Background

The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: financial inclusion that expands the opportunities for individuals, households, and small businesses to participate in the local economy, providing them with the tools they need to climb out of poverty and manage their financial lives; and by showing how localized investments—through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance—can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion and sustainable development. By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 on eradicating poverty and SDG 17 on the means of implementation. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs.
http://www.uncdf.org/

LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND IN THE DIGITAL ERA

The UNCDF strategy ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’ is based on over a decade of experience in digital finance in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. UNCDF recognizes that reaching the full potential of digital financial inclusion in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aligns with the vision of promoting digital economies that leave no one behind. The vision of UNCDF is to empower millions of people by 2024 to use services daily that leverage innovation and technology and contribute to the SDGs. UNCDF will apply a market development approach and continuously seek to address underlying market dysfunctions.

For more information please click on the link:  https://www.uncdf.org/article/4567/uncdf-launches-digital-economy-strategy-leaving-no-one-behind-in-the-digital-era

Duties and Responsibilities

The key result expected is support to the Communication and Knowledge Management of Digital Finance activities at UNCDF, as directed by the Senior Knowledge Management Associate. Specifically, the key activities of the intern will involve the following: 

• Edit or write blog articles, news and press releases before publication;
• Publish content on the website of the programme;
• Maintain presence in social networks, by drafting social media posts for Twitter and linkedIn and publishing videos on Youtube;
• Follow the development and publication process of reports, programme learnings and infographics and communication tools for the Programme;
• Support the maintenance of the contact database and picture database;
• Support the coordination and the organization of meeting and events in Belgium and in Africa and Asia;
• Draft event minutes or reports on workshops;
• Other tasks as requested by the Senior Knowledge Management Associate.

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:

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:

• Demonstrated interest in financial inclusion and questions related to development in general;
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills;
• Able to take initiative and work independently;
• Proven experience and interest in social media;
• Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks;
• Excellent computer capabilities (Word, Excel, Power Point);
• Knowledge of Design/Graphics.

Language:

• Fluency in both written and oral English;
• Knowledge of French preferred but not a requirement.

Work Arrangements:

• The intern will work full-time in the UNCDF Brussels 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:

• Shortlisted candidates shall be invited for a test and the top 3 candidates will be invited for an interview. 

Internships Conditions:

• UNCDF Internship programme is governed by the UNDP Internship policy framework & rules;
• Interns are not financially remunerated by UNCDF. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns, nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; Interns themselves will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel, accommodation, etc.
• Selected Interns must be able to share proof of education enrolment and/or graduation, medical/health and life/accident insurance, valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out and be able to provide insurance documentary proof at the time of their selection;
• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNCDF but to complement an intern’s studies & learning growth
• There should be no expectation of employment at the end of these internships.

Application Process:

• In your application, please state in one paragraph why you would like to be considered for the internship and your primary motivation to apply for this role.
• 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 latest 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. 

Note for Applicants:

Please indicate clearly in your application (additional questions section) and/or your cover letter the following;

• What is your current location?
• Your earliest availability /Preferred start date 21 October 2019
• Whether you can undertake this internship on a full time or part time basis, if selected for the role.

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