Finance Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global development network established in 1965, with a mission to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through sustainable development. UNDP operates in approximately 170 countries and territories, working to empower lives and build resilient nations. The organization focuses on various areas including democratic governance, peacebuilding, climate change, and sustainable development. UNDP is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within its workforce, ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to contribute to its mission.

Job Overview:
The Finance Intern position within UNDP's internship-programme" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship programme is designed for outstanding graduate-level students who seek to gain direct exposure to UNDP’s work. This role aims to deepen the intern's knowledge and understanding of UNDP’s goals, principles, and development activities while complementing their academic studies with practical experience in a dynamic international environment. The intern will work under the guidance of the Global Fund Finance Specialist, supporting the provision of financial services that ensure high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work. The intern will also promote a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations, collaborating closely with operations and programme staff in the country office and UNDP HQs staff to ensure consistent service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Intern will be responsible for providing efficient, compliant, and timely finance and administrative support aligned with UNDP’s new ERP (Quantum) and internal control framework. Key duties include:

• Providing accounting and financial support to ensure efficient operations and timely service delivery across projects and programmes.
• Ensuring full compliance with UN/UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations, POPP, internal controls, and corporate policies in all financial processes and transactions.
• Supporting effective financial oversight by reviewing and verifying supporting documents for payments, advances, settlements, and financial reporting for NIM/DIM projects.
• Assisting in processing financial transactions in Quantum, ensuring that vouchers, invoices, travel claims, entitlements, vendor and other payments are complete, accurate, matched, and compliant before posting.
• Maintaining strong internal control standards by ensuring proper documentation, correct chart of account coding, segregation of duties, and timely posting of transactions in Quantum.
• Following up with UN agencies, government partners, vendors, and service providers on outstanding payments, documentation, financial clarifications, and inter-agency transactions.
• Extracting, compiling, and analyzing financial data from Quantum, corporate dashboards, and other sources for audits, management meetings, programme reviews, and reporting.
• Assisting in finance spot checks and reviewing internal controls, financial records, and reports for accuracy and compliance, preparing verification reports detailing findings and recommendations.
• Maintaining and updating the consolidated asset register. 1
• Performing any other tasks assigned by the Finance Specialist, Finance Associate, and Finance Assistant. Additionally, the intern will support the organization of meetings, workshops, and events, assist with travel administration, maintain proper filing systems, provide routine administrative support, and assist with office services as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or be in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent). Candidates who have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) must start the internship within one year of graduation. No prior work experience is required for this internship position, making it an excellent opportunity for students to gain practical experience in the field of finance and administration within an international organization.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should be an enrolled student in a degree programme or have completed four years of full-time studies at a university in the field of Social Sciences, with a priority for Finance and Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, or other related disciplines. This educational background is essential to ensure that the intern has the foundational knowledge necessary to perform the financial tasks required in this role.

Experience:
No prior experience is required for this internship position, making it suitable for students or recent graduates looking to gain practical experience in finance and administration within the UNDP framework. This role is particularly beneficial for those who are eager to learn and develop their skills in a professional setting.

Languages:
Fluency in Portuguese is mandatory, along with a good working knowledge of English. These language skills are essential for effective communication within the organization and with external partners, ensuring that the intern can fully engage in the tasks and responsibilities assigned to them.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and interns receive a monthly stipend paid in local currency. The position is designed to provide valuable experience and exposure to UNDP’s operations, and as an equal opportunity employer, UNDP encourages applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds. The organization is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel can thrive and benefit from career opportunities. Interns are expected to adhere to UNDP's standards and principles, including a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and discrimination.