Remote Internship Opportunity? Join UNDP as an SDG Impact Intern: Apply Now?
The UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH)‘s Private Finance for the SDGs Programme is dedicated to accelerating private sector contributions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The goal is to guide businesses and investors in incorporating sustainability into their core management decisions and directing capital towards impactful areas for both people and the planet.
We are currently facing challenges within our social and natural systems. Issues like inequality, climate change, and other sustainable development concerns have been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The OECD reports an annual SDG financing gap of US$ 3.7 trillion—up from US$ 2.5 trillion before the pandemic. This highlights a dual problem: the financing gap and the uncertainty regarding how much of the financing will genuinely contribute to the SDGs. Moreover, there is increasing pressure from consumers and end-investors for authentic sustainable practices, as well as a pushback against SDG-washing.
While there is growing awareness among enterprises and investors about the importance of a healthy planet and society, it is insufficient. Many business and investment decisions, whether intentional or not, negatively impact people and the environment—impacts that could be avoided or mitigated by considering all consequences of these decisions. Despite the existence of various reporting standards and taxonomies, a universal yardstick for sustainable management practices is lacking, making it difficult for businesses and investors to validate their contributions to sustainability and the SDGs, thus perpetuating SDG-washing.
Additionally, private capital is not effectively directed to areas of greatest need—only 20% of global capital resides in developing countries, which account for 84% of the global population. Action is imperative.
UNDP’s SFH offers innovative solutions to help the private sector make decisions that promote the SDGs and minimize the risk of SDG-washing. Our SDG Impact Standards and impact measurement and management methodologies set the benchmark for best management practices that embed sustainability within any organization. We provide training and education to equip clients in the private sector, public sector, and academia with the knowledge and skills to implement the SDG Impact Standards. Our goal is to cultivate a management mindset where sustainability is central to decision-making. Additionally, our SDG Investor Maps highlight investment themes and business models that enable intermediaries to build investment pipelines aligned with national sustainable development priorities. With UNDP’s extensive network of 170 Country Offices, we can connect public and private sectors across the economic ecosystem, including exploring opportunities for private sector investments where they are currently limited.
Duties and Responsibilities
The primary purpose of this internship is to support the SFH Private Finance for the SDGs team in monitoring and tracking, donor reporting, and managing partnerships. Under the direct supervision of the SDG Impact Specialist and overall guidance of the Chief of SFH Private Finance for the SDGs Programme, the intern will have specific responsibilities, including:
Results Monitoring, Tracking, and Reporting
- Assist in monitoring and tracking results across global, regional, and country-level project implementations
- Manage Excel spreadsheets and analyze data
- Support donor reporting with quantitative and qualitative analyses, based on the intern’s interests and skills
Partnerships
- Identify potential new private sector and academic partners in the Nordic region
- Conduct due diligence on potential partners
- Support the preparation of training and awareness materials for the Nordic region
- Accompany the SDG Impact Specialist in partner meetings, trainings, and other activities, as per the intern’s interests and team needs
Competencies
Functional
- Proficiency in Excel and quantitative data analysis
- Self-starter, capable of working independently in an entrepreneurial environment
- Strong motivation with the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Good interpersonal skills, innovative, creative, and able to coordinate effectively with UNDP partner agencies
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications
- Promotes a culture of knowledge sharing and learning both within and outside of UNDP
- Respects the mandates and roles of different partners, especially government-supported institutions, and can build and maintain productive and mutually beneficial partnerships
Core
- Upholds the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, fairness, and incorruptibility in all work-related matters
- Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and collaborates effectively in diverse, multicultural teams within UN/UNDP and with partners and stakeholders
- Communicates information clearly, concisely, and in a timely manner, both verbally and in writing
- Maintains composure and patience in challenging situations
Required Skills and Experience
Academic Qualifications – Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application:
- Enrolled in a postgraduate degree program (such as a master’s program, or higher);
- Enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (such as a bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
- Recently graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation.
Skills & Experiences
- Proficiency in Excel and experience with data analysis required
- Demonstrated research and data analysis skills required
- Interest in SDG financing, impact measurement and management, financing for development, SDG-aligned investing, or sustainable development required
- Strong writing skills required
- Advanced computer application skills required
- Experience living or working in developing countries is an asset
- Completion of the IMM for SDGs course is preferred
Language:
- Fluency in written and spoken English required
- Proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish is a strong asset
- Additional language skills are an advantage