Background:

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to end poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, as well as protect the planet, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, these efforts aim to ensure that improvements in human wellbeing remain within ecological boundaries. We also help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities and institutional capabilities, as well as build resilience, in order to achieve the SDGs.   

UNDP China has been working in China over the past 45 years, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development. UNDP China’s actions and programmes for the period of 2026-2030 are defined in its Country Programme Document for China (CPD), prepared in cooperation with the Government of China and other partners. The CPD contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for China 2026-2030 and aligned to support the development priorities outlined in the Government of China’s 15th Five Year Plan. 

The SDGs calls for accelerated actions, unprecedented investments and cooperation across all of society – including governments, communities, civil society and the private sector, and achieving them requires overcoming a critical financing gap. As the world’s second largest economy, China is increasingly recognized as an important player as a sandbox of innovative solutions for the SDGs as well as in global sustainable finance market and financial system reforms. Its efforts in transition to a low-carbon economy and redirecting financial resources for environmental objectives are essential to meet the global sustainable development goals. 

Building on China’s achievements, UNDP stands to work with partners across the public and private sectors to enhance SDG-alignments in China’s financial system by increasing data availability, boosting transparency, harmonizing standards, and facilitating international experience sharing.

For more information please see: https://www.undp.org/china/sdg-finance

Description of Responsibilities:

Under the guidance of the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Policy Team and direct supervision of SDG Finance Policy Analyst the intern will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support quality assurance and research projects in areas of climate/green/transition finance, SDG financing tools, ESG integration in financial sectors, impact measurement and reporting, sustainable fiscal policies, innovative financing mechanisms such as debt-for-development swaps and blended finance, development indicators such as the Human Development Index, etc. Tasks include translation, report drafting and polishing, event management, procurement management, administration, etc. 

2. Support project-level and office-wide activities and communications in SDG finance. Tasks include drafting concept notes, slides & talking points, speeches, invitation letters, as well as internal coordination across teams.

3. Support policy research with a focus on the green transition by conducting data analysis, literature reviews, producing charts and graphs, and drafting briefs and concept notes on frontier topics in sustainable finance or development economics within China and globally;

4. Support office-wide activities, including but not limited to employee association initiatives, green commitment activities, and other team-building events.

5. Any other emerging tasks as required.

Competencies:

Core Competencies:

  • Sound analytical and research skills;
  • Excellent reading and writing skills in English and Chinese; 
  • Strong knowledge on sustainable finance and macroeconomics;
  • Good understanding about SDGs and development issues;
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

  • Ability to learn fast in interdisciplinary subjects;
  • Ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines;
  • Ability to manage coordination and logistic tasks with minimum supervision.
  • Value the equal importance of research and administrative tasks;
  • Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills;
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

  1. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
  2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
  3. 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;
  4. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.
  5. Majoring or having academic or work experience in finance,  economics, or public policy

Other qualifications 

  • Willing to learn and take instructions from supervisor; 
  • Exhibit a high standard of integrity and professionalism;
  • Resilient, flexible, quick response, good at multi-tasking;
  • Respect deadlines, results-oriented, can work under high pressure and fast pace;
  • Take pride in working with UNDP, passionate to make a difference;
  • Advanced command of English and Chinese.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please fill all required boxes in the application system including education, experience, nationality etc. and upload below documentswith your application: 

a)     CV and letter of motivation

b)     Copy of school transcript 

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

  1. Interns may be given a stipend according to the UNDP Internship Policies, if is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme.   
  2. If the intern candidate receives financial support of stipend or living allowance from another entity which is intended to help cover basic daily expenses, such as meals and transportation, and the amount meets or exceeds the amount of UNDP stipend, the candidate will not be eligible for the UNDP stipend, regardless of whether financial support is specifically designated for this UNDP internship or not.
  3. Interns, whether engaged in-person or remotely, are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide self-certification of good health prior to starting the internship. Any cost arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
  4. Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed; Cost and arrangement for travel, visas, passports, accommodations and living expenses are the responsibility of the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or the intern.
  5. Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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