IMPORTANT NOTE: General Call for 2019-2020 Internship Applications: This is a general call for internships throughout 2019-2020. We accept applications from interested and qualified applicants, on an ongoing basis for these Digital Finance Internships at Multiple locations in Asia.

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 on ongoing basis.  

Backkground:

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 47 least developed countries and engaging in some of the key emerging markets. 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 Sustainable Development Goal # 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.

Digital Finance:  

UNCDF manages several initiatives related to digital financial services (DFS) to address the opportunities and challenges of implementing DFS[1] in the developing world, with a focus on the Least Developed Countries in Africa and Asia and the Pacific regions.  UNCDF also engages with the large emerging markets globally to foster the digitization of payments.  Our aim is to build an inclusive digital economy with the digital financial ecosystem as the starting point. An inclusive digital financial ecosystem is one that offers a wide range of DFS provided responsibly, and at reasonable cost, by sustainable institutions in a well-regulated environment. UNCDF provides a mix of policy, technical financial support to a range of government and private sector actors in each country, as well as investing in research and other public goods that benefit all market actors. By supporting the development of DFS in these countries, UNCDF works to increase the financial security and participation in the economy of low income and rural households through access to appropriate, affordable and secure means to receive, manage, spend and save money.

UNCDF is also working with the greater UN system to investigate the applications of digital finance at the individual, company, sector, national and global level to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.  The purpose is to inform the UN system as well as UNCDF’s new strategy to focus its financial inclusion work more toward the SDGs.  

UNCDF is looking for qualified interns all year-around to support its different activities related to the following functional areas:

• Data Analytics
• Research and Writing in areas related to SDGs and Digital Economy
• Knowledge Management and Communication that includes social media engagement
• Blogging and Developing content related to work of UNCDF
• Engaging on developing infographics, production of video blogs, pictures repository, etc.
• New technology trends like AI, IOT, VR and how could it be deployed in context of digital finance specially for low and moderate income
• New business models that would allow for achieving the SDG goals through digital and finance.
• Start-up engagement through the UNCDF accelerator and incubation programme delivered through financial innovation lab
• Impact investment

These internships offer a unique opportunity to engage in digital finance, impact investment and to have exposure to leaders in the industry.

[1] DFS refers to a range of formal financial services accessible via digital channels such as mobile money and agency banking, as opposed to traditional financial services accessed through physically visited at a bank branch

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the UNCDF Technical Specialist(s) - Digital Finance and Innovation, the key results expected from Digital Finance interns are: 

• Support in researching and developing summaries on key issues like food security and climate change, gig economy workers, health, diital stack, education, jobs and skills, other related topics under SDGs and where Digital and Finance could play a key role;
• Develop brief summaries as well as help to develop information sheets that summarize key research finding on specific technologies and /or their applications to development issues.  These technologies will include those core to digital finance (mobile, payments, fintech) and those which support them (big data, artificial intelligence, internet of things, distributed ledger);
• Identify and review research, publications and news related to how the digitization of finance is being applied to achieve the SDGS;
• Work on areas related to impact investment, research and assist with developing reports that contribute to different agenda of UNCDF;
• Data Analytics that includes working with team on bigdata engagement, analyzing trends, assist the team with documenting the same;
• Communication support that includes social media engagement, through UNCDF community of practice platform and engaging with the members on the topic related to digital economy;
• Engage on developing infographics, production of video blogs, pictures repository, etc.
• With UNCDF staff, participate in calls with industry leaders to take notes which will help provide up to date perspectives on the current applications of digital finance to the SDGs are progressing, the key barriers and risks, as well as the opportunities going forward;
• Be assigned to assist identified leaders to conduct and conclude their own research;
• To the extent convenient and possible, help prepare for participate in, and help document virtual or in person convenings on the topic working with the assigned UNCDF leader;
• Assist in other organizational efforts related to the outreach to stakeholders;
• Other tasks as requested.

Competencies:

• Commitment to UNCDF`s vision, mission, and strategic goals and UNDP/ UNCDF Core Competencies;
• Strong ability to communicate and function effectively in an international and multicultural environment;
• Knowledge of some aspects of digital finance and technology and/or the policy and regulatory environment that guides them, including one or more of those listed above like impact investment, etc.;
• Knowledge of the development field a plus;
• Proven research skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Respect for diversity;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

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 topics related to socioeconomic development;
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills;
• Able to take initiative and work independently;
• Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks;
• Excellent computer capabilities (Word, Excel, Power Point, Data programmes).

Language:

• Fluency in English is mandatory,
• Fluency in Hindi or Mandarin Chinese or other languages in Asian region will be considered a distinct advantage.

Work Arrangements:

• Internships maybe in any of the following duty stations: Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh and other markets across Asia (such as, India, Indonesia, Singapore, China);
• These research internships may be for both full-time or part-time placements, depending upon the organization needs and changing pace of UNCDF work. Selected interns may be asked to work on either full-time or a part-time basis (at least 16 hours per week/ 2 days a week minimum). This will be communicated as a part of the internship offer to successful candidates. 
• UNCDF team members are currently located in most of the countries across Asia, specially the one mentioned above. Selected interns are expected to work closely with an assigned team-member of UNCDF, based in one of the specified locations listed above;
• Interns are expected to use her/ his own computer/ laptop, as they may not have full-time access of Office computer/ laptops;
• Contribution made by research interns to any organizational publications will be acknowledged and/or recognized if the publication rules allows for authorship to be mentioned. 
• Only longlisted candidates will be invited for a technical written test (via email) and the top scoring candidates shall be invited for a phone/Skype 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 is 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 note that you will need to answer three mandatory questions (under Additional Questions section), which is a part of the internship application process, in addition to your cover letter;
• 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.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  General Call for 2019-2020 Internship Applications: This is a general call for internships throughout 2019-2020. We accept applications from interested and qualified applicants, on an ongoing basis for these Digital Finance Internships at Multiple locations in Asia.

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 on ongoing basis. 

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@undp.org