, and/or Making Cities Resilient or local authority focal point(s) in line with the project. – Engage with stakeholders to announce the project and outline the project goals, objectives and phases. (3) Landscape Study Development and Conduct – Adapt and prepare local instrument(s) for collecting data necessary for landscape studies of SMEs in Barbados, including women-owned businesses, based on UNDRR guidance and established. – Collaborate with stakeholders to review instruments and identify participants, targeting a minimum of 100 SMEs for inclusion in the studies. – Conduct the landscape study in Barbados, ensuring thorough data collection and analysis to inform local risk understanding among SMEs. – Compile and analyze information gathered from the landscape studies, preparing a detailed report with findings and actionable recommendations for consideration in the development of novel BCPs. (4) Second-round dialogues at city level (Barbados) – Organize and facilitate one peer-to-peer workshop in Barbados, with representatives from business associations, government, and SMEs. – Present the results of the landscape study with stakeholders and utilise the data to generate actionable recommendations to enhance disaster risk reduction (DRR) for SMEs. – Invite stakeholders to share experiences and enhance their understanding of risks and DRR strategies. – Coordinate communication and engagement with local stakeholders to ensure effective participation. – Create and prepare necessary materials and resources for the workshop to facilitate effective discussions. – Lead discussions during the workshop, fostering an environment conducive to knowledge sharing and collaboration. – Document workshop proceedings and prepare a comprehensive report summarizing conclusions and recommendations. – Develop materials based on workshop outcomes to disseminate findings and insights to a broader audience in consultation with UNDRR Geneva Project Programme Officer and UNDRR Communications. – (5) Train the Trainer Workshops – Select and train at least three trainers to support the implementation of BCPs among participating SMEs, enhancing their capacity for resilience. (6) BCP Workshop – Organize and facilitate one workshop to share landscape findings and identify interventions for integrating DRR into SME business management practices. – Develop workshop content that includes tools for creating and enhancing BCPs, focusing on at least three priority economic sectors. – Identify and convene participants for the workshops, ensuring a minimum of 30 attendees per session. – Prepare reports summarizing workshop outcomes, participant feedback, and recommendations for future actions. (7) Private Sector Engagement in MHEWS – Support the engagement of private sector actors in Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) to strengthen demand and sustainability. – Explore the development of service-driven business models that incorporate innovative services for MHEWS across various sectors in the Caribbean region. – Contribute to the organization of the regional consultations to validate the service-driven model in collaboration with local partners, ensuring stakeholder input and buy-in.

Qualifications/special skills

Advance university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business management Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation, environmental science, engineering, or other relevant field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience working directly to disaster risk management frameworks and stakeholder engagement is required. Experience in implementing business continuity plans is required. Experience in the Caribbean region, particularly Barbados, is desirable. Experience in communication and stakeholder engagement, particularly in collaborating with business associations, government entities, and SMEs, is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required for this consultancy. Knowledge of Spanish or French is desirable

Additional Information

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. *FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*. UNDRR values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women, men, and people with disabilities

No Fee

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.

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