Intern, Public Finance for SDGs

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy and programme work, carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office (CO) levels, form a contiguous spectrum of deep, local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. Within this context, UNDP invests in a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

As part of BPPS, the Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH) was established in April 2019, aggregating UNDP’s existing work and expertise on financing the SDGs. 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. The SFH offers a comprehensive package of methods and tools in support of the organization’s SDG Integration offer to enable governments, the private sector and international financial institutions to accelerate financing for the SDGs. From supporting national strategies that deepens public-private collaboration to developing global Standards for Private Equity funds, SDG Bonds and Enterprises, and investor maps for SDG-enabling investment at global, regional and national levels, the SFH brings the best of UNDP to accelerate progress of the SDGs. 

The Public Finance for the SDGs Initiative supports governments in transforming their public finance systems to accelerate SDG implementation. It targets key barriers such as inefficient public expenditures, limited domestic resource mobilization, and misaligned fiscal policy frameworks. Public Finance for the SDGs is structured around four interlinked pillars: (1) strengthening domestic resource mobilization; (2) enhancing public expenditure efficiency; (3) ensuring fiscal policy coherence; and (4) advancing digitalization and data-driven solutions for public finance. Building on UNDP Country Office portfolios and already existing engagements with Ministries, the Public Finance for SDGs initiative is scaling up the focus and role of public finance – from the revenue, expenditure and debt perspectives - in achieving Agenda 2030. It adopts a national-to-subnational governance approach and embeds transparency, accountability, and participation throughout its work. The Initiative also promotes alignment with climate, equity, gender, health, and nature goals, enabling countries to de-risk investment environments and unlock both public and private finance for the SDGs. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the rules and regulations of the UNDP Internship policy, UNDP Public Finance for the SDGs Initiative offers multiple internships tosupporti the design and implementation of innovative approaches to strengthen domestic resource mobilization, enhance public expenditure efficiency, ensure fiscal policy coherence, and advance digitalization in public finance management. Interns will have the opportunity to work on global coordination, involving also regional and country offices, thematic experts, communications, and support on technical work. 

• Support the daily project activities such as planning implementation, monitoring and reporting at the global level 
• Support coordination across UNDP bureaus and Country Offices 
• Contribute to partnerships and resource mobilization efforts
• Assist in conducting analytical work and research in areas related to public financial management, budgeting for SDGs, fiscal space analysis, expenditure tracking, and policy coherence 
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products, technical notes, and guidance documents on integrating SDG principles into public finance systems
• Assist in preparation of  qualitative and quantitative evaluations to measure outputs and outcomes
• Support the effective usage of digital tools and processes to manage project data 
• Gather and analyze best practices and lessons learned to inform project implementation 
• Support the drafting of blogs, briefs, and other knowledge products
• Assist in developing communication materials including newsletters, articles, reports, and social media content 
• Support the organization of events, conferences, and workshops to promote public finance for SDGs 

Competencies

Technical / Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge of the 2030 Agenda and Financing