Background

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 47 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private financial resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. In Bangladesh, UNCDF is supporting initiatives designed to unlock the flow of domestic and private sector capital to invest in infrastructure and service projects needed to accelerate local economic development and private sector development. By strengthening how finance works at the local level, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 (no poverty), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 11 (resilient cities), and 17 (unlocking public & private finance for the poor at the local level) on the means of implementation by identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping reach the last mile and address exclusion and gender inequalities of access.

UNCDF provides seed capital, loans and targeted technical support to help development finance institutions reach more poor households and small businesses, and local governments finance the capital investments. In Bangladesh, UNCDF is implementing the Local Finance Initiative (LFI) programme methodologies and tools that are designed to unlock the flow of capital to invest small and medium-sized infrastructure projects that are required to accelerate local economic development and private sector development for IELD Bangladesh programme and Municipal Investment Finance programme.

The Intern (Investment) will work under the direct supervision of UNCDF’s Program Analyst (Investment), based in Dhaka, Bangladesh and will have constant supervision and guidance from the internship supervisor and the UNCDF programme management in Bangladesh and Region.

Duties and Responsibilities

Compile, validate and report on financial related data and evidence:

• Collect and compile relevant financial data and evidence from books of accounts, cash book, register, bank statement, balance sheet, others record, files and registers.
• Analyze business trends and market segments on SME’s, private sector, public private partnership, NGO’s social business and public sectors businesses. 
• Produce and coordinate easy-to-use presentation and communication material including data dashboards, maps, graphs, charts, info-graphics, blogs and other presentation material. 
• Synthesize program related financial research outcomes and lessons learned into formats tailored to LGI’s including municipalities, Private entrepreneurs and SMEs.
• Provide support to other ad-hoc assignments directed by the supervisor.

Investment due diligence:

• Analyze investment related documentation (i.e. audited financial accounts, cash book, banking related documents, register, staff payment, maintained sales register, files and other documents check and validate.
• Verify financial report and data through cross-checking with different sources 
• Detect irregularities, manipulated, irrelevant, tempered or any confused data (if any)
• Review and check authenticity of title deed, registration, ownership documents, utilities, rental document, bank sanction letter, bank statement, Tax, VAT related certification and documents.
• Cross check of various information related to inputs collection, machineries, production, product supply, value chain, marketing, environment, compliance management as well as issues related with human resources management 
• Provide support to other ad-hoc assignments directed by the supervisor.

Business proposal and business plan preparation:

• Assist in the preparation of draft business proposal including investment rational, financial projection, commercial assumption, commercial feasibility and risk management.
• Preparation of business development plan, year of year growth performance, considering sustainable business
• Preparation of report on existing business practices and prepare financial projection of proposed expansion of businesses based on field proposal  
• Provide support to other ad-hoc assignments directed by the supervisor.

Assess commercial feasibility, profitability, marketing and operations:

• Asses commercial feasibility, profitability and marketing operations of submitted proposal;
• Review different feasibility and market study report from the proposed businesses;
• Document lessons learned;
• Provide support to other ad-hoc assignments directed by the supervisor.

Assess existing performance of financial management and accounting system:

• Assit with assesing overall financial governance of ongoing businesses;
• Assist financial management performance of the particular businesses;
• Assit with assesing existing accounting system and suggest / comments for further scope for development.

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 and to work within a diversified team environment as a contributing member;
• 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:

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

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) in the field of Finance/Economics/Business Administration/Development studies and similar discipline from reputed Institution desired.
• 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:

• Working experience is not required however familiarity with UN system and development sector is preferred
• Fresh graduates interested in pursuing higher education such as PhDs are preferred)
• 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;

Language:

• Strong written and verbal abilities in both English and Bengali languages.

Duration of Assignment: 

• Please note that this is an open call for applications, please indicate your availability from September 2019 to February 2020 (in terms of starting date)

Internship 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;
• 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.

Work Arrangements:

• The intern will work full-time in the Bangladesh UNCDF office.  
• Work space will be provided, and the intern may have access to office computer, but the intern is expected to use her/his own computer.

Evaluation:

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

Application:

• In your application, please (i) state in one paragraph why you would like to be considered for the internship, and (ii) indicate your preferred start and end date, as well as your availability timeframe
• Please submit your Resume/CV and an application using the UNCDF Internship Application form: http://www.uncdf.org/download/file/127/2509/internshipdoc
• Applications should include the application form and a resume. Applicants are welcome to submit any additional work samples or portfolios in one single file, preferably PDF;
• Please note that the UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents (CV/Resume, cover letter etc into a single file before uploading).

Interested Candidates can apply at any time indicating the timeframe of their availability in the internship form. However, only those candidates selected for interviews/further assessment by hiring managers will be contacted. 

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