Background

The international community is set to commit to a new set of ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting the need to transform economies, end poverty, and tackle the challenge of climate change.

Private finance will be critical in helping countries to transform and grow in a sustainable way, providing jobs, particularly for the poorest and most marginalized and enabling countries to broaden their financing base and exit aid dependence. Private flows to developing countries are already increasing, reflecting increased attention on investment opportunities in global growth markets.

By blending development finance or philanthropic funds with private capital, all actors in a Blended Finance transaction benefit from win-win-win solutions. Wins for the development funders, as they can magnify the impacts of small amounts of public sector support to leverage larger amounts of private finance.  Wins for commercial investors as they secure viable returns on worthwhile projects in developing countries as more funds are channeled to help transform economies, societies, and lives.

The UNDP Social Impact Fund (UNDP-UNSIF) initiative is established with the objective of accelerating the scale-up of social impact investment models through a new platform that leverages traditional development funding with social impact equity investment partners. The goal is to attract follow-on and additional investment capital that can lead to greater social impact while providing the potential for sustainable and inclusive economic returns. UNSIF provides a facility that, in cooperation with the implementation capacity of the UN and its partners, rigorously promotes measurable social impacts, economic sustainable for all its stakeholders. This creates a new financing architecture that leverages the traditional development funding pathways of pooled grants with private debt, equity and quasi-equity investments.

Establishing the UNSIF Secretariat operationalizes UNSIF as a global fund, providing coordinating and oversight role for investments and implementation of thereof. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The UNDP UN Social Impact Fund (UNDP-UNSIF) project of the Bangkok Regional Hub offers opportunities for interns who may be interested in gaining experience in strategic design, planning and research, in the area of impact investment.

Scope of Work:

S/he will report directly to the Chief, UNDP-UNSIF and the main tasks of the Intern include the following:

  • Work with established sector stakeholders to draft and finalize a UNSIF specific ‘impact measurement tool’ that can be applied to SDG-aligned investment projects;
  • Tools should be designed with multi-platform UX (online, offline, mobile, etc.);
  • The tools will compose the following:
    • Detailed descriptions of ‘impact’ according to the SDG Framework indicators;
    • Integration of best case models available on the marketplace (GIIN, IRIS, GIRS, Toniic, etc.);
    • Finalization of hybrid UNSIF specific tool;
  • Assist the UNSIF team to conduct outreach and verification of proposed models with social enterprises, impact enterprises, high-net worth individuals, foundations, corporate CSR, investment institutions and associated organizations and networks;
  • Management of pilot, testing, adaption and roll-out phases;
  • Other tasks as agreed beforehand with the supervisor.

Competencies

  • Demonstrate commitment to the UN’s core values;
  • Respects individual, gender and cultural differences in dealing with others;
  • Treat all people fairly without favoritism.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or;
  • Enrolled in a final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent) or;
  • Graduated with a university degree - and if selected, must start the internship within one year after graduation;
  • Field of studies in business administration, ICTs, finance, social finance, investment management, etc.

Experience

  • Excellent knowledge of social impact investing, social entrepreneurship, and the development M&E models;
  • Strong understanding of the business fundamentals behind social impact investing, inclusive and social business models, scaling start-up, etc.;
  • Strong understanding of the social impacts that can be associated with next-generation technologies;
  • Strong relationship building, networking, writing, communication and research skills;
  • Broad understanding of the social development models and policies;

Languages

  • Written and spoken proficiency in English;
  • Written and spoken proficiency in other Asian languages an advantage.

Conditions:

  • UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;
  • All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
  • Interns are not eligible to apply for any positions (Fixed-Term Appointment, Temporary Appointment, Service Contract, Individual Contract) in UNDP during the period of the internship;
  • The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Subsequent Employment:

  • There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship.