UNSGSA Intern

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
 

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.

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. 

 UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries' efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. The key 2030 Agenda principle of leaving no one behind and stamping out inequality is at the core of everything we do.  

 UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas: 

• Sustainable development 
• Democratic governance and peacebuilding 
• Climate and disaster resilience 
   

Office of the UNSGSA

Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands was appointed as the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development in 2009. Fifteen years later, in September 2024, she was appointed as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA) following significant global progress on financial inclusion. In this role, Queen Máxima is a leading global voice for the development of financial services, products, and policies that have financial health as the main goal. Through strategic and sustained advocacy, the UNSGSA encourages cooperation and commitment from political leaders, regulators, the private sector, civil society, and financially underserved groups, to build a more secure and resilient future. 

As UNSGSA and Honorary Patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), Queen Máxima raises awareness and advocates specific policies, investments and actions with governments, regulators, private companies, international institutions and diverse stakeholders, all with view of how inclusive financial systems can help to reduce poverty, equalize opportunity and accelerate progress toward numerous development goals. She does so through country visits, speeches, meetings, convening of stakeholders and other outreach. This requires careful, comprehensive and rigorous analysis of local conditions, policies, available services and public priorities, as well as the needs of households, enterprises and communities. 

The UNSGSA’s work is done in partnership and with wide consultation among the many stakeholders. The Office of the UNSGSA collaborates closely with an advisory Reference Group of leading international organizations in financial inclusion to share expertise and suggest strategic opportunities. Reference Group members include: the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Better Than Cash Alliance, the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), Flourish Ventures, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and The World Bank. Members of the Reference Group and many other in-country and global partners play an important role in converting advocacy into action. The UNSGSA also  works closely with the wider UN system, the UN secretariat, UN country teams, multilateral organizations, financial standard setting bodies private financial institutions, companies, donors, civil society organizations and the media.  

The Office of the UNSGSA is housed within UNDP’s Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) in New York and works closely with Queen Máxima and her secretariat in The Hague to coordinate and advance her UN and G20 activities. 

The internship will be conducted in person, with the intern based at the UNDP Headquarters in New York. 
 

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