Background

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.

UNCDF’s financing models work through three channels: inclusive digital economies, connecting individuals, households, and small businesses with financial eco-systems that catalyse participation in the local economy and provide tools to climb out of poverty and manage financial lives; local development finance, that capacitates localities through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance to drive local economic expansion and sustainable development; and investment finance, that provides catalytic financial structuring, de-risking, and capital deployment to drive SDG impact and domestic resource mobilization. By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 1) on eradicating poverty and (SDG 17) on the means of implementation. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have a transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to a broad diversity of SDGs.

The Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme has been jointly developed and implemented by UNCDF, UNDP and UNU-EHS. The overall objective of the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP) is to improve the financial preparedness of Pacific governments and communities, specifically vulnerable segments of society and economic sectors, towards climate change and natural hazards.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) intern will assist the GESI Specialist in supporting the regional Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP) as well as the global UNCDF-wide Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programming initiatives in all aspects relating to the inclusion of women and other disadvantaged groups within the scope of all UNCDF supported projects ensuring that “Leaving no one behind” as well as contributing to targets under (SDG 5: Gender Equality).

The GESI intern will support other activities, outputs, and outcomes under PICAP in various countries, such as relevant research, policy, and regulatory support, integrating gender dimensions into product development, consumer empowerment activities and working with other colleagues to ensure that the overall programme goals are duly met.

The role also involves working closely with UNCDF partners, from the government, such as the central bank and ministries, and the private sector, including but not limited to commercial banks, mobile network operators, fintech, insurance companies, remittance service providers etc., as well as development partners, such as other UN Agencies, donor organizations and NGO’s.

Main outputs:

Under the immediate supervision of the GESI Specialist and intermediate supervision of the UNCDF´s Lead Specialist (Insurance and Climate Adaptation) the intern will assist the GESI Specialist in undertaking the following tasks:

• Coordinate the implementation of UNCDF’s programme activities and all aspects of gender and social inclusion across all the workstream activities according to the annual work plan, quality assurance and ensuring achievement of outputs.
• Undertake studies to analyze financial and digital inclusion barriers, particularly regarding inclusive insurance and CDRFI, and prepare summary briefings.
• Identify, review, and advise on partnership opportunities related to GESI.
• Preparation of policy briefs, concept notes, blog development, discussion papers and presentations, and assist in developing knowledge products in areas including but not limited to CDRFI, Participate in proposals/strategies development review and submissions.
• Support in programme secondary research in areas relating to inclusive insurance, potential partnerships, climate disaster risk financing and insurance (CDRFI), including parametric insurance, and its applicability in the Pacific context with a key focus on gender inclusion.
• Support the development of a pipeline of innovative projects and initiatives using UNCDF’s Technical Assistance facilities and blended finance instruments (e.g. grants, loans and guarantees); and integrate gender and social inclusion dimensions in RFAs and related project documents.
• Help identify knowledge gaps and design responses, especially from the perspective of gender inclusion.
• Contribute to drafting terms of reference in relation to the different tenders for studies, TA provision etc. This includes conceptualizing, developing, and executing competitive innovation challenges and requests for grant applications from insurance and related service providers in the Pacific.
• Evaluate performance and provide guidance and mentorship for volunteers working on programme implementation.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships, capitalize on business opportunities, and support resource mobilization for the strategy in the region.
• Liaise remotely with relevant entities and providers to introduce Climate Disaster Risk Financing (CDRF) strategy to manage economic losses after a disaster.
• Represent UNCDF in all relevant workshops, conferences, and other events where UNCDF is invited; and be part of any regional or global working group or committee as nominated by the supervisor
• Facilitate meetings of regional technical specialists and other colleagues by liaising with partners in organizing meetings.
• Support timely reporting from partners that have received support as may be required.
• Contribute to knowledge management and communication by writing blog posts, focus notes etc., particularly as it relates to gender inclusion within the projects and amplify its reach to global channels
• Contribute articles/write-ups and submit them for PICAP publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Coordinate with Government departments, financial services stakeholders, donors, and other development partners.
• A portfolio and pipeline of high-quality and innovative projects and other initiatives to support the development of a climate disaster risk insurance portfolio in the Pacific and other countries on an opportunistic basis
• Increased visibility and recognition by UNCDF’s regional stakeholders for its expertise and capacity to deliver development outcomes for an inclusive digital economy and improved financial preparedness for climate change and disaster risks.

Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.

Competencies

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Delivery
• Innovation
• Leadership
• People Management

Functional & Technical Competencies:

• Demonstrates strong writing skills, particularly the ability to present persuasive, coherent, and well-founded arguments.
• Demonstrates drive to achieve results on time and seek and find solutions to any problems encountered.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
• Ability to convert complex and abstract ideas into simple visual concepts.
• Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and a deep desire to learn.

Demonstrates a consistent commitment to proactively helping fellow members of the team.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Candidate must be enrolled in a degree/post-graduate programme in Social Sciences, International Relations, Women’s Studies, Gender Studies, Economic Development, Economics, Finance, Journalism, Political Science, Communications, or a related field.

Work Experience & Desired Skillset:

• Experience in development projects, especially in financial services from a gender lens will be an asset.
• Experience in working with policymakers, Government Ministries, and private-sector financial service providers will be an asset.
• Self-starter; organized; able to multitask, balance multiple responsibilities, and work to a deadline.

Language requirements

Fluency in English is required.

Knowledge of iTaukei/Indo-Fijian would be an asset.

Duration of Work

6 months (with the possibility of renewal)

Starting Date:

ASAP (April 2023)

Duty Station

Suva, Fiji (with possible field missions across Fiji and possibly other surrounding pacific countries)

Documentation required

Most recent cover letter and curriculum vitae/ P11

https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=308402