UNDP Jobs - 76160- Social Entrepreneurship, Challenge Funds and Innov

Social Entrepreneurship, Challenge Funds and Innovation Grants Intern

Location :

Lilongwe, MALAWI

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

01-Feb-2018

Application Deadline :

29-Dec-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

UNDP Malawi is supporting a portfolio of inclusive business solutions to address Malawi’s development challenges. In particular UNDP Malawi is focusing on three initiatives: 1) establishment of a Growth Accelerator to spur innovation and growth by start-up companies by increasing access to early-stage finance; 2) delivery of an enterprise challenge fund to accelerate market innovation, deliver social impact and spur business development in the agri-business, manufacturing, logistics, and irrigation sectors; and 3) business advisory services and financial support to social enterprises in the renewable energy sector. The intern will provide support to UNDP’s private sector development team on the above-mentioned initiatives, and will work under the supervision of the UNDP Private Sector Development Specialist, and in close cooperation with the UNDP Portfolio Manager for Resilience and Sustainable Growth, the economic competitiveness team, and renewable energy teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

Based on the competency profile of the successful candidate, duties and responsibilities of the Intern may include:

Research activities related to: social entrepreneurship and impact investment trends in Malawi and the region:

Support the preparation of communication products within the scope of private sector development, social entrepreneurship and renewable energy, including compilation of social entrepreneurship initiatives in Malawi, lessons learned, approaches, challenges and solutions.
Support consultations and primary data collection for a market assessment of private sector demand, challenges and opportunities to facilitate an energy transition to renewables by Malawian companies.

Support engagement with stakeholders:

Through social media, communication products and other platforms, support dissemination communication products pertaining to UNDP’s experience in Malawi in, challenge funds,and innovation grants, and social entrepreneurship.
Support the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism within the context of implementing the Buy Malawi Strategy and coordinating the conduct of project steering committees under the PSD portfolio.

Others duties:

The Intern will provide analytical support across the spectrum of UNDP’s innovation portfolio in Malawi, including market and business development, acceleration of SME growth.
Other tasks may be assigned as required.

Competencies

Knowledge of social entrepreneurship, impact investment, innovative business solutions;
Excellent intercultural skills;
Ability to work under the pressure, with minimum supervision and on-distance;
Demonstrated initiative, tact and high sense of responsibility and discretion;
Strong teamwork skills;
Excellent communication skills, written and oral;
Strong computer literacy and proficiency in MS Office (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Enrolled in or recently completed Masters' Degree in business administration, finance, social entrepreneurship, commerce, or other relevant field (within 1 year of graduation).

Experience:

Some exposure to or direct experience working in the domains of social entrepreneurship, market innovation, impact investment, business support services, and development finance would be an asset,
Experience in conducting research, desk reviews and surveys is a strong asset

Language:

Good command of spoken and written English.

Important to note:

Remuneration:

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of:

The nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or
The intern, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence through private sources.
Medical Insurance

Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide a medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.

Applicants for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For applicants who are neither nationals or residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:

Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;
Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.
Interns’ expenses

Costs incurred by interns, including undertaking official travel at the request of UNDP, in the discharge of the activities related to the internship shall be reimbursed by UNDP on the same basis as costs incurred by staff members or costs reimbursed to staff members, including payment of daily subsistence allowance, as applicable.

UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship.