UNDP Jobs - 71460- Intern - Social Finance

Intern - Social Finance

Location :

Bangkok, Thailand, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

15-May-2017

Application Deadline :

11-Apr-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3-6 months

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

The international community is set to commit to a new set of ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting the need to transform economies, end poverty, and tackle the challenge of climate change.

Private finance will be critical in helping countries to transform and grow in a sustainable way, providing jobs, particularly for the poorest and most marginalized and enabling countries to broaden their financing base and exit aid dependence. Private flows to developing countries are already increasing, reflecting increased attention on investment opportunities in global growth markets.

By blending development finance or philanthropic funds with private capital, all actors in a Blended Finance transaction benefit from win-win-win solutions. Wins for the development funders, as they can magnify the impacts of small amounts of public sector support to leverage larger amounts of private finance. Wins for commercial investors as they secure viable returns on worthwhile projects in developing countries as more funds are channeled to help transform economies, societies, and lives.

The UNDP Social Impact Fund (UNDP-UNSIF) initiative is established with the objective of accelerating the scale-up of social impact investment models through a new platform that leverages traditional development funding with social impact equity investment partners. The goal is to attract follow-on and additional investment capital that can lead to greater social impact while providing the potential for sustainable and inclusive economic returns. UNSIF provides a facility that, in cooperation with the implementation capacity of the UN and its partners, rigorously promotes measurable social impacts, economic sustainable for all its stakeholders. This creates a new financing architecture that leverages the traditional development funding pathways of pooled grants with private debt, equity and quasi-equity investments.

Duties and Responsibilities

The UNDP UN Social Impact Fund (UNDP-UNSIF) project of the Bangkok Regional Hub offers opportunities for interns who may be interested in gaining experience in impact investment and blended finance, especially in the Asia Pacific region.

The Intern will primarily be involved in assisting in the implementation of the UNDP-UNSIF programme and research analysis of the social enterprise and social impact finance sectors in Asia-Pacific.

Scope of Work

S/he will report directly to the Chief, UNDP-UNSIF and the main tasks of the Intern include the following:

Assist the UNSIF team to conduct outreach and engagement with social enterprises, impact enterprises, high-net worth individuals, foundations, corporate CSR, investment institutions and associated organizations and networks;
Conduct research on social impact investment related themes; including social entrepreneurship, venture philanthropy, new development financing models, developing social impact assessment models, etc.;
Writing case studies and additional publications to increase the awareness and importance of UNDP-UNSIF work;
Assist in the design and implementation of regional or national social enterprise (SE) challenges, ‘pitch events’ and other selection models that identify, source and vet potential SEs for funding;
Assist in the support the implementation of the UNSIF programme in project design planning, stakeholder consultations and preparing program reporting frameworks;
Support UNSIF due diligence activities using standard environmental, social and economic KPIs including financial modelling and analysis, social impact criteria and analysis, reputational risk assessments, development of methodology and tools, data analysis, report writing with constructive recommendations, etc.;
Assist in the identification and selection of consultants to provide short-term technical assistance on project design, partnership development, technical analyses and project implementation support;
Other tasks as agreed beforehand with the supervisor.

Competencies

Demonstrate commitment to the UN’s core values;
Respects individual, gender and cultural differences in dealing with others;
Treat all people fairly without favoritism.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or;
Enrolled in a final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent) or;
Graduated with a university degree - and if selected, must start the internship within one year after graduation;
Field of studies in business administration, finance, social finance, investment management, etc. would be desirable.

Experience

Strong knowledge of social impact investing, social entrepreneurship, the start-up activities/events within the Asia-Pacific region
Strong understanding of the business fundamentals behind social impact investing, inclusive and social business models, scaling start-up, etc.;
Strong understanding of the social impacts that can be associated with next-generation technologies;
Strong relationship building, networking, writing, communication and research skills;
Broad understanding of the social development models and policies;

Language

Written and spoken proficiency in English;
Written and spoken proficiency in other Asian languages an advantage

Conditions:

UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;
All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution;
UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
Interns are not eligible to apply for any positions (Fixed-Term Appointment, Temporary Appointment, Service Contract, Individual Contract) in UNDP during the period of the internship;
The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan;
Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Subsequent Employment:

There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship.