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 development 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. 

UNCDF is seeking for interns for several units and programmes within the inclusive digital economy (IDE) team. Working under the guidance and supervision of the different unit supervisors, the interns will support the ongoing workplan and goals of the units.

The three units seeking for interns are the Migration and Remittance team the Policy Accelerator team and the Knowledge Management and Communication team.

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 (where required) and completion of required university reports for the purpose of meeting any necessary Degree requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of  different unit leaders, different teams within the IDE practice of UNCDF are looking for the below interns: 

1. Policy Interns for East Africa for the Policy Accelerator team (Kampala, Uganda or Addis Ababa, Ethiopia).
2. Policy Interns with focus on gender and research (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or Kampala, Uganda or Brussels, Belgium).
3. Policy Interns with focus on West and Central Africa (WCA) (Dakar, Senegal or home based in Douala or Yaoundé, Cameroon).
4. Communication Interns to support to the knowledge management (KM) and communication efforts of the team (Brussels, Belgium).
5. Data Analytics and Research Interns for the Migration and Remittance team (Geneva, Switzerland or in Bangkok, Thailand) Please note that for the data analytics and research team, only full-time internship is possible.
6. Gender Research Interns for the Migration and Remittance team (New York, United States) Please note that for the gender research team, only full-time internship is possible.

Summary of key functions: 

The interns will assist with the below activities under the different teams/units based in the different locations:

1. Policy Interns for East Africa for the Policy Accelerator team (Kampala, Uganda or Addis Ababa, Ethiopia).

• Provide research support on reviewing regulatory and legal documents in ESA markets. Draft and update diagnostics studies on FCP related issues, if and when needed. The intern is to work directly with the ESA team on reviewing regulatory documents on digital financial inclusion as and when needed;
• Assist with drafting technical documents comprising key insights on financial consumer protection, and inhibitors and enablers of regulations within ESA market countries;
• Participate in calls with regulators and policy makers on DFS issues, including FCP related issues;
• Provide analysis on alignment and harmonisation of regulations, with particular attention to FCP regulations;
• Support the needs assessment of regulators and the implementation of the learning agenda by tracking participation in capacity building activities, CRM upkeep and supporting correspondence with participants. 

2. Policy Interns with focus on gender and research (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or Kampala, Uganda or Brussels, Belgium).

• Help with communication and advocacy tasks (e.g., drafting social media posts) linked to UNCDF’s gender mainstreaming efforts;
• Draft and edit blogs, presentations, infographics and articles summarizing insights and lessons learned from WDFI country and global projects;
• Support with the content and logistics for internal and external gender-related events, including sessions bringing together FSPs, policymakers and regulators, multilaterals, etc.;
• Support the delivery of research activities, such as stakeholder interviews, field research, assessment of policies and regulations, as well as the dissemination of findings; 
• Update and contribute to our database of relevant laws, regulations, and case studies;
• Support in the delivery of training and workshops for policymakers;
• Support with grant reporting activities.

3. Policy Interns with focus on West and Central Africa (WCA) will be based in Dakar,-Senegal or home-based in Douala, Cameroon or Yaounde, Cameroon. 

• Provide research support on reviewing regulatory and legal documents in West and Central African markets. Draft and update diagnostics studies on FCP related issues, if and when needed. The intern is to work directly with the regional team on reviewing regulatory documents on digital financial inclusion as and when needed;
• Assist with drafting technical documents comprising key insights on financial consumer protection, and inhibitors and enablers of regulations within ESA market countries.;
• Participate in calls with regulators and policy makers on DFS issues, including FCP related issues
• Provide analysis on alignment and harmonisation of regulations, with particular attention to FCP regulations;
• Support research and data analysis to allow for evidence-based technical advisory;
• Support the needs assessment of regulators and the implementation of the learning agenda by tracking participation in capacity building activities, CRM upkeep and supporting correspondence with participants.

4. Communication Interns to support to the knowledge management (KM) and communication efforts of the team (Brussels, Belgium).

• Edit or write blog articles, news and press releases before publication;
• Publish content on the website of the programme;
• Maintain presence in social networks, by drafting social media posts for Twitter and LinkedIn and publishing videos on Youtube of the programme;
• Follow the development and publication process of reports, programme learnings and infographics and communication tools for the programme;
• Support the maintenance of the contact database and picture database;
• Draft event minutes or reports on workshops;
• Other tasks as requested by the Knowledge Management and Communications Analyst;
• Maintain the dashboard of publications;
• Compile and monitor the statistics of the publications produced by the team;
• Support the monitoring of the performance of social media activities;
• Support the organization of knowledge sharing events and meetings in Belgium and in Africa and Asia.

5. Data Analytics and Research Interns for the Migration and Remittance team (Geneva, Switzerland or in Bangkok, Thailand).

• Conduct demand side analytics on financial inclusion and national surveys such as Findex, Finscope, Intermedia, National Household Surveys, and analysis of remittance customer data collected by UNCDF including 3,000 phone surveys and 100 qualitative interviews to identify gendered research insights, M&E work that can drive innovation and policies in remittances (see example);
• Migrant lean data phone surveys;
• Support the supply side analysis using anonymized customer and transaction level data of remittance service providers to track financial service usage and impacts by conducting gender, age and other demographic disaggregated data analysis. UNCDF has set up data collaboratives with remittance companies gathering over 70 million transaction records;  
• Support in data curation, maintain, acquire and mine the remittance service providers and demand side datasets;
• Maintain and update the national survey datasets; 
• Support the development of financial inclusion and SDG-related dashboards;
• Support in the experimentation of new survey methods for impact measurement including mobile phone surveys (e.g. on remittances and financial inclusion and health, women’s empowerment, etc);   
• Support in the drafting of case studies. Support in maintaining and updating the qualitative database for case study and end-beneficiaries analyses of the progress of innovation partners in implementing their digital finance and Fintech innovations;
• Conduct desk and literature review on digital and Fintech solutions and keep abreast of latest insights in market trends and impact research;
• Support in qualitative and quantitative study on customer journey mapping;
• Support in data collection and survey design on migrant centric production development;
• Conduct data cleaning, data curation and visualization to inform the product design;
• Support in content development for easy-to-use knowledge products including blogs, website materials, infographic, presentations etc. Review and edit, working papers, research and communications materials;
• Synthesize and summarize research outcomes and lessons learned into formats tailored to government, digital finance service providers, private sector and donors;
• The Data Analytics and Research interns.

6. Gender Research interns for the Migration and Remittance team (New York, USA).

• Conduct desk research with a focus on gender equality in remittances – in policy and innovation – and case studies of private and public sector stakeholders that have successfully applied a gender lens in remittances to support UNCDF’s suggested pathways and strategies for gender mainstreaming in remittances;
• Conduct secondary analysis of remittance customer data collected by UNCDF including 3,000 phone surveys and 100 qualitative interviews to identify gendered insights that can drive innovation and policies in remittances;
• Draft and edit blogs, presentations, infographics and articles summarizing the gendered insights from the secondary analysis, other gender mainstreaming activities with UNCDF’s RSP/FSP and policy partners and UNCDF’s Empowered Customers Framework;
• Support with the content and logistics for internal and external gender-related events for the Migration and Remittances team, including the Gender CoLab sessions bringing together RSPs/FSPs, policymakers and regulators, multilaterals and other stakeholders in the remittances industry;
• Contribute to setting up the architecture and foundational documents for the Migration and Remittances team’s Gender Helpdesk including the business case for mainstreaming gender in remittances, key facts on migrant women’s financial inclusion and resilience etc.;
• Help with communication and advocacy tasks (e.g., drafting social media posts) linked to UNCDF’s gender mainstreaming efforts in remittances;  
• Support with other technical and logistical tasks as required by the team.

Competencies

Guiding Principles:

• 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;
• Demonstrates an intellectual curiosity and deep desire to learn.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates strong writing skills, particularly the ability to present persuasive, coherent and well-founded arguments;
• Demonstrates ability to write in a style that is accessible to a broad audience of policymakers, private sector stakeholders and academics;
• Demonstrates drive to achieve results in timely manner and to seek and find solutions to any problems encountered;
• Demonstrates ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to convert complex and abstract ideas into simple visual concepts;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask;
• Must be able to work in a multicultural environment and be aware of political sensitivities.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualiication:

• Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree 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;
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Desirable Skillset & Experience: 

For all interns:

• An understanding of international development and digital financial and non-financial services and knowledge of some aspects of remittances, digital finance and technology and/or the policy and innovation environment that guides them is required
• Excellent speaking and writing skills in English is required.
• Fluency in French desirable;
• Knowledge of any other UN lanaguage will be considered a plus.

For the Policy Interns in West Africa only:

• Excellent speaking and writing skills in French is required;
• Proficiency in English will be considered a distinct advantage.

In addition, the below competencies and skills are required for the different internships:

For Policy interns for East Africa and Gender (Intern 1 & 2).

• Demonstrated interest in topics related to socioeconomic development, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment;
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills;
• Ability to take initiative and work independently;
• Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks;
• Excellent computer capabilities (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, data analysis software). 

For Policy interns in West Africa (Intern 3).

• Demonstrated research and analytical capacity; 
• Excellent computer capabilities. (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, data analysis software);
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills;
• Ability to take initiative and work independently;
• Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks;
• Demonstrated interest in topics related to socioeconomic development, financial inclusion, digital financial services, Capacity Building. 

For Communication interns (Intern 4).

• Experience creating presentations, creating Excel files and writing papers that capture complex concepts and put them into simple language;
• Experience in managing social media content, drafting press releases and other communication assets
• Self-starter; organized; able to multitask, balance multiple responsibilities, and work to deadline.

For  Data analytics and Research interns for the Migration and Remittance portfolio (Intern 5). 

• Demonstrated experience (part or full-time, paid or volunteer) in economics, policy related work, finance, inclusive finance or related fields;
• Demonstrated research and analytical capacity;
• Excellent computer capabilities (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Experienced in STATA, R-Studio, Tableau, Nvivo, Power-BI, Python, or other similar data analytic tools;
• Demonstrated interest in topics related to socioeconomic development, financial inclusion, digital financial services, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment;
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills;
• Ability to take initiative and work independently;
• Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks;

For Gender Research interns for the Migration and Remittance portfolio (Intern 6).

• Demonstrated interest in topics related to socioeconomic development, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment;
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills;
• Ability to take initiative and work independently;
• Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks;
• Excellent computer capabilities (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, data analysis software). 
• Strong design skills in Adobe Indesign etc.

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 into a single file before uploading). The whole application file submitted cannot exceed 7 pages.

• 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 internship 
• Please note that it is mandatory to (1) select one or more of the teams and (2) answer the questions on timeframe and availability  (under Additional Questions section), you would like to do an internship with based on the tasks described 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: 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, in PDF. The whole application file submitted cannot exceed 7 pages.
• 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.

General Internships Terms & Conditions:

• UNCDF Internship programme is governed by the UNDP Internship Policy Framework & Rules.
• The maximum internship duration is 6 months.
• Interns are partially financially remunerated by UNCDF. The costs associated with the assignment will be partially supported by UNCDF and the rest to 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.
• 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 only for full-time/on-site internships at this time.
• 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.
• It is expected that due to CoVID-19 restrictions in place, the most immediate internship assignments will be home-based till the situation in respective duty station improves.
• 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.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This is a general call for internships throughout 2023.  We accept applications from interested and qualified applicants, on an ongoing basis. 

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 ongoing basis as per organizational need.