Background

The UN Capital Development Fund makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 46 least developed countries (LDCs). UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. UNCDF’s financing models work through three channels: (1) inclusive digital economies, which connects individuals, households, and small businesses with financial eco-systems that catalyze participation in the local economy, and provide tools to climb out of poverty and manage financial lives; (2) local transformative finance, which capacitates localities through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance to drive local economic expansion and sustainable development; and (3) investment finance, which provides catalytic financial structuring, de-risking, and capital deployment to drive SDG impact and domestic resource mobilization.

The Intern will be part of the Local Transformative Finance (LTF) Team in UNCDF West & Central Africa (WCA) Regional Office in Dakar (Senegal). 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Intern will support the Local Transformative Finance Practice in West and Central Africa office of UNCDF to implement the portfolio of projects for the achievements of its goals in various domains of its mandate.

Under the supervision of the Regional Coordinator, and in close collaboration with the Regional Communication Specialist, the Intern will support the implementation of the UNCDF regional Communications work-plan for 2022, including various related tasks to (i) Communications and (ii) Graphic design.

More specifically, the intern will support UNCDF teams in the implementation and development of their programs by:

  • Conceptualizing, creating and publishing visual pieces including infographics;
  • Gathering and consolidating information for the website;
  • Creating evergreen webpages and news stories;
  • Providing editorial and design inputs;
  • Writing blogs, feature and success stories about results achieved in WCA and efforts pursued under UNCDF WCA projects and programmes in the area of local development finance, based on relevant inputs from project/programme managers, partners and donors;
  • Assisting in overseeing the content development, expansion and continual assessment of web-based knowledge and information services (i.e. UNCDF Website and Intranet);
  • Assisting in boosting UNCDF’s presence in online communications and social media; provide assistance in maintenance of the UNCDF online platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram;
  • Supporting the development of pro-active communication strategies related to specific UNCDF programmes and initiatives, with a view to enhance programme-specific resource mobilization efforts;
  • Assisting the team in organizing events, launches of publications, seminars and conferences, global campaigns;
  • Further, the internship manager is committed to providing the intern with the training, guidance and support necessary to complete the below duties and responsibilities effectively and within the internship period. This will include, but not be limited to, scheduled meetings (weekly) to assess output progress, systems training (if required) and completion of required university reports for the purpose of meeting any necessary Degree requirements. Competencies Core Values/Guiding Principles;

Work Arrangements :

  • The intern will be based in Dakar, Senegal;
  • The intern will work under the supervision of the UNCDF Regional Coordinator in WCA and its team;
  • The position is open to candidates from all nationalities, Senegalese included;
  • Please note that internships are paid about USD 100 per month. UNCDF's internal rules do not allow the organization to provide compensation for travel and living expenses;
  • Please note that interns are not employees of UNCDF;
  • All costs/fees associated with the intern’s participation in the program must be borne by the intern;
  • All work done by the intern and documents shared with him/her are strictly confidential.

Competencies

The intern must meet the following criteria :

  • Demonstrates consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UNCDF in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct
  • Demonstrates an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff
  • Demonstrates an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity. Core competencies
  • Demonstrates strong writing skills, particularly the ability to present persuasive, coherent and well-founded arguments
  • Has ability to write in a style that is accessible to a broad audience of policymakers, academics and activists
  • Demonstrates drive to achieve results in timely manner and to seek and find solutions to any problems encountered
  • Has ability to communicate clearly and persuasively

The intern must also meet the following functional competencies :

  • Ability to convert complex and abstract ideas into simple visual concepts
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task
  • Ability to work in a multicultural environment and be aware of political sensitivities
  • Familiarity with content management systems, graphic design and photo editing software applications (Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop)
  • Familiarity with social media platforms and graphic design and photo editing software applications (Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop)
  • Knowledge on designing for web, print and digital media is highly desirable. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidate must be enrolled in a degree programme in Communications, Graphic Design, Digital Marketing or another related field.

Candidate must either be :

  • Enrolled in graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher);
  • Enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent);
  • Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation; Additional assignment-specific qualifications: Solid understanding of international relations and development.

Experience:

  • Knowledge of web communication technologies
  • Knowledge of web design, usability, information architecture
  • Knowledge of search engine optimization techniques and web analytics tools
  • Competency in web content management systems
  • Proficiency in professional desktop publishing, photo editing, graphic digital design and presentation
  • Experience in communications and social media outreach
  • Proficient in using new technologies, web-based platforms and social media networks; familiarity with the Adobe Creative Suite and other design platforms is a plus
  • Self-starter; organized; able to multitask and balance multiple responsibilities.

Language:

Fluency in French is required. Fluency in English is highly desirable.  Knowledge of other UN languages will be considered a plus.

General Internships Terms & Conditions:

  • UNCDF Internship programme is governed by the UNDP Internship Policy Framework & Rules.
  • Under the new revised UNDP Internship Policy, UNCDF will provide a modest monthly internship stipend to its interns, in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy. All expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or her/his sponsoring entity/institution. Stipends are available for internships (when conditions are met and if applicable).
  • Selected Interns must be able to share proof of education enrolment and/ or graduation, medical/ health and life/accident insurance, valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out and be able to provide insurance documentary proof at the time of their selection.
  • The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNCDF but to complement an Intern’s studies and learning growth.
  • There is no expectation of employment at the end of these internships.
  • The work done by the intern and the documents shared with him/her are strictly confidential.

Application Process:

Please note that the UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents (CV/ Resume, Cover Letter etc. into a single file before uploading).

  • In your application, please state in one paragraph why you would like to be considered for the internship and your primary motivation to apply for this role (1-pager) and an updated CV in English or French ;
  • Please note that you will need to answer the mandatory questions on timeframe and availability (under Additional Questions section), which is a part of the internship application process, in addition to your cover letter ;
  • Please submit your Resume/CV and an application using the UNCDF Internship Application form in either English or French:  http://www.uncdf.org/download/file/127/2509/internshipdoc ;
  • Applications should include the application form and latest Resume.  Applicants are welcome to submit any additional work samples or portfolios in one single file, preferably PDF.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This is a general call for internships throughout 2022.  We accept applications from interested and qualified applicants, on an ongoing basis for this Local Transformative Finance (LTF) Internship at our Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal. 

Interested candidates can apply at any time indicating the timeframe of their availability in the internship form. However, only those candidates selected for interviews / further assessment by hiring managers will be contacted on an ongoing basis, as per organizational need.