UNCDF Jobs - 34350- Policy Intern UNCDF

Policy Intern UNCDF

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

17-Dec-2012

Application Deadline :

11-Dec-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

4-6 months, beginning 17 December 2012

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Additional internship for 4-6 months, beginning mid-April 2013

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 48 least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help microfinance institutions reach more poor households and small businesses, and local governments finance the capital investments – water systems, feeder roads, schools, irrigation schemes – that will improve poor peoples’ lives. UNCDF programmes help to empower women, and are designed to catalyze larger capital flows from the private sector, national governments and development partners, for maximum impact toward the Millennium Development Goals.

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 the following:

Organizing, uploading, and maintaining key policy, client protection, and gender documents on UNCDF intranet.
Coordinating and writing the internal Responsible Finance newsletter.
Conducting research on responsible finance issues at country levels, particularly client protection and financial education, and writing summaries and analyses based on that research.
Assisting on the development of a responsible finance project document, through research and writing.
Assisting on the development of a women’s economic empowerment project document, through research and writing.
Supporting the Policy Advisor and the Gender Working Group on the implementation of the UNCDF gender strategy.
Other tasks as requested by the Policy Advisor.

Work Arrangements:

The intern will work full-time, and may work in the UNCDF office or telecommute as agreed with her supervisor. In the office, work space will be provided, and the intern will have access to a computer whenever possible. While telecommuting, the intern will be responsible for using her own computer. The intern will not be provided with a corporate email.

Competencies

Demonstrated research and analytical capacity.
Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills.
Able to take initiative and work independently.
Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks.
Excellent computer capabilities.
Strong writing and speaking abilities in English.
Proficiency in French or Spanish desirable.

Required Skills and Experience

Enrolled in Masters programme in economics, finance, business or public administration or related field.
Demonstrated experience, part or full-time, paid or volunteer, in microfinance, inclusive finance, or related fields of finance, development, research, advocacy, and policy development.

UNCDF may accept interns providing the following conditions are met:

Enrolled in a master’s programme in a graduate school (second university degree or higher) at the time of application and during the internship (if a candidate is graduating before the internship period begins, they are no longer eligible); or
Pursuing their university/college studies, having completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree, if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages;
Not have graduated prior to the beginning of the internship.

Please submit your application using the UNCDF Internship Application form:

http://www.uncdf.org/sites/default/files/internship.doc