The Financing for Development (FfD) unit at UNDP Indonesia serves as a collaborative platform to unlock innovative financing solutions that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Originally established in 2018 as the Innovative Financing Lab, the unit evolved into FfD in 2024 to reflect its expanded mandate and growing impact. With a strong emphasis on creativity, collaboration, and results, FfD connects public, private, and philanthropic capital to high-impact initiatives that promote environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic resilience.

FfD’s work spans several interrelated areas, including Islamic and Blended Finance, Green and Sustainable Finance (such as thematic bonds), and Impact Investment. These efforts are designed to unlock new sources of capital and scale up financing instruments that can accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To further strengthen its support to the Government of Indonesia, UNDP leads the UN Joint Programme “Accelerating SDG Investments in Indonesia (ASSIST)”, in collaboration with UNEP, UNICEF, and UNIDO. This programme aims to scale up the use of innovative financing instruments, such as thematic bonds, blended finance, and SDG-linked loans, through technical assistance and capacity building. It also works to enhance the institutional readiness of key stakeholders, including government agencies, local governments, financial institutions, and SMEs, to access and manage sustainable finance effectively.

Indonesia’s financing needs for sustainable development are substantial. The government estimates a total funding requirement of USD 8.7 trillion to achieve the SDGs, with a financing gap of USD 1.7 trillion. Additionally, meeting national climate targets will require an estimated USD 281–285 billion. In response to these challenges, and with support from UNDP, the Government of Indonesia has issued approximately USD 12.6 billion in green sukuk, SDG bonds, and blue bonds. These instruments have helped fund a wide range of development projects, contributing to the mitigation of 13.5 billion tCO₂e, supporting 50 million people through education and healthcare services, and establishing over 4.2 million hectares of new marine conservation areas.

To support our growing impact, UNDP Office has organized internship programme to provide a framework by which students from diverse academic backgrounds may be assigned to UNDP offices, where their educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments as well providing an opportunity to make substantive contributions to an office’s work. The current internship will provide opportunity for student to learn some aspects of sustainable and development finance under the ASSIST Joint Programme, including the Financing for Development unit, as well as aid effectiveness, donor relations, monitoring and evaluation of development programme, gender, capacity development, and South-South Cooperation. This particular internship will focus on supporting the implementation of the thematic bonds component under the ASSIST Joint Programme, as well as communications efforts related to Financing for Development.

Enrolment in a final year of university degree (Bachelor or Master) or fresh graduate with a maximum of 1 (one) year since graduation from program in Development Studies, Business Management, International Relations, Finance, Economics, Social Studies, Communication, or other related disciplines.

• Good commands in Bahasa Indonesia and English in writing and speaking is necessary.
• Computer literate in standard software applications.
• Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and have a personal commitment to UNDP”s Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of the UN Charter
• Demonstrated the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
• An interest in global mobility; adaptability to varied physical and other environments; a desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds.