National Consultant for Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) Gap Analysis and Functional Mapping

The consultant will support the Strengthening Transboundary Collaboration and Capacities on Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning System initiative in the Western Balkans by conducting a gap analysis and functional mapping of Serbia's early warning systems. The role involves coordination with multiple UN agencies and national stakeholders to develop a national roadmap aligned with the Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) initiative.

Responsibilities

• Review relevant national policy and planning documents, existing early warning systems assessments, and guidance from the EW4ALL global initiative to establish a baseline understanding of Serbia’s current EWS landscape.
• Establish and maintain a structured coordination mechanism between UNDRR, WMO, ITU, IFRC, UNDP, and Serbia national institutions leading the EW4ALL pillars.
• Ensure systematic engagement with the pillar leads throughout inception, methodology and deliverable preparation.
• Adapt for local context and use a standardized framework and tools for assessing gaps and needs across the four EW4ALL pillars.
• Conduct a consultative process with national stakeholders to collect responses and produce a gap assessment report with recommendations.
• Translate the gap analysis into a costed, sequenced national roadmap identifying priority actions, institutional roles, implementation pathways, and financing options.
• Facilitate two national workshops to present the consolidated gap analysis, validate and prioritize proposed actions, and agree on costed activities and implementation pathways for the national roadmap.
• Develop inputs, background materials, and presentations for the workshops; revise the gap analysis and roadmap documents based on stakeholder feedback; support efforts to secure high-level attendance to ensure political visibility and institutional commitment.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, environmental policy, development studies, public administration, or a related 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 of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in disaster risk reduction (DRR), early warning systems, climate resilience, or related areas, with demonstrated ability to work across sectors and institutions is required.
• Proven experience coordinating with or supporting UN agencies, government ministries, and national technical institutions in the context of DRR or early warning is required.
• Experience in developing roadmaps, conducting institutional gap analyses, and facilitating high-level consultations or national workshops is desirable.
• Experience in the design, coordination, or evaluation of multi-stakeholder initiatives in the field of early warning, preferably within UN or government-led frameworks is desirable.
• Fluency in English and Serbian is required.

Skills

• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Early Warning Systems
• Climate Resilience
• Institutional Gap Analysis
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Strategic Roadmap Development
• Workshop Facilitation
• Transboundary Collaboration
• UN Agency Coordination
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Functional Mapping
• Early Warning System Evaluation
• Public Administration
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Environmental Policy

Languages

English, Serbian