Intern, Finance For Food - F4F Programme (UNCDF)

Background

UNCDF, the UN capital investment agency for the 49 least developed countries, provides seed capital and technical assistance to test new modalities of public and private financing for local development through two Practice Areas:  Local Development Finance Practice (LDFP) and Inclusive Finance Practice Area (FIPA). These investments are designed to leverage financial flows from the private sector, national governments and developments partners, for maximum impact towards achieving the MDGS and SGDs.The approach of the Local Development Finance Practice (LDFP) is to mobilize, allocate, invest and make accountable these increased flows through improved and strengthened local public and private institutions. Three instruments are developed and used: (1) local development fund, (2) municipal finance and (3) the Local Finance Initiative (promoting public-private partnerships and the mobilization of private domestic resources).In this context UNCDF has developed the Finance For Food (F4F) program to provide solutions for Local Food and Nutrition Security in Africa and Asia through encouraging increased gender-sensitive public, public-private and community investments to fill missing links in the Local Food Systems (LFS).F4F is built on several programs developed and implemented by UNCDF in LDCs Africa (Benin, Burundi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger) and through a longstanding partnership with BFFS. F4F supports the design of better adapted policies and support programs, enabling Local Governments to play a strategic role in Food and Nutrition Security.  Furthermore, F4F program aims to contribute to achieving UNCDF’s overall mandate as measured by its Integrated Results and Resources Matrix (IRRM) and through the Outcome N°2 “Effective financing mechanisms established to increase resilience to economic and environmental shocks”. UNCDF’s Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) focused on resilience building thru Climate adaptation is also contributing to this outcome N°2. Recently UNCDF developed a partnership with UNCCD, in order to contribute to the SDG 15.3 by implementing FNS investments that are Land Degradation Neutral.F4F is based on the following key steps: i) Assessment of the overall Local Food System characteristics, ii) definition of the scope of potential intervention of the Local Government, iii) identification of the scope of intervention including Investment menu and adequate funding mechanism, iv) planning of specific interventions and resources allocation (public or private) and v) Knowledge Management and sharing. The investment menu of the F4F program is based on the development of FNS investible projects pipeline including private and PPP through LFI mechanism.F4F is in its 2nd year of implementation as Global program. So far, key products have been distilled among which: 1) Food and Nutrition Security methodological guidelines, 2) FNS projects evaluation template that can guide screening and approval of investible candidate projects to F4F, 3) M&E systems and tools including relevant indicators based on the F4F guidelines, 4) methods and tools of the planning process in the context of the LFS assessment outcomes that is under fine-tuning and 5) Guidelines of the Request  For Proposal (F4F) for FNS investments in the F4F candidate countries.To implement the Program at the country level, Framework of Collaboration with candidate countries will be signed to implement their FNS policies. The Countries together with UNCDF will jointly mobilize the required resources to implement the agreed framework. The 1st board meeting of the F4F will be held in April 2017 with the objective to agree on action plan and the global resources mobilization strategy at global and regional level.  Objectives of the assignmentUNCDF/F4F is looking for an Intern that can support the F4F Programme Management including helping reporting and F4F global event preparation. Particularly, the Intern will assist F4F team in supporting the implementation of the Programme, in depth data analysis and conducting case studies, supporting monitoring and evaluation of the programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the organization and the monitoring of the Programme dashboard• Support the implementation of the F4F Global Program• Support data compilation and Program reporting including Program contribution to the UNCDF corporate Annual Report• Support organization of substantive events including board meetings, steering committees and conferences• Provide support to other ad-hoc assignments directed by the supervisor.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Commitment to UNCDFs vision, mission, and strategic goals;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills;
• Able to work effectively in a team and in an international environment.

Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrable skills in research, analytical thinking, and communication;
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English and French;
• Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines;
• Able to take initiative and work independently, with minimum supervision;
• Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure within an international setting;
• Interest in the UN system and general knowledge of development issues is a plus;
• Ability to perform a variety of administrative tasks.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Master’s degree in fields of expertise related to Project Management, International Development, International Finance and Policy or any other related fields

Experiences:

• Familiar with Project Management, Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation System
• Very Good knowledge of Database/Excel and MS software in general
• Self-starter; organized; able to multitask and balance multiple responsibilities.

Language:

• Working knowledge of both French and English

Conditions:

• Interns are not financially remunerated by UNCDF. The costs associated with the latter must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to applicant who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel, accommodation, etc. Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out (i.e. Dakar, Senegal);
• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNCDF but to complement an intern’s studies; therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
• Please submit your Resume/CV and an application using the UNCDF Internship Application form: http://uncdf.org/download/file/127/2509/internshipdoc

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