Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization with 17,000 staff working in approximately 170 offices globally. The 2030 Agenda requires to shift from funding individual projects to helping countries mobilise financing for transformative sustainable development. UNDP will work with both governments and businesses to strengthen the environment and business practices for greater alignment with all dimensions of the 2030 Agenda.

UNDP SDG Finance Sector Hub (FSH) supports governments, private sector and other entities in addressing the challenges of financing the 2030 Agenda and maximize new SDG-aligned investemnbt opportunities. The Finance Sector Hub operates as a joint the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and Bureau of External Relations (BERA) platform and serves as a connector, broker and global coordinator among internal and external actors; curates and manages UNDP’s catalogue of service offers to governments, investors and companies to significantly enhance the scale and impact of UNDP’s work.

The Finance Sector Hub works with colleagues from GPN, BERA and across all Bureaux as well as, with external stakeholders and partners. The Hub has multiple functions in advancing finance and the private sector strategy: (i) will serve as corporate “center of Excellence” and support Regional Bureaux and COs, as well as other global programs and units as part of the Global Policy Network; (ii) will host, develop and implement global projects, when appropriate and necessary; and (iii) will perform an external advocacy and representative role in relations with the Member States, donors, academia, civil society, private sector and investors as part of BERA’s partner outreach strategy.  Please visit the UNDP SDG Finance Platform for more information https://sdgfinance.undp.org/ 

UNDP FSH seeks a graduate student with an interest in global development issues and communications to support the effective and efficient communication within the team, UNDP as well as external partners. This post will allow the opportunity to assist in developing communications strategies, communities of practices, and many other creative endeavors as well as supporting UNDP senior staff with their engagements.

The Communications Intern will work in close collaboration with all FSH team members under the supervision of the Knowledge Management and Communications Analyst and FSH Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide research, writing and editing support on issues related to developing SDG-aligned financing strategies and investments including on approaches to monitoring leverage
  • Support coordination of the SDG finance expert roster as well as FSH’s plan for capacity development and training on SDG Finance
  • Support publishing knowledge stories/best practices on SDG-aligned investments;
  • Support preparation of communications materials (speeches, brochures, success stories, social media materials etc.);
  • Other relevant tasks as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Competencies

  • Excellent written and spoken English skills;
  • Good organizational skills;
  • Good inter-personal skills;
  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities
  • Excellent computer literacy in standard software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
  • Good research and analytical skills;
  • Sensitivity to political, cultural and national differences and adaptability to multicultural environments.

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

  • be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
  • be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
  • have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) in a degree programme in a relevant discipline (digital marketing, web management, graphic design, social media, communication) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation

 

Experience:

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and its tools including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Theoretical and practical understanding of the role of private sector in development;
  • Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills;
  • Excellent organizational, time management and strong interpersonal skills.;
  • Ability to multi-task, to work flexibly and meet tight deadlines;
  • Attention to details and proven ability to work independently and effectively with minimum supervision;
  • Networking skills to engage with key internal and external partners;
  • Experience in knowledge management e.g. editing of websites and updating of workspaces;
  • Knowledge of the UN/UNDP and commitment to UN mission and UNDP mandate;
  • Computer proficiency: MS Office;
  • Fluent in English with excellent reading and writing skills. Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Language:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English.

Conditions:

  • UNDP interns receive a monthly stipend during the assignment;
  • The intern can work from home;
  • The intern is expected to be reasonably flexible with call times as needed;
  • The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan;
  • The intern must provide proof of university enrollment;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
  • Interns are expected to work full-time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes.

Applications:

Please provide the following documents to be considered:

  • CV
  • motivational letter

Three shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.

Subsequent Employment:

  • The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.