Background

Description of organization

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 48 Least Developed Countries. UNCDF uses its capital mandate to support LDCs pursue inclusive growth. UNCDF promotes financial inclusion, also through digital financial services (DFS), as a key enabler of poverty reduction and inclusive growth; and it demonstrates how localizing finance outside the capital cities can accelerate growth in local economies, promote sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure development, and empower local communities. Using capital grants, loans and credit enhancements, UNCDF tests financial models in inclusive finance and local development finance; ‘de-risks’ the local investment space; and provides proofs of concept, paving the way for larger and more risk-averse investors. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” financing models that unlock public Page 2 and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local development. UNCDF targets low-income and underserved populations and areas in the LDCs where resources for development are the scarcest; where market failures are most pronounced; and where increased national economic prosperity does not reach a large part of the population. UNCDF focusses on local development finance and inclusive finance, using its capital mandate paired with strong technical and policy support to help communities and individuals save, borrow and invest. UNCDF’s objective is to develop inclusive financial systems in which a range of financial products is available to all segments of society, at a reasonable cost, and on a sustainable basis. UNCDF supports a wide range of providers (e.g. microfinance institutions, banks, cooperatives, money transfer companies) and a variety of financial products and services (e.g. savings, credit, insurance, payments, and remittances).

Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P)

UNCDF manages several initiatives related to digital financial services (DFS), of which the lead programme is Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P). MM4P addresses the opportunities and challenges of implementing DFS in LDCs in Africa and Asia with the objective to build an inclusive digital financial ecosystem that offers a wide range of DFS provided responsibly, and at reasonable cost, by sustainable institutions in a well-regulated environment. Specifically, MM4P 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, MM4P works 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. MM4P is currently active in eight countries (Benin, Laos, Nepal, Malawi, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zambia). In each of these countries MM4P implements projects that aim to push the needle on financial inclusion through digital financial services.

For more information on the UNCDF MM4P program, see http://mm4p.uncdf.org/

MM4P is looking for an intern to support its core activities in Results Measurement.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

The key result expected is support to the Research and Results Measurement Analyst of the UNCDF programme, Mobile Money for the Poor. Specifically, the key activities of the intern will involve the following: 

  • Provide support in the development and implementation of the MM4P Annual Provider Survey, including data aggregation, analysis and report writing;
  • Contribute to the mapping of DFS-related research, definitions, and measurement and data collection methods;
  • Provide support the development of results measurement tools for new projects, including the development of results chains, project indicators, and reporting tools for partners;
  • Provide support in the monitoring and review of partner reporting;
  • Support the implementation of the Country Results Measurement Framework, including market-level indicators related to DFS;
  • Other tasks as requested by the Research and Results Measurement Analyst.

For those applicants that wish to combine the internship with the writing of their thesis, UNCDF-MM4P may provide support in exploring research topics related to DFS.

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.
  • Internships are not remunerated. UNCDF policies do not provide for interns to be compensated for travel, salaries and living expenses.

 

 

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 technology, economics, 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);
  • Experience with using statistical analysis software (e.g. R, STATA, SPSS) is preferred.

Language:

Fluent in English and French

Other:

  • Interns are not considered 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.

Evaluation:

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

Application:

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