Internship - Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF)

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

The UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub brings together UNDP’s financial expertise to harness public and private capital for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)- supporting governments, investors and businesses in reaching climate, social impact and sustainability targets. Its work drives systemic change towards a sustainable financial architecture that benefits people and the planet.

Find out more about its integrated services that ensure all finance is sustainable, at sdgfinance.undp.org or follow @UNDP_SDGFinance

UNDP’s Insurance and Risk Finance Facility is charting new pathways to build resilience, incentivize growth and safeguard development. Housed within UNDP’s Sustainable Finance Hub, the Facility is using insurance and risk transfer to increase the financial resilience of countries, communities, households, businesses, nature and food systems. Learn more at www.irff.undp.org.

Under the guidance of the Deputy team leader, the intern will be support the IRFF at the country, regional and global levels, and will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in in-house training opportunities as applicable;
• Learn the structure, mechanisms, policies and practice areas of UNDP;
• Participate in dedicated trainings and UNDP online learning tools;
• Strengthen effective writing and technical knowledge.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Intern is expected to perform the following tasks:

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of relevant insurance for development and risk finance indicators for all UNDP IRFF programme countries and regions;
• Conduct research and analysis, monitoring and tracking of developments in the area of insurance for development, risk finance, gender, climate change, environment, disasters, including news update;
• Support technical teams on research and analysis for the preparation of concept notes;
• Provide qualitative research on development themes and workstreams of the Facility and analysis of critical development issues across insurance and private sector activities;
• Compile research materials in a systematic way and prepare background briefs/briefing notes as and when required;
• Provide support on external engagement material production;
• Support and contribute to the reporting and M&E, including notetaking of key meetings, data collection and analysis; archiving; drafting, editing and fact-checking reports; assisting the development of infographics; drafting and publication of resource materials, translation of documents;
• Provide assistance to the organization of internal and external events; support team integration and coordination;
• Assist in other related duties as required.

Competencies:

• Have a keen interest in the work of the UN and the UNDP and demonstrate a commitment to its statement of purpose and to the ideals of the UN;
• Strong interest in, and knowledge of, global development and the work of international organisations;
• Good organizational and time management skills;
• Strong research skills and ability to identify relevant information;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
• Ability to work under tight deadlines;
• Detail-oriented way of working;
• Innovative and creative approach to tasks; 
• Able to work independently;
• Ability and desire to work in a team;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

Applicants to the UNDP Internship Programme must at the time of the application meet one of the following requirements:

1. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a Master’s programme);
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level);
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

Experience:

• Strong research skills, as well as a solid understanding of sustainable development principles and practices;
• Strong computer skills, particularly in MS Office applications (spreadsheets, data processing and web-editing, database management);
• Proficiency in operating websites and content management systems (CMS) is desirable, including experience with website editing and updates;
• Strong writing skills. 

Languages:

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required; 
• Competency in other UN language(s) is a distinct advantage.

Application Procedure:

Please upload your resume (not more than 2 pages), cover letter (max 500 words), and transcripts as one PDF attachment.  Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Conditions of the Internship:

• Since 1 January 2020 UNDP interns are provided a monthly stipend to cover costs associated to the internship. The stipend amount varies from duty station to duty station. The amount can also vary depending if a selected candidate receives financial support from a nominating institution, foundation, government or scholarship programme;
• All expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring government, or institutions;
• UNDP interns accrue leave at a rate of 1.5 days per month;
• During the internship period, interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with the UNDP and must provide a medical certificate of good health before starting the internship. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern;
• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment within the UN System, but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
• The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;

In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of the following documents upon selection:

• Copy of the applicant’s most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
• Letter from his/her university confirming current enrolment and graduation date;
• Letter of recommendation from a professor;
• Copy of his/her school transcript;
• Copy of passport;
• Completed UNDP internship application form;
• Signed UNDP Internship Agreement;
• Medical Certificate of Good Health;
• Proof of medical insurance.

Working arrangements:

• (S)he will work 3 days in the office, with 2 days from home, if preferred. 
• (S)he will utilize personal laptop and phone for the period of this internship (unless a laptop is available from the organization)
• No travel is expected. However, in the eventuality it is undertaken, associated costs to be borne by the hiring agency.