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 across four strategic objectives:

• Prosperity for All: Focus on reducing poverty, expanding economic opportunities, promoting decent jobs and livelihoods, and reducing inequalities.
• Effective Governance: Promote democratic processes, rule of law and good governance, and improve public service delivery.
• Crisis Resilience: Help countries anticipate, prevent, and recover from shocks such as conflict, climate-related disasters, and economic crises. The vision is to bridge humanitarian response and long-term development by addressing root causes of vulnerability and strengthening resilience systems.
• Healthy Planet: Integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity protection and sustainable resource management into national development and economic planning.

In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

III. INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND: 

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 the 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 the UNSGSA, Queen Máxima raises awareness and advocates specific policies, investments and actions with governments, regulators, private companies, international institutions and diverse stakeholders, all with a 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 the UNDP HQ in New York. The Office follows a hybrid model with three in-office days per week. The internship can be full-time (5 days per week) or part-time (2.5-3 days per week). The intern will report to the Policy Specialist of the Office of the UNSGSA.
 

III. DUTIES: 

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Assist the team in planning and implementing the high-level advocacy initiatives led by Her Majesty Queen Máxima in her role as the UNSGSA (50%)

• Provide research and analytical support on topics relevant to financial health from both public and private sector perspectives.
• Develop case studies highlighting emerging good practices in product design that improve consumer financial health.
• Draft timely and high-quality background papers, briefing notes, research, and analysis for the Office of the UNSGSA on issues related to financial health and financial inclusion for positive development outcomes.
• Support the Office in the organization of UNSGSA high-level meetings and country visits with Governments, UN entities, intergovernmental organizations and other key partners. 
• Attend relevant UN meetings to follow relevant global policy dialogue efforts.
• Support the coordination of meetings with key stakeholders, preparing meeting notes/takeaways, and correspondence.       

2.  Support Office management and operations (50%)

• Provide general office logistical and administrative support to high-level meetings and advocacy activities organized by the UNSGSA's office.
• Help with stakeholder outreach, including Member States, UN agencies, development partners and others.
• Provide administrative support for accurate office documentation, communications and daily operational matters.
•  Support other ad hoc activities as needed.   
   

IV. REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS
 

Eligibility (Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements):

• currently enrolled in a Master’s degree; or
• have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a Master’s degree or equivalent studies.

Field of study: International Relations, Economics, Finance, Political Science, International Development, Business Management, or equivalent. 
 

Experience:

• Knowledge in international relations and international development, financial inclusion and financial health, and multilateral organizations.
• Prior relevant research experience is desirable, particularly in financial health, financial inclusion, economic policy and international development policy.
• Experience working in the private sector with a financial service provider (bank, fintech, credit union, or microfinance institution) is an asset.
• Experience working with high-level stakeholders, such as government officials and representatives from international organizations, is an asset.

Language skills:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of other UN languages especially French and Spanish is an advantage.

Other competencies and attitude:

• Experience producing analytical and research work related to international development, financial sector development, enabling environment for business, and related topics. 
• Excellent research and analytical skills. Demonstrated experience with qualitative and quantitative economic analysis.
• Strong drafting and written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Capacity to prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines even in imperfect conditions and thrive as part of a small and fast-moving team. 
• Success working independently and as a member of a team, and with partners in other time zones and from diverse and multi-cultural contexts.
• Displays the highest standards of confidentiality, discretion and integrity.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Interest working for an international institution and in the financial inclusion sector.
   

V. INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

• Interns are expected to work full-time (5 days per week). Part-time flexibility is allowed for education programmes (2.5–3 days per week).
• UNDP will not pay interns for internship but will provide a stipend in the amount of USD 1,000 per month for full-time work in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP internship policy; all other expenses connected with it will be borne by me or my sponsoring Government or institution;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
• Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
• Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.