SME Action Platform Intern

Contract

This is a Internship contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about Internship contracts.

Background

Launched at the United Nations in 2008, Business Call to Action (BCtA) aims to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by challenging companies to develop and grow inclusive business models that engage people at the base of the economic pyramid (BoP) as consumers, producers, suppliers, distributors of goods and services and employees. Over 270 companies, ranging from multinationals to small and medium social enterprises, and working in 82 countries, have responded to this call to action by committing to improve the lives and livelihoods of millions in developing countries through access to markets, financial services, affordable healthcare, water and sanitation, education and other critical services.

UNDP established the SME Action Platform as an on-line one-stop-shop for SMEs with information, tools and other services to help these enterprises to overcome the challenges brought by COVID19. This post seeks to help UNDP to mobilize dedicated capacity to: i) generate, collect and curate content for the SME Action Platform; ii) evaluate and suggest new services that may be provided by the platform, and iii) support analysis of business model for sustainability of the Platform.

The main objective of the SME Action Platform is to provide free of cost and easily accessible services to SMEs during the COVID-19 crisis and its aftermath. The Platform intends to provide SMEs access to strategic resources that enable them to weather the crisis as well as to lead inclusive and sustainable recovery. The Platform focuses on support for:

1. Enhancing business resilience

• Connect SMEs with actionable tools on finance, marketing support and human resources.
• Support SMEs on digital transformation to reduce structural disadvantages and achieving economies of scale.

1. Improving business competitiveness

• Open a space for trainings and knowledge sharing.
• Bring best practices on crisis management, inclusive business and IMM tools.
• Connect with strategic partners at the local level.

The site is active on-line and provides content along four categories:

1. Key Information – includes guidelines for business response to COVID-19, best business management practices in a crisis context, mapping of SME-support measures in response to COVID-19 by country and linkages to UNDP Regional Bureaus and UNDP resources:
2. Tools & Best Practices – includes UNDP Finance Sector Hub Networks’ tools on business resilience, impact management and business acceleration. It also includes recorded and upcoming webinars targeted at SMEs and companies’ examples on COVID-19 response.
3. Digital Transformation – includes UNDP #eFuture’s 6 practical guides and linkages for UNDP’s acceleration programmes offer to SMEs
4. Financing – includes UNCDF programme offer and resources for SMEs, linkage to SDG Investor Maps, UNDP’s insurance and risk finance support, list of government policies and a database of credit options available to SMEs.

The SME Action platform Intern will work in close collaboration with BCtA team members under the supervision of the Programme Manager, and benefit from broader interaction and engagement with UNDP’s Finance Sector Hub staff.

The intern will benefit from knowledge exchange and working experience with a group of highly motivated development professionals in UNDP. S/he will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in day to day work, while benefiting from effective guidance and support from supervisors and team.

Possibilities for networking and sharing experience is significant, tough within the limitations of a virtual environment should the pandemic evolution not allow physical presence in UNDP’s premises.

Duties and Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities for this position include:

1. Source and curate content from various sources to feed into the Platform;
2. Draft articles, blogs, etc. to post in the platform, regularly feeding new content;
3. Mapp potential partners/content/service providers (inclusive of UNDP country offices) and support the establishment of partnerships to help populate content and enhance services in the Platform;
4. Assess and suggest possible new service offers to be made available in the Platform, for instance, webinars and other on-line interactive features, taking into account sustainability considerations;
5. Support communication efforts to make the Platform well known among MSMEs worldwide;
6. Monitor uptake of the Platform and services and make suggestions for improvement; and
7. Support reflections and make proposals concerning the business model for the long-term sustainability of the Platform;
8. Providing mentoring to MSMEs among UNDP’s networks upon request. Capture experience and lessons learned in a report.

The SME Action platform is global in scope as the sourcing of content, partnerships, etc. cut across countries and regions.

Competencies

• Strong analytical, research, reporting and writing abilities.
• Team player; works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Able to work independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: being able to listen and collaborate with a wide range of players, working in an international environment, being pro-active and taking initiative and responsibility.

Required Skills and Experience

Eligibility

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 and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Required skills and experience

Experience

Experience in website management, content creation, digital communications is an asset.

Education

Enrolled in graduate studies on business, international business, economics or related fields.

Language

• Strong spoken and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Conditions

• UNDP interns receive a monthly stipend during the assignment based on the duty station;
• The intern can work from home;
• The intern is expected to be reasonably flexible with call times as needed;
• The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan;
• The intern must provide proof of university enrollment;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
• Interns are expected to work full-time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes.

Application Procedure

The application should contain:

• Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post.
• Current and complete CV in English.

Please group all your documents into one single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Candidates who are selected must submit prior to the interview the following documents:

• Official document(s) confirming your education status stated in the Eligibility section above.
• Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance.

UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.

It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents, and need to plan for these well in advance.

Subsequent Employment

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies.

Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship. More information available at: http://www.undp.org/internships/

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.