UNCDF Jobs - 58033- Intern - YouthStart Technical Writer

Intern - YouthStart Technical Writer

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Brussels, BELGIUM

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

15-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

31-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Three to six months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 48 least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital. The INTERN will be part of the YouthStart Programme.

YouthStart is a $12 million project supported by The MasterCard Foundation in partnership with UNCDF launched in 2010 to spur innovation and delivery of financial services for youth in Africa and mainstream them into inclusive financial sectors. YouthStart has three main objectives:

1) Catalyse efforts by financial institutions to innovate financial services for at least 200,000 poor youth (at least half female);
2) Build capacity to offer youth sustainable, quality financial services; and
3) Share learning with a range of stakeholders to mainstream youth into financial sectors. The YouthStart program works with 10 Financial Service Providers (FSPs) across 8 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve its objectives of building capacity of financial institutions to effectively and sustainably, innovate and deliver quality financial services to low-income young people. As of December 2014, YouthStart partners have provided access to savings for over 514,000 youth, access to loans to 71,735 young entrepreneurs and have provided financial literacy and other non-financial services (NFS) to 502,600 youth. As of December 2014, all 10 FSPs had mobilized US $14.2 million in savings and had a gross loan portfolio of US $7.3 million.

Information on YouthStart may be found at http://www.uncdf.org/en/youthstart.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under guidance and supervision of the YouthStart Knowledge Manager, the Intern will undertake the following activities:

Re-package all knowledge products generated by YouthStart into Knowledge Products Factsheets: a one to two page synopsis of each publication. The intern will also be responsible for disseminating the Knowledge Products Factsheets through innovative media channels;
Develop one/two pager of programme brochure highlighting the activities, outcomes, and opportunities for each one of the 8 countries were the YouthStart Regional Programme is active.

Competencies

Demonstrated research and analytical capacity;
Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills;
Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines;
Able to take initiative and work independently, with minimum supervision;
Able to work effectively in a team and in an international environment;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
Commitment to UNCDFs vision, mission, and strategic goals.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Enrolled in a masters programme in economic development, finance, business or public administration or related field;

Experience:

Demonstrated experience, part or full-time, paid or volunteer, in microfinance, inclusive finance, or related fields of finance, development, mobile money or technology for development, research, advocacy, and policy development would be desirable;
Experience working collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment;
Excellent computer capabilities (Word, Excel, Power Point);
Notions of Design/Graphics.

Language:

Fluency in English and proficiency in French;
Excellent writing skills in English.

Conditions:

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNCDF;
The costs associated with the latter must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel to and accommodation at the duty station (i.e. Brussels);
Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out (i.e. Brussels, Belgium).
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and called for a motivational interview that will take place on an ongoing basis;
The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNCDF but to complement an intern’s studies, therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship;
Please submit your Resume/CV and an application using the UNCDF Internship Application form;
http://www.uncdf.org/sites/default/files/internship.doc
UNCDF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.