Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital.  UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia and the Pacific, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis.  It provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help microfinance institutions reach more poor households and small businesses, and local governments finance the capital investments – water systems, feeder roads, schools, irrigation schemes – that will improve poor peoples’ lives.

Starting in 2009, UNCDF began to support for digital finance because we are concerned that the countries that need it the most are succeeding the least. As an early supporter, UNCDF saw its potential and challenges.  UNCDF first supported digital finance through the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) out of which it developed UNCDF MM4P to focus on Africa and Asia. Digital now feature prominently in most of UNCDF’s financial inclusion work and it is increasingly focus on digital solutions for specific uses such as clean energy and population segments, particularly women and youth. UNCDF also hosts the secretariat of the Better than Cash Alliance. The Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA) is a partnership of governments, companies and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to digital payments in order to reduce poverty and drive inclusive growth. 

In partnership and with financing from the Metlife Foundation, UNCDF through the MM4P Programmme is implementing an innovation engagement in Malaysia and China followed by other countries of Asia and Africa, that would focus on driving usage of financial services working on various use-cases where technology plays a key part and that overall results in financial health as a key outcome. This drive towards usage would involve working on two key aspects, one working with the established providers exposed to new models of solving problem specially by crowding in solutions across start-ups or individuals and second working with the start-ups to solve use-cases that would drive the customers to actively consume financial services. In the process work with government and regulators to support innovation and open frameworks that could drive creation of plug and play model between start-ups and industry players.

Based on MM4P Theory of Change, UNCDF’s objective is to help drive financial health under the innovation approach that would deepen financial inclusion and result in increasing the number of adults actively using financial services.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNCDF is seeking one intern for each area described below who can support the work of the Malaysia inclusive digital finance innovation hub, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in the following areas of work. In their application the candidates should indicate which area they are applying for.

Research: Customer Insights and Behaviour Trends:

• Under the guidance of the Team Lead and/or her/his designee, to compile research findings (e.g. best practices, lessons learnt, experiences and key narratives) on low and moderate income segments in Malaysia;
• Compile and analyse data on low income market segments, draw trends and support the team on formulating problem statements that could be used to search/support new solutions
• Assist in undertaking primary research and client-centric enquiry to develop and proto-type financial products for targeted market segments – including but not limited to MSME financing, remittances, inclusive insurance and savings.
• Collaborate with existing research and academic institutions on joint research projects.

Communications and Advocacy:

• Under the guidance of the KM Associate, assist in raising the profile of UNCDF’s work in Malaysia amongst its stakeholders
• Assist with the development of awareness raising, advocacy and knowledge products, including infographic and other communication materials using various mediums including social media
• Compile a database of organizations (including academia, accelerators, incubators, co-working spaces) which can partner with UNCDF to build an effective community of practice around inclusive digital finance
• Provide support to events including hackathons, workshops, panel discussions, special meetups etc.

Cross-Country Cooperation and Mentoring:

• Under the guidance the Team Lead and/or her/his designee, to research on cross country technical cooperation programmes to distil lessons and models for adaptation by UNCDF in operationalizing its knowledge and learning agenda around inclusive digital finance
• Assist in researching alternative models for a responsive mentoring programme to enable industry players/corporates to provide mentoring support to fintech start-up at various stages of their growth.
• Compile a database of potential industry players and corporations (and their respective skillsets) with the potential of participating in the mentoring programme.
• Assist in developing a digital platform for the smooth functioning of the mentoring programme.

Competencies

Core Competences:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNCDF;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competences:

• Demonstrated interest in financial inclusion and curiosity related to development in general;
• Ability to work under pressure, to prioritize and to show a spirit of initiative and a capacity to work in an independent way with limited supervision;
• Self-management and emotional intelligence;
• Excellent communication skills;
• High degree of organization and initiative;
• Ability to multi-task and work independently;
• Ability to prioritize and work under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants to the internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

(a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);

(b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);

(c) Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Access, etc); good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based information management systems;
• Interns supporting the Research and Communications work streams must have the respective data analysis, experience in conducting customer research for the research stream and communications/graphics skills for communication workstream.
• High degree of organization and initiative;
• Ability to multi-task and work independently;
• Strong interpersonal social skills and ability to work within a diversified team environment as a contributing member.

Language:

• Mandatory: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English;
• A plus: Knowledge of written and spoken Malay and/or Mandarin;

Other:

• Interns are not staff members;
• All costs connected with an intern's participation in the programme must be borne by the students or the nominating institutions as appropriate;
• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

Work Arrangements:

• The intern will work full-time with the UNCDF digital innovation hub located in Kuala Lumpur.
• Office space and other support facilities will be provided but the intern is expected to use her/his own computer.

Evaluation:

The top 3 shortlisted candidates shall be invited for an interview.

Application:

Please upload one document in word format including the following:

• Signed UNCDF Internship Application form (available at uncdf.org/download/file/127/2509/internshipdoc
• Your CV.
• Motivation letter.

Please group all your documents into one single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

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.

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