Result of Service

The ultimate result of the consultancy service is to enhance the disaster resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sendai City 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

Japan

Expected duration

7 months (120 workind days during the duration) (from Dec2024/Jan 2025 – July/August 2025)

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, analyses 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 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. This consultancy is focused on enhancing the resilience of small and medium-sized businesses in Sendai City by strengthening their business continuity plans. Applicants for this consultancy are required to reside in Japan and be authorized to work in Japan. The consultant will report to the Head of the UNDRR Kobe Office and work in close collaboration with the Programme Management Officer of the project at UNDRR headquarters in Geneva. The selected person will be responsible for providing technical support 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 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 Kobe Office project focal point under the overall project coordination of the UNDRR Geneva programme officer, in close consultation with Sendai City in the local language (Japanese). (2) Landscape Study Development and Conduct – Identify and ensure relevant participating businesses in consultation with the UNDRR Kobe Office project focal point, UNDRR, and local project partners, including Sendai City, ARISE Network, chamber of commerce, business associations, and/or Making Cities Resilient or local authority focal point(s) in line with the project – Consult with Sendai City, adapt and prepare local instrument(s) for collecting data necessary for landscape studies of SMEs in Sendai City, 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, with an aim for 300 plus. (this target is the overall target of this project by combining three pilot cities – Sendai City, Barcelona, and Bridgetown). – Work with Sendai City and conduct the landscape study in Sendai City with the local language (Japanese), 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. (3) Peer-to-Peer Workshop Facilitation – In consultation with Senai City, organize and facilitate one peer-to-peer workshop in Sendai City with the local language (Japanese), aimed at generating actionable recommendations to enhance disaster risk reduction (DRR) for SMEs. – Identify and engage relevant representatives from business associations, government, and SMEs 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 in the local language (Japanese) for the workshop to facilitate effective discussions. – Lead discussions during the workshop in the local language (Japanese), fostering an environment conducive to knowledge sharing and collaboration. – Document workshop proceedings and prepare a comprehensive report summarizing conclusions and recommendations (in both English and Japanese) – Develop materials based on workshop outcomes to disseminate findings and insights in English to a broader audience in consultation with UNDRR Geneva project programme officer and UNDRR Communications. (4) BCP Workshop – In consultation with Senai City, organize and facilitate one workshop in the local language (Japanese) 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 Business Continuity Plans (BCPs), focusing on at least three priority economic sectors. – Identify and convene participants for the workshops in the local language (Japanese), ensuring a minimum of 50 attendees per session. – Select and train at least two trainers based in Sendai City (the overall target of the project is at least six trainers) to support the implementation of BCPs among participating SMEs, enhancing their capacity for resilience. – Prepare reports summarizing workshop outcomes, participant feedback, and recommendations for future actions both in English and Japanese. (5) Business Continuity Plans Development – Customize tools for developing Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) to align with key economic sectors and national regulatory frameworks. – By working with Sendai City and partners of the project, identify and partner with at least 25 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to collaborate on BCP development and update and obtain commitment letters from these businesses to formalize partnerships. – Facilitate and support at least 15 SMEs to develop novel BCPs to implement DRR measures in the local language (Japanese). – Assess the current status of BCP development and implementation for each SME. – Provide continuous support to SMEs through both in-person and virtual sessions to improve BCP effectiveness. – Document the progress and enhancements made to at least 25 BCPs both in English and Japanese. (6) Documentation and Dissemination of Lessons Learned and Impact Stories – Develop formats and templates for capturing lessons learned and impact stories from participating SMEs, in consultation with UNDRR Geneva programme officer and UNDRR Communications. – Conduct fieldwork to document lessons learned and impact stories, ensuring a comprehensive collection of qualitative data. – Prepare and disseminate documentation of impact stories to inspire other SMEs and stakeholders both in English and Japanese.

Qualifications/special skills

– Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business management, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, environmental science, engineering, or finance is required. A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. – Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience related to Disaster Risk Reduction in or with the private sector is required. – Experience in developing and implementing business continuity plans is required. – Experience with the Sendai City SME landscape or a local government SME landscape in Japan is desirable. – Experience with stakeholder engagement and collaboration with business associations, government, and SMEs is desirable.

Languages

– English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English and Japanese is required for this consultancy.

Additional Information

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

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.