Private Finance for the SDGs Intern

We are pushing against the boundaries of our social and natural systems. Inequality, climate change and other sustainable development issues have been exacerbated by COVID-19. According to the OECD, there is an annual SDG financing gap of US$ 3.7 trillion – up from US$2.5 trillion before the pandemic. That is just part of the problem – the other part is knowing how much of it will actually contribute to the SDGs. Indeed, there is increasing pressure from consumers and end-investors for genuine sustainable practices and reduced SDG-washing.

While there is a growing awareness from enterprises and investors that their prospects depend on the health of people and planet, it is not enough. We are not yet on a sustainable path. Many business and investment decisions, whether knowingly or not, are having negative impacts on people and planet that could be avoided or significantly reduced by simply considering all aspects of impacts of their decisions. Making informed decisions is harder without a universal yardstick for sustainable management practices despite the numerous reporting standards and taxonomies available. Businesses and investors are still not able to authenticate their contribution to sustainability and achieving the SDGs which fuels “SDG-washing”. Secondly, private capital is not targeted to where it is needed most - only 20% of global capital is held in developing countries which represent 84% of the world’s population. We need action.

UNDP’s SFH provides innovative solutions to enable the private sector to make decisions that advances the achievement of the SDGs and reduce the risk of SDG-washing. Our SDG Impact Standards and impact measurement and management methodologies set the bar for management best practices that embed sustainability at the core of any organization. We provide training and education to give clients in private sector, public sector and academia the knowledge and skills to implement the SDG Impact Standards. Our goal is to foster a change in mindset in management where sustainability is at the heart of decision-making. Our SDG Investor Maps identifies investment themes and business models that help intermediaries build an investment pipeline aligned to national sustainable development needs and priority areas. Further, by leveraging UNDP’s 170 Country Offices, we can connect the public and private sectors across the economic ecosystem, including to explore solutions where there are currently limited opportunities for the private sector to invest.

1.Event planning, and organizing

Private Finance for the SDGs team is planning to organize a few events that will lead up to a bigger event during the FFD4 in Seville in Barcelona in early July 2025, which will include: 1) Side events during FFD preparatory committee meetings in NYC (February and April), 2) Participation and/or a side event during Hamburg Sustainability Summit.

• Support preparations for the event, including content, sending and following through speakers' invitations, logistics support, support to communication specialist for anything he needs related to these events.

2.Results monitoring, tracking, and reporting and partnerships

• Accompany results monitoring and tracking efforts across global, regional and country level project implementation
• Manage excel spreadsheets and produce analyses of data
• Support fundraising proposals and support the Head on donor relationships
• Support donor reporting with quantitative and qualitative analyses, according to intern’s interests and skills
• Map potential new private sector partners 
• Accompany the Head of Private Finance for the SDGs in partner meetings, events (when and if possible), and other, as per intern’s interests and team needs

• Proficiency in Excel and qualitative/quantitative data analysis
• Self-starter, proven ability to work independently and in an entrepreneurial setting.
• Strong motivation and ability to work and deliver under pressure and short deadlines.
• Good interpersonal skills, innovative, creative and ability to coordinate well with UNDP partner agencies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications
• Experience in event planning
• Respectful of the mandates and roles of different partners, particularly government supported institutions and can build and sustain productive and mutually beneficial partnerships.   

 Core:

• Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status.
• Shows interpersonal skills and works collaboratively in small and large multi-cultural teams with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.
• Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner.
• Remains calm, composed and patient, regardless of his/her own state of mind in the face of conflict.

•  Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) in the field of international affairs, international economic policy, public administration, business administration or related field;
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the field of international affairs, international economic policy, public administration, business administration or related field;
• Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Skills & Experience:

• Experience and proficiency using Excel required
• Proven capacity in research and data analysis required.
• Interest in SDG financing, impact measurement and management, financing for development, SDG-aligned investing, or sustainable development required
• Concise writing skills required.
• Strong computer application user skills required. 
• Experience living or working in developing countries is an asset.
• Completion of the IMM for SDGs course preferred.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English required. 
• Fluency in French or Spanish is required.
• Working knowledge of additional UN languages preferred.

Main Internship Conditions:

• Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship
• Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy: the stipend is to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.