Background

CORPORATE BACKGROUND:

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

FELLOWSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND:

UNDP Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) has a mandate to leverage the role of the private sector in development. ICPSD was established in Istanbul, Türkiye on the basis of the Partnership Framework Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Türkiye and the UNDP in March 2011. The Center advocates and facilitates the contribution of the private sector to human development and inclusive growthin four thematic priority areas:

Under its impact investment thematic area, ICPSD and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) established the Global Islamic Finance and Impact Investing Platform (GIFIIP) in 2016 to position Islamic finance and impact investing as leading enablers of SDG implementation around the world. Bringing together the private sector, governments and key stakeholders operating in the Islamic finance and impact investing markets, the platform aims to promote market-based solutions to sustainable development challenges. It focuses on enabling the private sector, using Islamic finance in tandem with impact investing to achieve SDGs on a global scale.

As part of GIFIIP and the broader Islamic finance portfolio, the Center designs and implements activities to support UNDP Country Offices, partners, and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. The activities include, but are not limited to, developing Islamic finance backed innovative financing mechanisms, such as microfinancing, credit guarantee funds, Green Sukuk products, as well as designing capacity building activities such as training programmes and awareness raising activities.

Under the guidance and supervision of the ICPSD’s Deputy Director and Islamic Finance Portfolio Lead, the Research Fellow will provide support to research and knowledge management activities of ICPSD in Islamic finance and impact investing. The Research Fellow will conduct research on political, social, and economic trends in the impact investing thematic area of the Center and participate in the formulation, management, and evaluation of knowledge management activities within ICPSD’s mandate to enhance the role of private sector in development.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Fellow will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

Competencies

• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
• Outgoing, proactive person with a goal-oriented mind-set;
• Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, Islamic finance, international development, international relations, political science, or related field is required; OR
• Master’s degree in economics, business administration, Islamic finance, international development, international relations, political science, or related field is an asset.

IT skills:

• Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools.
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems (i.e. ERP, Atlas) is an asset.

Language skills:

• English is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic and/or French and/or Persian/Dari is an advantage.

Application procedure:

The application should contain:

• Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post;
• Current and complete CV in English;

Please group all your documents into one single PDF document, as the system only allows a single document to be uploaded.

Candidates who are selected for must submit prior to the interview the following documents:

Official document(s) confirming meeting at least one of the educational requirements. 

Stipend:

During the time of the fellowship, UNDP will provide a monthly stipend.

Background

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crises and to drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives, build resilient nations, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sustainable Development Goals represent the global consensus for the comprehensive and ambitious 2030 Agenda. The level of ambition and the need for resources to reach the targets necessitate innovations to increase efficiency, and partnerships for effective use of existing resources as well as growing them.

As a major effort to finance SDGs and in order to streamline its financial and investment engagement, UNDP launched the Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH), a finance and innovation platform, that draws on a critical mass of UNDP expertise, initiatives, and partnerships to support the mobilization and leveraging of resources for the SDGs and lead the implementation of the new UNDP private sector strategy and other initiatives. The Hub is an integral part of both the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), as well as part of the GPN. The Hub serves as a connector, broker and global coordinator among internal and external actors; curates and manages UNDP’s catalogue of service offers on SDG financing to governments, investors and companies, via the COs, to significantly enhance the scale and impact of UNDP’s work. 

Through SFH, UNDP’s Istanbul Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD), one of the five Global Thematic Policy Centers of UNDP, acts as an enabler for the private sector and foundations to become more active partners in development, encouraging them through policy advice and technical services on how to contribute towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. ICPSD was established in 2011 in partnership with the Government of Türkiye.

The Center’s work to engage foundations and the private sector focuses on delivering policy advice and technical services in four thematic areas:

• Private sector engagement through South-South cooperation for the SDGs

• Digital transformation and private sector engagement in skills development

• SDG Financing and Private Sector Development-Impact Investing

• Resilience and crisis response

Duties and Responsibilities

The main duties that the intern will be expected to carry out are:

• Provide research, writing and editing support on issues related to impact investing, SDG financing;
• Support publishing knowledge stories/best practices on impact investing, SDG financing and;
• Contribute to designing and implementation of initiatives, projects or programmes;
• Provide administrative support on an as-needed basis;
• Prepare relevant communications materials (speeches, brochures, success stories, social media materials etc.);
• Collaborate on the development and execution of online content (images, infographics, videos, blogs etc.) and campaigns delivered across various social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. 
• Other relevant tasks as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Competencies

Technical/Functional Competencies:

• Excellent research and writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills;
• Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues while meeting deadlines;
• Excellent interpersonal skills: being able to listen and collaborate with a wide range of players, being able to work independently, being pro-active and taking initiative;
• Be able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Personal Competencies:

• Commitment to UNDP's mission, vision and values;
• Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

a) be enrolled in a second university degree programme (Master Degree); or

b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (Bachelor Degree); or

c) have graduated with a university degree in in fields such as economics, finance, business, development, international relations, law, public administration or similar and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

• Solid experience in academic writing, research and analysis;
• Experience on sustainable development, impact investing and/or SDG financing is an asset;
• Computer literate in standard software applications;
• Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and have a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of the UN Charter;
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs;
• Previous experience on project designing and implementation is an asset;
• Social media account management and content development skills are desirable.

Language:

Fluency in spoken and written English and French is required;

Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Financial Issues:

Interns will be given a stipend according to the UNDP Internship Policies, if they are not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme.

The monthly amount of the stipend will be determined for each duty station based on the stipend rates published yearly by the OHR Policy and Compensation Unit. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.

Application Procedure:

The application should contain:

• Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post;
• Current and complete CV in English;
• One relevant writing sample.

Please group all your documents into one single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents:

• Official document(s) confirming your education status;
• Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical and life/accident insurance.

UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity. It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa, and need to plan for these well in advance.

Subsequent Employment:

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies.
Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
More information available at: http://www.undp.org/internships/.

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.

Background

The Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) offers a selected group of outstanding graduate-level students the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to ICPSD's work as a center of excellence for the private sector in development. It is designed to provide support to ICPSD’s applied research and policy advisory services and to complement the interns’ practical experience in various issues related to private sector engagement, skills generation, impact investing and other topics of international development. The Programme operates under the rules and regulations of the UNDP Internship Policy.

UNDP ICPSD leads UNDP’s private sector strategy, mobilizing the private sector to engage in development. ICPSD convenes stakeholders from public and private industry as well as foundations to facilitate knowledge sharing and partnerships, catalyzes private sector actors for developing products and initiatives for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) implementation and provides support to raise capital through innovative financing models such as blended finance. 

UNDP ICPSD’s impact investing work stream is based on two pillars: Conventional finance and Islamic finance.

ICPSD and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) established the Global Islamic Finance and Impact Investing Platform (GIFIIP) in 2016 to position Islamic finance and impact investing as leading enablers of SDG implementation around the world. Bringing together the private sector, governments and key stakeholders operating in the Islamic finance and impact investing markets, the platform aims to promote market-based solutions to sustainable development challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities

This intern will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide research, writing and editing support on issues and knowledge products related to Islamic finance and impact investing;
• Support publishing knowledge stories/best practices on Islamic finance and impact investing;
• Contribute to designing and implementation of initiatives, projects, or programmes;
• Provide administrative support on an as-needed basis;
• Prepare relevant communications materials (speeches, brochures, success stories, social media, materials, etc.);
• Collaborate on the development and execution of online content (images, infographics, videos, blogs, etc.) and campaigns delivered across various social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. 
• Other relevant tasks as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Competencies

Technical/Functional Competencies

• Excellent research and writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills;
• Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues while meeting the deadlines;
• Excellent interpersonal skills: being able to listen and collaborate with a wide range of players, being able to work independently, being pro-active and taking initiative;
• Be able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Personal Competencies:

• Commitment to UNDP's mission, vision, and values;
• Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age differences;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

a) be enrolled in a second university degree programme (Master Degree);or

b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (Bachelor Degree); or

c) have graduated with a university degree in fields such as Islamic economics and finance, economics, finance, business, development, international relations, law, public administration or similar and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

• Experience in academic writing, research, and analysis on sustainable development, and impact investing.
• Knowledge of SDG financing and Islamic finance is an asset;
• Knowledge of the OIC countries is desirable;
• Computer literate in standard software applications;
• Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and have a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of the UN Charter;
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs;
• Previous experience on economics and finance research, preferably with a perspective on Islamic finance is an asset;
• Previous experience on project designing and implementation is an asset;
• Social media account management and content development skills are desirable.

Language:

• Strong spoken and written English is required;
• Spoken and written Arabic is an asset.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Financial Issues

Interns will be given a stipend according to the UNDP Internship Policies, if they are not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme.

The monthly amount of the stipend will be determined for each duty station based on the stipend rates published yearly by the OHR Policy and Compensation Unit. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.

Application Procedure

The application should contain:

• Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post; and
• Current and complete CV in English;

Please group all your documents into one single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents:

• Official document(s) confirming your education status;
• Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical insurance.

UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity. It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa , and need to plan for these well in advance.

Subsequent Employment

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies.
Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
More information is available at: http://www.undp.org/internships/.

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.

Background

I. Corporate Background: 

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) is the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global organization mandated to leverage the role of the private sector in development. The ICPSD was established in Istanbul, Türkiye based on the Partnership Framework Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the United Nations Development Program in March 2011. The center is one of the five global thematic policy centers of UNDP, supports the private sector and foundations to become transformative partners in development through research, advocacy, facilitation of public-private dialogue and brokering partnerships. ICPSD leads UNDP’s global work on private sector and foundations and supports UNDP’s offices all around the world.   

II. Fellowship Office Background:  

Under its Crisis Response and Resilience thematic area, ICPSD actively supports a diverse range of private sector entities and communities in disaster-prone, conflict-affected, and economically challenged regions. The focus is on enhancing business resilience and crisis response capabilities through strategic partnerships and specialized technical support. ICPSD collaborates closely with UNDP and local stakeholders to conduct risk assessments, facilitate disaster risk reduction, and support recovery efforts. The approach ensures inclusive support for businesses of all sizes, from multinational corporations to MSMEs, focusing on critical economic sectors and geographic concentrations. Key services include Business Impact Assessments (BIAs) for effective crisis management, tailored business coaching programs, and initiatives to strengthen community and MSME resilience. Technical assistance in energy access and disaster risk financing is also provided to foster sustainable economic growth in vulnerable areas. 

III. Project Description 

Economic instability and limited livelihood opportunities continue to pose significant challenges to sustainable development in many regions worldwide. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that tackles systemic barriers, strengthens value chains, and enhances socio-economic resilience. Coordinated efforts are essential, involving governments, civil society organizations, youth, women, traditional leaders, media, academic institutions, the private sector, and local communities. 

ICPSD is actively working on studies and initiatives aimed at identifying gaps and opportunities within value chains, focusing on enhancing economic resilience and fostering inclusive growth. These efforts include analyzing the systemic barriers affecting local production and trade, assessing the challenges faced by value chain actors, and exploring innovative solutions to unlock livelihood opportunities. The work combines qualitative methods to capture the lived experiences of stakeholders with quantitative analyses to assess the broader economic landscape and identify actionable pathways for improvement. 

To further these efforts, the fellowship program supports cutting-edge research in private sector development, focusing on value-chain optimization, livelihood enhancement, and the socio-economic empowerment of vulnerable groups. By fostering innovation and generating new insights, the program aims to contribute to both academic knowledge and practical solutions that create sustainable economic opportunities and build resilience in complex environments. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Competencies

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; 

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in fields such as economics, finance, business, development, international relations, law, public administration or related field is required; 

II. Experience: 

• Solid experience in conducting economic research and analysis, including value chain assessments, trade dynamics and market studies. 

• Experience on collect, organize, and analyze data using appropriate research methods, tools, and techniques; 

III. Language skills: 

Eligibility and Selection of Fellows:

• In the case of Sponsoring Entity Fellowships, Fellows will be identified through collaboration between UNDP and the Sponsoring Entity. The eligibility criteria for specific fellowship initiatives will be agreed by the Sponsoring Entity and UNDP, taking into account UNDP’s expectations and the opportunities available at UNDP. The final selection of the Fellows will be done by UNDP. UNDP may limit the number of Fellows that may be received from a Sponsoring Entity at any given time. 

• In the case of UNDP Corporate Fellowships, the selection of the Fellow will be done by UNDP based on the eligibility criteria detailed in the Fellowship Project/Programme Document governing the specific fellowship initiative. 

Background

The Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) offers a selected group of outstanding graduate-level students the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to ICPSD's work as a center of excellence for private sector in development. The internship is designed to support ICPSD’s applied research and policy advisory services and to complement the interns’ practical experience in various issues related to private sector engagement, skills generation, private sector resilience, impact investing, and other topics of international development. The Programme operates under the rules and regulations of the UNDP Internship Policy. 

UNDP ICPSD leads UNDP’s private sector strategy, mobilizing the private sector to engage in development. ICPSD convenes stakeholders from public and private industry, as well as foundations to facilitate knowledge sharing and partnerships, catalyses private sector actors for developing products and initiatives for SDG implementation, and provides support to raise capital through innovative financing models such as blended finance.   

With the goal of leaving no one behind and building the resilience of a wider category of businesses in disaster-prone, climate vulnerable, conflict-affected, crisis-stricken and fragile countries, states, cities, and communities, ICPSD will complement the work of the UNDP-OCHA Connecting Business Initiative and other global initiatives working with business networks through service offers aimed at engaging, supporting and capacitating various other types of private sector actors (e.g. MSMEs) at multiple levels of engagement and building the resilience of their strategic areas of concentration. These offers will be provided by the ICPSD Resilience and Crisis Response team, which will focus its work on thematic areas such as risk-informed development, disaster early warning and preparedness, climate resilience, and resilient recovery. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide quantitative analysis and data management support, including data collection, data cleaning, processing, and performing statistical and econometric analysis; 

• Develop and maintain databases, ensuring data integrity, accuracy, and accessibility for analysis and reporting; 

• Support the design and administration of surveys, ensuring robust data collection and quality assurance, and alignment with program objectives; 

• Support the evaluation of program impacts using quantitative methods, including econometric modelling, and performing econometric analysis; 

• Prepare relevant communications materials (speeches, brochures, success stories, social media materials etc.); 

Competencies

• Excellent IT skills and quantitative analysis skills, including proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, PowerBI); 

• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills, with a demonstrated ability to interpret and communicate complex data clearly; 

• Excellent interpersonal skills: being able to listen and collaborate with a wide range of players, being able to work independently, being pro-active and taking initiative; 

Personal Competencies: 

• Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences; 

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

Applicants must at the time of application meet at least one of the following requirements:  

• Have graduated with a university degree in in fields such as economics, econometrics, statistics, data science, finance, business, development, international relations, law, public administration or similar at least one year ago.

Required experience:  

• Solid experience in academic writing, research and quantitative analysis. 

• Experience with data analysis or statistical software: Excel, SPSS, R, Python or similar platforms. 

• Demonstrated knowledge in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and have a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of the UN Charter.

Language: 

Financial Renumeration  

Interns will be given a stipend according to the UNDP Internship Policies, if they are not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme.  

The monthly amount of the stipend will be determined for each duty station based on the stipend rates published yearly by the OHR Policy and Compensation Unit. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly. 

Application Procedure 

The application should contain: 

The Candidate who is selected will be required to submit the following documents: 

UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Subsequent Employment 

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. 

Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship. 

More information available at: http://www.undp.org/internships/  

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. 

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.

The Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) serves as UNDP's primary knowledge and advisory hub for Europe and CIS (RBEC) region. The Hub connects the region to a global network of development experts, builds knowledge and capacity, and forges partnerships to address the development challenges of a complex and diverse region. The Regional Programme (2022-2025) focuses on three key directions of change: structural transformation (including green, inclusive and digital transitions); leaving no one behind; and building resilience.   

The UNDP Innovation Team in Europe and Central Asia is pioneering a transformative approach to sustainable development through strategic innovation, portfolio and systems-thinking methods. At the core of this work is the portfolio approach, which organizes initiatives around cohesive outcomes, enabling UNDP to address complex challenges through systems thinking and adaptive management. With over 15 active portfolios across 12 Country Offices, this systemic approach is reshaping development strategies in areas such as urban transformation, digital innovation, and crisis response.   

Looking ahead, the team is focusing on three key innovation portfolio areas: Twin Transition (Digital and Green) on local level; AI and emerging technologies, aimed at scaling these solutions; and Future Ready UNDP, which incorporates foresight and intelligence for horizontal integration across themes. Our innovation work is organized around three flagship projects:  

• The Mayors for Economic Growth initiative, funded by the European Union, has grown to include over 400 municipalities across five countries. This project provides targeted support, from quick response grants to portfolio journeys, helping local authorities reimagine economic development.  

• The Slovak Transformation Fund enables city experimentation and impact acceleration work through BOOST, which accelerates social impact ventures through tailored support, networking, and financing opportunities. 

• The Tadamon initiative, supported by the Islamic Development Bank, is empowering civil society organizations in OIC member countries. By mapping over 3,800 organizations, providing crowdfunding training to 600 CSOs, and offering grants for innovative projects, Tadamon is building a robust ecosystem of social impact.   

In addition to these flagship projects, the team is actively supporting conflict-affected countries on their pathway to EU accession, particularly Ukraine and Moldova. For instance, through the "EU Response and Renewal Grant Programme for M4EG," we're providing direct support to city and town authorities in these countries, addressing immediate needs caused by the war and supporting longer-term economic recovery and renewal.  

The team is also at the forefront of exploring innovative financing mechanisms to address the unique challenges faced by small capitals and secondary cities in the region. Building on the success of the UNDP Alternative Finance Lab (AltFinLab) and early experimentation with innovative financing mechanisms, we're exploring tools such as Green and SDG Bonds, Social Impact Bonds, tokenization, and smart contracts to bridge the financing gap for high-impact urban development projects.  

Looking ahead, the team is exploring how emerging technologies can be harnessed for development. The innovation team is also focusing on digital transformation, recognizing that most innovation in the region is rooted in this space, with the goal of leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital financing solutions to drive systemic change and ensure transparent, efficient public sector and while seeking to create new opportunities at the intersection of digital and green technologies to drive sustainable development and systemic change in the region. The team is also pioneering new financing approaches, such as developing a portfolio financing framework that aligns funding with systemic change efforts. Partnerships with blockchain platforms like Algorand and Cardano are opening new avenues for transparent and efficient development financing. Through regular reflections and a commitment to continuous learning, the innovation team ensures its work remains relevant and impactful. This adaptive approach allows UNDP to stay at the forefront of development innovation, constantly evolving its strategies to meet the complex challenges of our time.  

The UNDP Innovation Team is not just about projects and innovation methods; it's also a dynamic and supportive environment for professional growth. New team members are welcomed with mentorship and regular feedback, ensuring they're well-equipped to contribute to and learn from our innovative work. We are walking the talk - applying the same principles of adaptation, learning, and collaboration to our team dynamics that we advocate in our development approaches. This creates a space where individuals can grow, take on new challenges, and make meaningful contributions to our mission of reimagining development for the 21st century.   

IRH is now looking for a driven and curious intern to join the Innovation Team, to support in the area of innovations and urban transformation, including on research, horizon scanning, design, and explore new ways of doing development. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Innovation Team at IRH, and in collaboration with project coordinators, the intern will work closely with various team members in the Innovation Team on the following tasks:  

• Support the development of knowledge products, such as tools and user guides, as well as consolidation of practices on system thinking, urban transformation, alternative financing models or similar;   

• Support in advocacy efforts and development of communication materials for the innovation team, such as: 

  • Draft articles, blogs, social media posts about regional and country level activities   

  • Consolidate newsletters, develop and maintain user databases, and support distribution of newsletters and other communication materials 

  • Support with updates of web-based platforms for the innovation with new communication materials 

  • Research and generate input for policy notes/briefs; 

• Support community engagement efforts: 

  • Mapping of unusual suspects (NGOs) and others

  • Support activities to understand needs and capabilities of communities of interest;

  • Support community engagement efforts - co-creation, alumni networks, listening - across urban, innovation ecosystems and

  • Engage and maintain alumni networks BOOST, Crowdfunding or others, as well as follow up impact monitoring  

• Support event organization, such as: 

• Support with design-related tasks – including: 

  • Inclusive and consultative design of products and processes

  • Identification of new products and their adaptation for the needs of UNDP,

  • Any other service design-related tasks. 

• Any other related tasks deem necessary and appropriate. 

Competencies

Competencies 

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education: 

Education:

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

• be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
• be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
• have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) in a relevant discipline and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation; 
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Experience:

• Demonstrated interest on systems thinking, innovative finance, human-centered design, and other innovative approaches for development  

• Experience with handling web-based management systems, web administration, and data analysis is an advantage. 

Language skills:

• Language skills: Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English; knowledge of Arabic, French, Russian, and/or Turkish is an asset. 

We recognize that imposter syndrome or self-doubt can in some cases be significant barriers to apply, particularly for youth minorities. We encourage you to apply if you are excited about innovation and changing the way we do global development work, even if you feel that you may not hold all the qualifications and assets above.

Financial Issues:
Internships within the UN system are subject to conditions the applicant must get familiar with before signing his/her internship agreement.
Starting in January 2020 interns will receive stipends according to UN rules and regulations.
Any further costs associated with the internship must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution, or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students, or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her arrangements for travel, accommodation, and other costs.
 
Application procedure:
The application should contain:

• Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post;
• Current and complete CV in English;
• Portfolio or work samples (such as video links, photographs, social media content/posts,)
• Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document, as the system only allows to upload a maximum one document.

Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents:

• Official letter from the University confirming enrolment in a graduate-level degree programme;
• Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected interns must have medical and life insurance.

Conditions:

•  UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months;
•  UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents, illness or death during the internship;
•  Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
•  Interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents, and need to plan for these well in advance; 

Subsequent Employment:
 The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies.
 Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
 More information available at: http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/rbec/en/home/about_us/jobs/internships/.