UNSGSA Intern

Background

CORPORATE BACKGROUND:

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries’ efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. The key 2030 Agenda principle of leaving no one behind and stamping out inequality is at the core of everything we do.

UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:

• Sustainable development
• Democratic governance and peacebuilding
• Climate and disaster resilience

In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND:

The UN Secretary-General designated Her Majesty Queen Ma´xima of the Netherlands as the UN Secretary General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) in 2009.

As UNSGSA and Honorary Patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), Queen Máxima raises awareness and advocates specific policies, investments and actions with governments, regulators, private companies, international institutions and diverse additional stakeholders, all with view of how inclusive financial systems can help to reduce poverty, equalize opportunity and accelerate progress toward numerous development goals. She does so through country visits, speeches, meetings, convening of stakeholders and other outreach. This requires careful, comprehensive and rigorous analysis of local conditions, policies, available services and public priorities, as well as the needs of households, enterprises and communities.

The UNSGSA’s work is done in partnership and with wide consultation among the many stakeholders working to advance financial inclusion—and those affected by it. She collaborates closely with an advisory Reference Group of leading international organizations in financial inclusion to share expertise and suggest strategic opportunities . Reference Group members include: the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Better Than Cash Alliance, the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), Flourish Ventures, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and The World Bank. Members of the Reference Group and many other in-country and global partners play an important role in converting advocacy into action.

The UNSGSA consults and/or cooperates with the UN Rome based agencies and the wider UN system, the UN secretariat, UN country teams, multilateral organizations, private financial institutions, companies, donors, civil society organizations and the media.  In addition, the UNSGSA also engages with financial standard setting bodies (SSBs) so that their work takes into account the advancement of Financial Inclusion around the world.

The Office of the UNSGSA is housed within UNDP’s Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) in the UNDP headquarters in New York and works closely with Queen Ma´xima and her secretariat in The Hague to coordinate and advance her UN and G20 activities.

The internship will be conducted in person. The intern will be based at the UNDP Headquarters in New York and will report to a designated Policy Adviser(s) of the Office of the UNSGSA.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

 

No	Duties and responsibilities	% of time
Assist the team in planning and implementing the high-level advocacy initiatives led by H.M. Queen Maxima in her role as the UNSGSA. Support Office management and daily operations.
1	Program support for the Office of the UNSGSA: Draft timely and high-quality background papers, briefing notes, talking points, and analysis for the Office of the UNSGSA on issues related to financial inclusion for positive development outcomes. Provide research and analytical support on topics relevant to financial inclusion and financial health. Support the Office in the organization of UNSGSA high-level meetings with Governments, UN entities, intergovernmental organizations and other key partners. Attend relevant UN meetings to follow relevant global policy dialogue efforts. Support the coordination of meetings with key stakeholders, preparing meeting notes/takeaways, and correspondence.	50%
2	Office management and operations Provide general office logistical and administrative support to high-level meetings and advocacy activities organized by the UNSGSA’s office. Provide administrative support for accurate office documentation, communications and daily operational matters. Support the organization of high-level events. Assist in various aspects of event planning, logistics, coordination, and event execution. Help with stakeholder outreach, including Member States, UN agencies, development partners and others. Support other ad hoc activities as needed.	50%

Competencies

Other competencies and attitude:

• Experience organizing large scale events in a corporate, international, or academic setting.
• Experience producing analytical work related to international development, financial sector development, enabling environment for business, and related topics. Demonstrated experience with qualitative and quantitative economic analysis.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Strong drafting and written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
• Strong computer literacy in standard software applications (MS Office Suite) and data analysis (Excel and related data management software).
• Capacity to prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines even in imperfect conditions and thrive as part of a small and fast-moving team.
• Success working independently and as a member of a team, and with partners in other time zones and from diverse and multi-cultural contexts.
• Displays the highest standards of confidentiality, discretion and integrity.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Interest working for an international institution and in the financial inclusion sector.

Required Skills and Experience

Eligibility (Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements):

• currently enrolled in a Master’s degree; or
• have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a Master’s degree or equivalent studies.

Field of study: International Relations, Economics, Finance, Political Science, International Development, Business Management, or equivalent.

Experience:

• Knowledge in international relations and international development, financial inclusion, and multilateral organizations.
• Prior relevant work experience is desirable, particularly in financial inclusion and international development policy.
• Experience working with high-level stakeholders, such as government officials and representatives from international organizations, is an asset.

Language skills:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of other UN languages especially French and Spanish is an advantage.