Impact Investing Research Intern

Background

The Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (IICPSD) offers a selected group of outstanding graduate-level students the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to IICPSD's work as a center of excellence for private sector in development. The Internship is designed to provide support to IICPSD’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 IICPSD leads UNDP’s private sector strategy, mobilizing the private sector to engage in development. IICPSD convenes stakeholders from public and private industries as well as foundations to facilitate knowledge sharing and partnerships, catalyzes 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.

IICPSD’s impact investing portfolio aims to position impact investing as a leading enabler of SDG financing especially in the least developed and developing contexts. To this end, the Center conducts research and provides technical assistance services on both conventional and faith-based impact investing to showcase the potential of specific markets for the growing impact investing momentum.

Duties and Responsibilities

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

Provide research, writing and editing support on issues related to impact investing;
Support publishing knowledge stories/best practices on 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 the 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

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); 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, SDG financing and Islamic finance is an asset;

Computer literacy 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 English is required. Fluency in French is highly desirable.

Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.