Intern - Inclusive Finance



Advertised on behalf of :

Location : Bangkok, Thailand
Application Deadline :28-Feb-14 (Midnight New York, USA)
Type of Contract :Internship
Post Level :Intern
Languages Required :
 English  
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)		24-Mar-2014
Duration of Initial Contract :3-6 months
Expected Duration of Assignment :3-6 months

Background
UNCDF invests its funding and technical capabilities in financial systems in LDCs and other developing countries by facilitating the development of microfinance markets at the macro, meso and micro levels. It maintains a strong emphasis on building retail capacity to deliver quality microfinance services to poor people, but it also invests in supporting discrete policy work and strengthening country infrastructures to support retain institutions where necessary to maximize outcomes of our investments at the retail level. UNCDF’s financial-systems approach and results have received strong endorsement from CGAP’s SmartAid for Microfinance Index. Highlighted strengths include UNCDF’s overall capacity to manage high quality microfinance programmes using best-practice interventions, its depth of in-house technical specialists and its strategic agility. UNCDF is looking to significantly expand the scope of its work in Asia. This will involve scaling up financial investments and technical assistance in mostly LDCs but also increasingly in non-LDCs as well. In some cases, UNCDF will be making independent investments; in others these investments will be done jointly with UNDP, especially in non-LDCs to comply with current UNDP policy requiring UNCDF to be the lead technical supplier and policy advisor on all UNDP microfinance related work globally. To meet growing demand and commitments, UNCDF will supplement its small core staff capability in the regional office by retaining, maintaining and growing a flexible network of technical specialists. The roster of technical specialists will be hired on rolling 1-year retainer contracts and whose services will be sought as and when needed.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Intern will assist the Financial Inclusion Practice Area team in Bangkok by working primarily on the regional project initiatives in the ASEAN area but also in supporting ongoing financial inclusion projects carried out by UNCDF in the country offices of Asia-Pacific Region.
 
The intern will work under the primary supervision of the Senior Technical Advisor, Inclusive Finance (Asia) in the Regional Office Bangkok.
 
The intern will be responsible for:
  • Provide backstopping to key activities of the regional inclusive finance team involved in the ASEAN projects.
  • Assist in liaising with UNCDF country office teams
  • Assist in carrying out technical research through pertinent websites, internal and external publications in the area of ASEAN financial integration.
  • Assist in data collection and assessment of outputs as part of the ASEAN project activities. 
  • Provide support on the development of the regional team ASEAN portfolio reports and communication materials.


Competencies
Functional Competencies:
  • Demonstrable skills in analytical thinking, communication, and research;
  • Strong organizational, communication and inter-personal skills with ability to work under pressure within an international setting;
  • Ability to perform a variety of administrative tasks; 
  • Able to take initiative and work independently;
  • Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks;
  • Proficient computer skills and knowledge of automated systems; 
  • Strong writing and editing skills in English.


Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Currently enrolment in a Masters or equivalent degree in Economics, Social Science, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience:

  • Demonstrated experience, part or full-time, paid or volunteer, in microfinance, inclusive finance, or related fields of finance, development, research, advocacy, and policy development.

 Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English is required;

Conditions:

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNCDF. The costs associated with the latter must 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. Have medical and life insurance;

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

Please submit your application using the UNCDF Internship Application form.
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.


If you are experiencing difficulties with online job applications, please contact erecruit.helpdesk@undp.org.
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