Job Overview
Shape Global Development: Become a UNCDF Strategic Engagement Intern!
Are you a passionate, driven individual eager to contribute to sustainable development and inclusive finance on a global scale? The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is seeking a dedicated UNCDF Strategic Engagement Intern to join its team in New York City. To clarify, this internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of development and finance within the United Nations system.
About UNCDF: Driving Impact Through Strategic Engagement
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) operates as an autonomous organization within the UN, primarily focusing on assisting developing countries, especially the least developed countries (LDCs). Ultimately, UNCDF’s vision is clear: to mobilize and increase capital flows for SDG-impactful investments. This, consequently, directly addresses pressing development challenges in vulnerable communities, thereby contributing to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.
UNCDF utilizes its unique position within the UN system to deploy grants, loans, and guarantees. This capability, furthermore, helps “crowd-in” finance, scaling up development impact where needs are greatest. Specifically, UNCDF roots this deliberate focus and capability in its unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs.
UNCDF operates as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. In this capacity, it offers targeted technical and financial advice, designs custom financial solutions, de-risks investments, and enhances investment readiness for SDG-aligned projects. Moreover, UNCDF partners with the private sector, UNOs, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions, and Foundations, among others. Consequently, UNCDF develops local financial systems, new markets, and mobilizes capital from both public and private sources. Indeed, a partnership mindset drives UNCDF, enabling it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways. As a result, UNCDF strategically focuses its work on six priority areas, including:
- Sub-national and local infrastructure financing
- Women-owned enterprise financing
- Nature and climate financing
- Energy and decarbonization finance
- Sustainable food systems financing
- Inclusive digital finance
UNCDF Strategic Engagement Intern
About This Internship: Your Role as an UNCDF Strategic Engagement Intern
As an UNCDF Strategic Engagement Intern, you’ll work under the guidance and supervision of the External Relations Advisor and closely with SET staff. You’ll support the unit’s ongoing workplan and goals, including expanding vital partnerships and preparing materials for high-level meetings. Additionally, this role involves supporting the launch of major blended finance initiatives and building a knowledge base about Member States.
Furthermore, the UNCDF Strategic Engagement Intern will also support the implementation and communication of UNCDF’s Gender Action Plan. This, importantly, provides invaluable hands-on experience in applied gender policy and sustainable finance within a leading UN development and investment agency.
What You’ll Do as an UNCDF Strategic Engagement Intern
Your key responsibilities will include:
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Strategic Advocacy and Partnership Development:
- Support the creation of corporate engagement strategies.
- For instance, assist in building and maintaining relationships with the financial sector, private investors, and family offices.
- Beyond that, support for providing strategic advice and policy recommendations to position UNCDF.
- Analyze donor trends in the UNCDF funding landscape. Meanwhile, define and regularly ‘connect’ UNCDF value propositions in the LDCs.
- Identify collaborative opportunities for UNCDF programs with other UN Agencies.
- Additionally, assist in building and maintaining relations with other UN agencies that support joint resource mobilization.
- Moreover, provide timely professional responses and technical support on matters of partnerships-building.
- Crucially, identify targeted interventions to mobilize support for UNCDF and influence donor countries’ national budgetary decisions.
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Mobilization of Core and Non-Core Resources:
- Provide effective and efficient support to the Executive Secretary and senior management in all aspects of resource mobilization.
- Specifically, identify and develop opportunities for non-core resource mobilization, advising country offices and headquarters units on appropriate strategies.
- Furthermore, contribute to the development of corporate policies and procedures for resource mobilization.
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Gender Action Plan Support:
- Assist in the development and implementation of the UNCDF Gender Action Plan.
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Knowledge and Communication:
- Support the facilitation of knowledge building and sharing.
Skills and Experience for the UNCDF Strategic Engagement Intern Role
Education
At the time of application, you must be enrolled in a postgraduate degree program (Master’s or higher), in the final academic year of a first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent), or have recently graduated (within one year of application) from such a program. Importantly, your degree should be in Business Administration, Economic Development, Economics, Policy, International Relations, or a related field. Enrollment in a postgraduate professional traineeship program also qualifies.
Experience
- UNCDF highly values experience in strategic engagement and partnership development.
- Furthermore, a demonstrated interest in gender equality, intersectional analysis, and inclusive finance is essential.
- You should possess strong research, writing, data, and visual communication skills.
- Moreover, the ability to work independently and manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment is key.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English is required.
- Fluency in French is very desirable; conversely, UNCDF considers knowledge of other UN languages a plus.
Competencies
- Core Competencies: Demonstrates strong writing skills, especially the ability to present persuasive, coherent, and well-founded arguments accessible to a broad audience. Similarly, demonstrates the ability to write in a style that is accessible to policymakers, academics, and activists. Possesses drive to achieve results in a timely manner and find solutions to any problems encountered. Indeed, demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
- Functional Competencies: UNCDF highly values the ability to convert complex and abstract ideas into simple visual concepts. In addition, strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task are vital. You must also be able to work effectively in a multicultural environment and remain aware of political sensitivities.
Important Information
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: UNDP and UNCDF are deeply committed to DEI. They value diversity, foster inclusion, and ensure fairness. Therefore, UNCDF strongly encourages people from marginalized or excluded populations to apply.
- Background Checks: All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Consequently, UNDP will conduct rigorous reference and background checks on all selected candidates. Furthermore, UNDP maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination.
- US Permanent Residents: Under US immigration law, accepting a staff position with UNDP may affect US Permanent Resident status. Specifically, applicants for professional-level posts must generally relinquish their Green Card for a G-4 visa or have applied for US citizenship prior to employment. Applicants should seek advice from competent immigration lawyers regarding their specific situation.
- Application Process: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement and may consider applicants for other similar positions. However, it is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees for applications, processing, training, interviewing, or recruitment. Therefore, disregard any requests for payment. Furthermore, emblems, logos, and addresses are easily copied; thus, apply particular care when submitting personal information online.
Ready to Apply?
This Strategic Engagement Team Internship at UNCDF in New York City offers a unique chance to contribute to global development efforts. If this aligns with your goals, and you’re currently enrolled in or have recently graduated from a relevant degree program with a passion for inclusive finance, gender equality, or sustainable development, then this could be for you.
UNCDF is deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and strongly encourages applications from individuals who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations. Therefore, please review the full requirements in the job description to ensure you qualify.
Take the next step and apply today: https://www.impactpool.org/jobs/1159714
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the main focus of this internship? A1: This internship primarily focuses on the UNCDF Strategic Engagement Intern role, specifically on strategic engagement and partnership development for UNCDF. You’ll help expand collaborations, prepare for high-level meetings, and support initiatives related to inclusive finance and gender policy.
Q2: Am I eligible if I’m still studying for my Bachelor’s degree? A2: Yes, you are eligible if you are in the final academic year of your first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) at the time of application. Additionally, recent graduates (within one year) or those currently in a postgraduate program also qualify.
Q3: Is experience in gender equality required? A3: While not strictly “required” experience, a demonstrated interest in gender equality, intersectional analysis, and inclusive finance is essential. Notably, you’ll specifically support the implementation of UNCDF’s Gender Action Plan.
Q4: Do I need to know languages other than English? A4: Fluency in English is required. However, fluency in French is highly desirable, and UNCDF considers knowledge of other official UN languages (like Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) a distinct advantage.
Q5: What are the primary skills sought for this role? A5: Strong writing skills for policy and broad audiences, research, data, and visual communication skills are key. Furthermore, you’ll need excellent organizational skills, the ability to multi-task, and cultural sensitivity to thrive in a multicultural UN environment.