UNSGSA Intern

I. 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 
   

II. Office of the UNSGSA

Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has served as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA) since 2024. This role builds on her 15 years as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development. As UNSGSA, Queen Máxima champions global efforts to improve financial health—helping people manage daily expenses, handle financial shocks, plan for the future, and feel secure in their financial lives.  

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 advances this advocacy through country visits, high-level meetings, speeches, and by engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including Governments, policymakers, multilateral organizations, and private sector leaders. 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 with many international partners working on advancing financial health. UNSGSA 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 consults and cooperates with the wider UN system, the UN secretariat, UN country teams, multilateral organizations, private financial institutions, companies, donors, civil society organizations and the media.  In addition, the UNSGSA also engages with financial standard setting bodies (SSBs) so that their work takes into account the advancement of financial health around the world.  

 The Office of the UNSGSA is housed within UNDP’s Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) in the UNDP headquarters 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 at UNDP HQ in New York. The Office follows a hybrid model with three in-office days per week. The intern will report to the Director of the Office of the UNSGSA. 

 

III. DUTIES:  

The intern will assist in the following duties and