Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital.  UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia and the Pacific, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis.  It provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help microfinance institutions reach more poor households and small businesses, and local governments finance the capital investments – water systems, feeder roads, schools, irrigation schemes – that will improve poor peoples’ lives.

Starting in 2009, UNCDF began to support for digital finance because we are concerned that the countries that need it the most are succeeding the least. As an early supporter, UNCDF saw its potential and challenges.  UNCDF first supported digital finance through the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) out of which it developed UNCDF MM4P to focus on Africa and Asia. Digital now feature prominently in most of UNCDF’s financial inclusion work and it is increasingly focus on digital solutions for specific uses such as clean energy and population segments, particularly women and youth. UNCDF also hosts the secretariat of the Better than Cash Alliance. The Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA) is a partnership of governments, companies and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to digital payments in order to reduce poverty and drive inclusive growth. 

In partnership and with financing from the Metlife Foundation, UNCDF through the MM4P Programmme is implementing an innovation engagement in Malaysia and China followed by other countries of Asia and Africa, that would focus on driving usage of financial services working on various use-cases where technology plays a key part and that overall results in financial health as a key outcome. This drive towards usage would involve working on two key aspects, one working with the established providers exposed to new models of solving problem specially by crowding in solutions across start-ups or individuals and second working with the start-ups to solve use-cases that would drive the customers to actively consume financial services. In the process work with government and regulators to support innovation and open frameworks that could drive creation of plug and play model between start-ups and industry players.

Based on MM4P Theory of Change, UNCDF’s objective is to help drive financial health under the innovation approach that would deepen financial inclusion and result in increasing the number of adults actively using financial services.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNCDF is seeking one intern who can support the work of the Malaysia inclusive digital finance innovation hub, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in the following areas of work.

Digital Innovation Programme (Accelerator/Corporate Innovation):

• Support UNCDF’s programme from applicant outreach, application process and judging process
• Engage with participants of UNCDF’s programme by tracking their progress and participations
• Coordinate with participants of UNCDF’s programme at the workshops, bootcamps and events
• Assist to set up and managing of workshops, bootcamps and events
• Assist to record and document the processes, learnings and outcomes of the programme
•  Compile a database of potential industry players and corporations (and their respective skillsets) with the potential of participating in the mentoring programme.

Work Arrangements:

• The intern will work full-time with the UNCDF digital innovation hub located in Kuala Lumpur.
• Office space and other support facilities will be provided but the intern is expected to use her/his own computer

Competencies

Core Competences:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNCDF;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competences:

• Demonstrated interest in financial inclusion and curiosity related to development in general;
• Ability to work under pressure, to prioritize and to show a spirit of initiative and a capacity to work in an independent way with limited supervision;
• Self-management and emotional intelligence;
• Excellent communication skills;
• High degree of organization and initiative;
• Diligence and attention to detail;
• Ability to multi-task and work independently;
• Ability to prioritize and work under pressure;
• High energy levels.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

(a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);

(b) Be enrolled in a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);

(c) 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:

• 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;
• Experience in organizing events, workshop or bootcamps;
• Excellent written and verbal communication;
• High degree of organization and initiative;
• Ability to multi-task and work independently;
• Strong interpersonal social skills and ability to work within a diversified team environment as a contributing member.

Language:

• Mandatory: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English;
• A plus: Knowledge of written and spoken Malay and/or Mandarin;

Other:

• Interns are not 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;
• 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 with the UNCDF digital innovation hub located in Kuala Lumpur.
• Office space and other support facilities will be provided but the intern is expected to use her/his own computer.

Evaluation:

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

Application:

Please upload one document in word format including the following:

• Signed UNCDF Internship Application form (available at uncdf.org/download/file/127/2509/internshipdoc
• Your CV.
• Motivation letter.

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

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