Launched in 2008, the Business Call to Action (BCtA) is a global membership platform that encourages private sector companies to develop innovative business models that combine profitability with development impact, in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Business Call to Action is a unique multilateral alliance between key donor governments including the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), UK Department for International Development, US Agency for International Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Finland, and the United Nations Development Programme — which hosts the secretariat.

BCtA members are market leaders and innovators, committed to developing commercially viable business ventures that engage people living at the Base of the Economic Pyramid (BoP) as consumers, producers, suppliers, and distributors of goods and services. In more than 65 countries, business leaders are spearheading efforts to provide the poor with the tools and resources they need to succeed by promoting economic opportunity. BCtA provides a leadership platform for companies to demonstrate their commitment to development and to access global expertise on innovation at the BoP.

In an effort to identify innovative inclusive business models worldwide, BCtA seeks to enlist an Istanbul-based intern who will support the programme’s outreach and corporate engagement team by identifying promising inclusive business models across geographic regions, conducting risk assessment and membership analysis, and providing other programme and operational support.

Under the supervision of the Partnerships and Knowledge Management Lead, the intern shall perform, inter alia, the following tasks:

• Conduct research on inclusive business topics and support the publication of reports and other materials;
• Develop presentation and communication materials (knowledge products, speeches and presentation, brochure, newsletter, success stories, etc);
• Support the preparation and implementation of events, trainings, webinars, and workshops;
• Support in other ad hoc activities, which might include but are not limited to updating BCtA website; maintaining BCtA’s information management system and helping BCtA’s outreach activities.

• Strong research and writing abilities, attention to detail;
• Ability to work with ad hoc tasks and tight deadlines;
• Strong analytical, reporting and communication skills;
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
• Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues, while meeting deadlines;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Excellent interpersonal skills: being able to listen and collaborate with a wide range of players, working in an international environment, being pro-active and taking initiative and responsibility in one’s work.

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• Education in the field of economics, international relations, development studies or relevant/related field.

Experience:

• Experience and good understanding of private sector engagement in development, corporate sustainability (ESG standards, reporting practices), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inclusive business/shared value/responsible business (attained through studies or work experience);
• Experience in producing high-quality analytical briefs, reports, write-ups and summaries, concept notes;
• Good command of Microsoft office programmes (Excel, Word, Power Point) and strong skills in producing presentation materials;

• Strong interest in economic development and the role of the private sector in contributing to poverty reduction;
• Previous experience in working and/or living abroad highly valued.

Language skills:

• Strong spoken and written English is required;
• Additional language skills are highly valued.

Eligibility

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

1. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
3. 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.

Financial Issues

Internships within the UN system are unpaid and subject to conditions the applicant must get familiar with prior to signing his/her internship agreement. The costs associated with the internship must be borne by 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 or her own arrangements for travel, accommodation etc.

Application procedure

The application should contain:

• Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the position;
• Current CV in English;
• Copy of the candidate’s school transcript;
• At least 1 endorsement letter or letter of reference from a faculty member or former supervisor.

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Interviews will be held on March 5th and 6th.

Candidates who are selected for must submit prior to the interview the following documents:

• Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme;
• Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance that covers the interenship period.

UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.

UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.

Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents, and need to plan for these well in advance.

Subsequent Employment

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. 

Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
More information available at:  http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/jobs/types-of-opportunities/internships.html