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.


Digital finance:
UNCDF manages initiatives to develop inclusive digital finance ecosystems which offer a wide range of financial services specially for low income vulnerable communities. Specifically, UNCDF provides a mix of policy, technical and financial support to a range of government and private sector actors in each country, as well as invests in research and other public goods to benefit all market actors. By supporting the development of digital finance ecosystem in these countries, UNCDF aims to increase the financial security of low income and rural households through access to appropriate, affordable and secure means to receive, manage and save money.


Recently, UNCDF has formulated its strategy ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’ 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 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 disfunctions.


For more information, please see: 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 Programme Analyst and Operations Team of UNCDF Brussels Liaison Office.

Specifically, the key activities of the intern will involve the following:

  • Updating and reviewing project and contract databases (Excel)
  • Supporting the team in a creation of a comprehensive database
  • Supporting in the tracking and monitoring of the project’s progress (budget and activities)
  • Maintaining update planning toolkit such excel pipeline and SharePoint
  • Providing support in procurement: setting up interview calls, requesting quotes from companies, maintain a clear filing system etc.
  • Supporting in organizing events and workshops of the programme
  • Providing support in liaising with the country teams to ensure that all files and reports are submitted, and that the filing system is up to date
  • Supporting the Operations team in other related tasks that may arise.


For those applicants that wish to combine the internship with the writing of their thesis, UNCDF may provide support in exploring research topics related to Inclusive Finance and Digital Financial Services (DFS).
 

Competencies

 

  • Excellent speaking and writing skills in English;
  • Strong ability to communicate and function effectively in an international and multicultural environment;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills;
  • Respect for diversity;
  • Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
  • Commitment to UNCDF`s vision, mission, and strategic goals.

 

Required Skills and Experience

 

Education:

  • Enrolled in a bachelor or master’s programme in economics, law, public/business administration, social sciences, or related discipline, in a graduate school (second university degree or higher) at the time of application and during the internship (if a candidate is graduating before the internship period begins, they are no longer eligible); or
  • Pursuing their university/college studies, having completed at least two years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree, if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages;
  • Not have graduated prior to the beginning of the internship.

 

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);

 

Language:
Fluent in English
Fluent in French is preferred but not mandatory

 

Work Arrangements:

  • The intern will work full-time in the Brussels UNCDF office.  
  • Work space will be provided, and the intern will have access to a computer.

 

Internship conditions:

  • The UNCDF internship programme is governed by the UNDP internship policy framework and rules
  • UNCDF will not pay interns for internship but will provide a monthly stipend in accordance with UNCDF
  • Interns must take full responsibility for obtaining financing for subsistence and making arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, etc.
  • Selected interns must be able to share proof of education enrolment and/or graduation and proof of medical/health and life/accident insurance valid for the location and duration of the internship
  • The purpose of the internship programme is not to lead to further employment with UNCDF but to complement an intern’s studies and learning growth
  • There is no expectation of employment at the end of internships
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNCDF in any official capacity
  • Interns will be granted off-days on official UN holidays for Belgium. If exceptional leave arrangements are necessary, requests must be submitted to and be approved by the supervisor in advance to ensure adequate office arrangements.
  • Interns are expected to use their own laptops in case office laptops are not available;
  • The Intern will be personally responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed.

Contributions made by interns to any organizational publications will be acknowledged and/or recognized if the publication rules allow for authorship to be mentioned.

 
Evaluation:
Shortlisted candidates shall be invited for a test and an interview.

 

Application:
Please upload one document in PDF format including the following:

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