Antecedentes

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 CleanStart Programme

UNCDF’s CleanStart Programme supports low-income consumers to transition to cleaner and more efficient energy through inclusive finance. CleanStart is a global programme helping to lift at least 2.5 million people out of energy poverty by 2020. To achieve this vision, the programme provides risk capital and technical assistance to competitively selected financial service providers and energy enterprises.

At the heart of the CleanStart approach is brokering risk-sharing partnerships between downstream as well as upstream value chain actors, and de-risking some investment opportunities. Of particular value to CleanStart is developing partnership and financing models that can be replicated and scaled-up by other public and private actors working towards a common vision of expanding energy access for the poor.

CleanStart is active in Nepal, Uganda, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and several other East and West African countries through a partnership with a rural microfinance institution called PAMIGA. The CleanStart global programme team is based in UNCDF’s Asia-Pacific Regional Office in Thailand, as well as Nepal and Uganda. 

Deberes y responsabilidades

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The internship will contribute to improving knowledge sharing and market awareness efforts of the CleanStart program. This will include functions related to research; communications and partnerships; and advocacy/market awareness to increase visibility of CleanStart results and insights amongst the clean energy and energy financing sectors.  

CleanStart is looking for interns who are willing to explore the field of financial inclusion to reduce energy poverty through both knowledge sharing and knowledge production.

SCOPE OF WORK

Interns will be taken on a rolling basis. Applicants can apply for a specific work stream as highlighted below, or the CleanStart programme will match the intern with a specific work stream:

Knowledge Production (Research and Analytics)-

  • Supporting (Big Data) research and analysis activities;
  • Supporting monitoring and evaluation of CleanStart partners to distill lessons learned from progress reports on program and product innovation activities;
  • Reviewing and keep stock off energy finance literature and policy publications; 
  • Supporting research publication writing and editing. 

Market development  (Business development support and Advocacy)-

  • Scoping opportunities for clean energy enterprises in Uganda;
  • Liaising with CleanStart enterprise partners to evaluate needs related to training; financing; market awareness; and general management (Incubation services); 
  • Researching financing opportunities (blended finance, risk capital, equity, grants) for clean energy enterprises in CleanStart target countries;
  • Development and management of Cleanstart enterprise partner database;
  • Other tasks as requested by the CleanStart team.

Knowledge Sharing (Communications and Partnerships)-

  • Providing input and maintaining the contact database the programme;
  • Supporting events and thinkshops organization with sector participants;
  • Producing of a variety of communication tools: writing of blog articles, news and press releases;
  • Curating content related to energy finance and financial inclusion in social networks;
  • Disseminating information about the programme’s events and publications in social media;
  • Reporting on events feedback by participants and writing workshops proceedings;
  • Performing desktop research on donors, partners and resource mobilization opportunities for the CleanStart Program and its partners (energy companies, financial institutions);
  • Supporting writing proposals and concept notes as needed. 

DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTY STATION AND EXPECTED PLACES OF TRAVEL

  • Contract Duration: 3-6 months

The duty station of this internship is the Kampala, Uganda office for UNCDF CleanStart. Travel on mission is not required as part of the internship. 

PROVISION OF MONITORING AND PROGRESS CONTROLS

The internship will work under the direct supervision of the CleanStart National Coordinator for Uganda. Deliverables shall be submitted to the CleanStart National Coordinator for Uganda, unless otherwise indicated (i.e. report to Data Specialist if on Knowledge Production work stream). The intern is obligated to work within the agreed upon deadlines in consultation with the CleanStart team. 

Competencias

Competency:

  • Understanding of sustainable development, renewable energy, and private sector development and engagement is an asset;
  • Demonstrable skills in research, analytical thinking, and communication;
  • Excellent writing and editing skills in English;
  • Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines;
  • Able to take initiative and work independently, with minimum supervision;
  • Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure within an international setting;
  • Interest in the UN system and general knowledge of development issues is a plus;
  • Ability to perform a variety of administrative tasks.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

  • Enrolled in a relevant master’s programme in a graduate school (second university degree equivalent or higher) at the time of application and during the internship, or having graduated from a relevant programme in the last year. OR
  • Pursuing relevant university/college studies with significant work experience, if applying from a country where graduate studies are not widely available. 

Experience:

  • Work experience is considered an asset; but it is not a requirement unless graduate studies are not widely available.

Internship conditions:

  • UNCDF does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;
  • All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution;
  • The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan;
  • The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
  • The intern is expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for his/her education programme;
  • The intern will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation etc.

APPLICATION

Please submit your Resume/CV and an application using the UNCDF Internship Application form: http://uncdf.org/download/file/127/2509/internshipdoc 

All applications must contain the following information: 

  1. Summary statement of competencies in relation to the TOR
  2. Earliest availability, part and/or full time, when they complete their studies, preferred workstream, duty station location 
  3. Curriculum Vitae

EVALUATION

Step I: Desk Review

  • Applications will be screened and evaluated, and only applicants with relevant education and qualifications will progress to the interview stage.

Step II: Interview

  • An interview shall be conducted with shortlisted candidates.