UNCDF Jobs - 74189- Intern, SHIFT SAARC Programme (UNCDF)

Intern, SHIFT SAARC Programme (UNCDF)

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2017

Application Deadline :

10-Sep-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

3-6 months (06 months preferable)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Pls. note that this is an open call for applications, pls. indicate your availability from October 2

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 United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)’s mission is to reduce poverty in the world’s 48 least developed countries (LDCs) by focusing on local development and financial inclusion. UNCDF provides investment capital and technical support to both the public and the private sector. It provides capital financing -- in the forms of grants, soft loans and credit enhancement – and the technical expertise to unleash sustainable financing at the local level.

UNCDF’s ‘Shaping Inclusive Financial Transformations’ (SHIFT) program aims to catalyze access to formal financial services to advance women’s economic empowerment and gendered financial inclusion for millions of women in the ASEAN and SAARC markets in the next five years.

The intern will work on the SHIFT SAARC programme that focuses on linking real economy and financial markets to enable low income people, especially women and small and growing businesses to access and use financial services and leverage them to access employment, entrepreneurship and investment opportunities to improve their livelihoods and reduce poverty.

UNCDF is implementing SHIFT SAARC approach firstly in Bangladesh. Bangladesh represents a good country for SHIFT SAARC implementation given it is transitioning from Least Developed Country (LDC) to Middle Income Country (MIC) thus providing multiple opportunities for demonstration of the importance of greater inclusion in making this transition.

SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh key strategic interventions include:

• Generate data on digital financial services to improve evidence and knowledge around Digital Financial Services (DFS) in Bangladesh (Data and Evidence).

The data collection and research component focuses on undertaking research activities to further inform DFS practice and policy, as well as to bring Bangladesh’s DFS knowledge and experiences to the global arena. The aim is to support the Government of Bangladesh’s (GOB) agenda about improving knowledge and information on DFS by providing evidence base for the private sector (suppliers) and others in supporting their efforts to innovate and find solutions for DFS. SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh closely works with selected national research/policy organizations to further advance their capacities in research around DFS.

• Strengthen technical knowledge through training and technical assistance, to support knowledge and practice on DFS (Self-assessment based Capacity Enhancement).

The capacity enhancement component builds on UNCDF’s significant experience on strengthening DFS capacities and training activities. The focus is especially on activities that contribute directly to accelerating DFS in Bangladesh. The aim is to support building competences required in the context of guiding DFS acceleration efforts in the country. SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh closely works with national stakeholders to further advance their capacities in DFS.

• Analyse regulatory and policy framework and formulated recommendations to inform the DFS policy process and review (Policy and Advocacy).

SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh has initiated a dialogue with the Bangladesh Bank on aspects of policy and regulatory needs necessary to enable greater acceleration of DFS. SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh has reviewed the current regulatory and policy framework and produced analysis and suggested recommendations to inform the DFS policy and strategy formulation.

• Inform opinion shapers, DFS providers, meso level organizations, small businesses and women associations about DFS through communication campaigns (Innovation and Communication).

The communication campaign will first target wider communities of policy makers and opinion shapers, thereafter it will gradually involve meso level organizations, small business and women associations.

Objectives of the assignment

The Intern will assist the SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh team in undertaking work supporting the implementation of one of the outputs listed above: 1. data and evidence; 2. capacity enhancement; 3. policy and advocacy; 4 innovation and communication.

It is requested that the applicant state which of these areas are of interest in the applicants cover letter.

Duties and Responsibilities

Data Analysis:

Support in-depth data analysis to inform SHIFT’s SAARC in Bangladesh policy publications.
Analyze, consolidate and communicate data and information on supply, demand and innovation in financial markets to strengthen the evidence base around DFS in Bangladesh.
Produce and analyze and disseminate data on financial inclusion and DFS, with focus on sex, gender and household disaggregation and analysis.
Curate and analyze demand, supply and case studies data, collected through financial diaries, merchants landscaping, Big Data projects and regular monitoring.
Conduct deep-dive research and thematic analysis on financial inclusion with specific reference to gendered financial inclusion, digital financial services, market competition etc.
Analyze trends and market segments on DFS at local, provincial, sector and national levels.
Produce and coordinate easy-to-use presentation and communication material including data dashboards, maps, graphs, charts, info-graphics, blogs and other presentation material.
Synthesize research outcomes and lessons learned into formats tailored to government, DFS providers, private sector and donors.
Provide support to other ad-hoc assignments directed by the supervisor.

Capacity Enhancement:

Explore the options for training/capacity building amongst DFS regulators, industry associations, related to gender and women economic empowerment.
Prioritize capacity building needs for various DFS-related stakeholders SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh works with, and customize and standardize these tools or package of practice for wider dissemination.
Support the integration of lessons learnt into the activities of the broader SHIFT SAARC Programme.
Support SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh’s monitoring and evaluation by supporting the review and analysis of activities, field reporting, key indicator tracking and informing key findings to SHIFT SAARC management.
Document key monitoring findings in SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh’s monitoring dashboards.
Provide support to other ad-hoc assignments directed by the supervisor.

Policy and Advocacy:

Conduct case studies, analysis and policy research on financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment: topic areas may include DFS, financial product and services innovations, etc.
Support advocacy efforts through the development of relevant content and messaging around DFS for key stakeholders.
Support the SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh’s team in the organization of exposure visits and learning exchanges.
Support SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh’s team with administrative, promotional or other duties.
Provide support to other ad-hoc assignments directed by the supervisor.

Innovation and Communication:

Conduct case studies and trend analysis of potential market innovations around DFS.
Support in the drafting of appealing messages around accelerating DFS to feed into the communications campaigns.
Support the organization of roundtables, workshops, conferences around relevant topics on DFS acceleration in Bangladesh.
Support in reviewing reports, leaflets and other communications materials produced by SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh project.
Support in increasing the visibility of the project and showcase the results achieved during the implementation.
Document lessons learned.
Provide support to other ad-hoc assignments directed by the supervisor.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Commitment to UNCDFs vision, mission, and strategic goals;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills;
Able to work effectively in a team and in an international environment.

Functional Competencies:

Demonstrable skills in research, analytical thinking, and communication;
Excellent writing and editing skills in English;
Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines;
Able to take initiative and work independently, with minimum supervision;
Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure within an international setting;
Interest in the UN system and general knowledge of development issues is a plus;
Ability to perform a variety of administrative tasks.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidates may be enrolled (or one year after graduation) in a Master’s degree or equivalent studies.

Experience:

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.

Language:

Strong writing and speaking abilities in English.

Duration of Assignment:

Please note that this is an open call for applications, please indicate your availability from October 2017 to December 2018.

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 (i.e. Dhaka, Bangladesh);
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 Resume/CV and an application using the UNCDF Internship Application form: http://www.uncdf.org/sites/default/files/internship.doc
Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.