WASHINGTON-BELGRADE – Serbs from the Serbian Diaspora are invited to participate in a Mentorship Program organized by the Serbian Unity Congress (SUC) and International Relief and Development (IRD). The idea behind the Mentoring Program is to utilize the experience and expertise of Serbian American professionals by engaging members from the Diaspora to provide technical assistance for various development projects in Serbia.

In support of this effort, the SUC is now accepting applications from interested Serbian Americans to provide technical assistance to businesses, farmer cooperatives, and municipal leaders to serve on pre-defined assignments in Western Serbia. All assignments will require travel to Serbia for durations depending on the particular project scope of work decided between a selected candidate and IRD.

The Mentorship Program is currently offering openings in four projects where Serbian American expertise and their professional experience will be a valuable asset:

Fresh Fruit: The program will be focused primarily on berry fruit for export, i.e. raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries. Special attention should be paid to berry fruit specific growing techniques, such as production under shades and/or in greenhouses. An expert specialized in the fresh fruit will provide advices to Serbian producers regarding packaging, marketing and logistics for fresh fruit. Additionally, the available options and application methods for specific equipment (MA - modified atmosphere, etc.) used to extend the shelf-life of highly perishable berry fruit should be presented and recommended to future exporters.

Blueberries: An expert specialized in blueberries growing and harvesting (collecting) techniques; and further processing would provide technical advices to the ag cooperative of blueberry growers and to processors in Arilje. In addition, specific technical assistance related to analysis of natural conditions for successful introduction / production of various varieties and their future multiplication should be provided to the Fruit and Viticulture Institute from Cacak, which provides extension services to blueberry growers through the project.

Western Serbia Rural Organizations Management and Production Capacity Building Program: The main objective of the program is to develop professional groups based on understanding the market in which they compete, entrepreneurship, and good management, as well as to train members to work together more effectively. Through the specialized training programs and workshops participants should learn to set training, marketing, and quality goals, select strong leaders, and mobilize resources to improve their livelihoods. They should receive training in the latest production/growing techniques and developing plans and projects. Association managers should improve their management and marketing skills. Primarily, the program should target the groups of rural residents linked by mutually implemented activities oriented towards income generation, such as small agricultural producers supplying local processor or market, groups of farmers interested in organic production, households providing rural tourism services, women groups involved craftworks, etc. This program could require engagement more then one expert from Diaspora.

Business Incubators: IRD/Serbia is looking at setting up one-two business incubators; probably in the municipalities of Sabac and Uzice. Business Incubators proved to be an effective tool in helping small businesses to survive and grow during the start up period, when they are most vulnerable. Given the current situation in Serbia, Business Incubators are probably needed as much as foreign direct investments, and venture capital whereas banking system and Government programs do not provide enough incentives to small business start ups. SUC should recommend a professional who will bring the expertise necessary to set up Business Incubator; i.e. build a capacity of the BI management, develop a work plan, financing, the eligibility criteria for start ups entering business incubator and standards, and the portfolio of consulting services that BI should provide to the incubating companies.

Initially the program will focus on placing expert candidates on assignments in Western Serbia, where IRD is currently implementing a USAID-funded “Community Revitalization Through Democratic Action (CRDA)” program. Upon successful implementation of this pilot program in Western Serbia, plans are in the works to expand the program throughout the rest of Serbia.

How to Apply

To be considered for any of the above positions please submit your CV/resume and three professional references to jobs@serbiaununity.net.

Individuals who meet the requirements of the position will be contacted. All other applications remain on file for one year and are routinely compared to other openings within the Mentorship Program.