UNCDF Jobs - 62886- Policy Intern, Financial Inclusion, UNCDF

Policy Intern, Financial Inclusion, UNCDF

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

25-Jan-2016

Application Deadline :

20-Jan-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

3-6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries (LDCs). It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to inclusive finance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia and the Pacific, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It provides seed capital both grants and loans as well as technical support that will improve poor peoples’ lives, paving the way for others to follow. Its programmes are designed to catalyze larger investment flows from the private sector, development partners and national governments, for significant impact on the SDGs. Established by the General Assembly in 1966 and with headquarters in New York, UNCDF is an autonomous UN organization affiliated with UNDP.

The Financial Inclusion Practice Area (FIPA) works to promote financial Inclusion, which is achieved when all individuals and businesses have access to and can effectively use a broad range of financial services that are provided responsibly, and at reasonable cost, by sustainable institutions in a well-regulated environment. Increased levels of financial inclusion – through the extension of savings, credit, insurance, and payment services – contributes significantly to sustainable economic growth. UNCDF is supporting 31 LDCs (20 in sub-Saharan Africa and 11 in Asia), and serving 8 million active clients—65% of whom are women—through the Financial Service Providers (FSPs) in which it invests.

Duties and Responsibilities

The key result expected is support to the policy agenda of the Financial Inclusion Practice Area as directed by the Policy Advisor through research, analysis, and writing and other support as needed. Specifically, the key activities of the intern will involve one or more of the following key areas:

Responsible Finance:

Support the development of responsible digital finance principles;
Conduct research on responsible finance issues, particularly client protection and financial education, and responsible digital finance;
Monitor and analyze social performance of UNCDF partner financial services providers.

Financial Inclusion and Women’s Economic Empowerment:

Contribute to the design and development of a women’s economic empowerment program, through research, engaging with peer organizations, and proposal writing;
Support the Policy Advisor and the Gender Working Group on the implementation of, monitoring of, and reporting on the UNCDF gender strategy.

Financial Inclusion and Humanitarian Response:

Support the finalization of policy guidance note;
Assist in development and implementation of dissemination strategy for policy guidance note;
Contribute to preparations for the World Humanitarian Summit to take place 23-24 May in Istanbul.

Financial Inclusion and the Sustainable Development Goals:

Contribute to the finalization of the indicator framework to monitor progress on the SDGs by focusing on the financial inclusion indicators.

Work Arrangements

It is desired that the intern will work full-time during usual business hours. If that is not possible due to coursework or other outstanding commitments, part-time work may be agreed with supervisor. The intern will work in the UNCDF office as possible or telecommute as agreed with her/his supervisor. In the office, work space and an email address will be provided. The intern will be responsible for using her/his own computer.

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Currently enrolled in Masters programme in economics, 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, and policy development;
Excellent computer capabilities.

Language:

Strong writing and speaking abilities in English;
Proficiency in French or Spanish desirable.

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, accommodation, etc. Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out (i.e. New York, USA). Have medical and life insurance;

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. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.