Background

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.

UNCDF (UN Capital Development Fund) is the United Nations Capital Development for local development finance, inclusive finance and the promotion of Women and Youth empowerment in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) which main objective is to facilitate access to public and private capital for the most underserved people. Its expertise enables it to develop «last mile» financial models in areas where infrastructures, access to basic services, financial and non-financial services are lacking to unlock public and private resources at the national level. The expected impact is to reduce poverty and encourage economic local development. UNCDF’s work is based on two approaches:

• Financial inclusion – New technologies and saving-based approach allowing individuals, households and small businesses to better participate in the local economic development by providing the tools and financial services they need to escape poverty and manage their financial situations; 
• Localized Investments – Thanks to fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal financing and structural financing of projects which contribute to promote public and private financing to boost local economic growth and sustainable development.  

Duties and Responsibilities

OBJECTIVE OF THE INTERNSHIP: 

The intern will support the West and Central Africa office of UNCDF to implement the portfolio of projects for the achievements of its goals in various domains of its mandate. These projects aim at boosting very small businesses namely in the whole agricultural value chain-, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, to strengthen the capacities of Municipalities - particularly in rural areas – for the implementation of their mandate, namely with better access to financing, but also digital and mobile finance. The achievement of these objectives will be possible through capacity building programs, the development of innovative financial mechanisms, and the identification, structuring and financing of projects with high local impact.

More specifically, the intern will particularly support UNCDF LDFPA Regional team in the implementation and development of their programs to be supervised by the UNCDF Regional Technical Advisor.

• Providing analytical support for conducting research on financing local development and financial inclusion in the region;
• Developing communication tools;
• Providing support to organize framing/formulation and technical assistance missions;
• Support the drafting of project/framing documents, technical reports, performance reviews and country annual reports;
• Participating in working meetings and consultation with project stakeholders and writing and sharing of minutes;
• Supporting UNCDF's resource mobilization efforts.

Competencies

• Demonstrated interest in rural/ local development issues in sub-Saharan Africa;
• Excellent written, analytical and research skills;
• Excellent communication skills in French and English required (both verbal and written); 
• Use of social media and other online tools in French and English;
• Ability to take initiatives and work independently and in teams;
• Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, Power Point).

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants to the UNDP 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) in Management, Economics, Political Science or similar studies;
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent) in Management, Economics, Political Science or similar studies;
• 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.

Language:

• Excellent knowledge of French and English required (both written and oral).

Work Arrangements:

• The intern will be based full-time at the UNCDF Regional Office in Dakar;
• The intern will work under the supervision of the UNCDF Regional Technical Advisor in WCA;
• The position is open to candidates from all nationalities, Senegalese included;
• Workspace will be provided, and the intern may not have access to office computer, but the intern is expected to bring and use her/ his own computer;
• Please note that internships are unpaid. UNCDF's internal rules do not allow the organization to provide compensation for travel, remunerations and living expenses;
• Please note that interns are not employees of UNCDF;
• All costs/ fees associated with the intern’s participation in the program must be borne by the intern.

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 nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/ her own arrangements for travel, accommodation, etc. 
• Interns must have a proof of medical and life/accident insurance, valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out and be able to provide insurance proof at the time of their selection in which the internship will be carried out;
• 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.

Application:

• In your application, please (i) state in one page (in English or French) why you would like to be considered for the internship, and (ii) indicate your preferred start and end date, as well as your availability timeframe (3 or 6 months);
• 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 a 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. 

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