Business Development Expert – Retainer

Leads the development of a comprehensive, market-driven business model for a small sewing business under the QUDSI-R4R project.
Ensures alignment between market demand, operational capacity, and financial sustainability.
Works closely with project teams, beneficiaries, and relevant stakeholders.
Support Duration of Assignment & Level of Effort:
The duration of the consultancy assignment will be (10 months max.).
The consultancy assignment will be implemented based on the operational needs of this assignment.

The UNOPS Middle East Region (MR) provides strategic leadership, performance oversight, and support to UNOPS operations across Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the State of Palestine. MR is responsible for positioning UNOPS as a key development partner in the region through high-level engagement with regional bodies, UN coordination mechanisms, development banks, donors, and intergovernmental organisations. By fostering strategic partnerships and promoting operational excellence, the region supports country teams in delivering sustainable solutions to complex development, peace, and humanitarian challenges

UNOPS supports both humanitarian response and early recovery in Gaza. Currently, UNOPS support in Gaza focuses on key humanitarian enablers, including on access, via the Security Council-mandated UN 2720 Mechanism and the Access Support Unit (ASU), humanitarian fuel and energy, and mine action. Operations are envisaged to continue in the coming period with a focus in line with the UNOPS mandate: (i) infrastructure construction and rehabilitation, (ii) procurement and (iii) project management.

As part of the Business Development and Economic Empowerment Track under the QUDSI-R4R project, UN-Habitat aims to strengthen the economic resilience, income-generating capacity, and sustainability of project-supported beneficiaries and affiliated initiatives in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Within this framework, the project seeks to support the development and operationalization of a
small sewing business initiative
as a viable and sustainable income-generating model. The intervention is intended to enhance local production capacity, respond to identified market needs, and create employment and livelihood opportunities for the targeted beneficiaries.
To ensure the successful establishment of this initiative, a comprehensive and structured business development process is required. This process will cover the full lifecycle of business development, including business model design, market validation, operational planning, commercialization strategy, and feasibility assessment, culminating in a fully actionable business plan.
The assignment will adopt an iterative and evidence-based approach, whereby initial business assumptions are tested and refined through market analysis and demand validation, and subsequently translated into operational, financial, and implementa...