Online Volunteer Opportunity with UNDP in Development Finance and Financial Technology
Applicant criteria
- 18 - 60
- Both
Opportunity description
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is offering 3 online volunteer opportunities for 12 weeks to support the Alternative Finance Lab (AltFinLab) team in conducting research on the impact of blockchain-based digital payment solutions on public benefit and underserved or unbanked populations.
The research will focus on assessing how digital payment solutions contribute to financial inclusion, cost reduction, improved access to transfers and assistance, and stronger financial sustainability for projects, with particular attention to Europe and Central Asia and selected countries where UNDP is considering expanding these solutions.
The resulting research will help inform decisions by development finance institutions, impact investors, and UNDP country offices, while also contributing to the development of future investment frameworks and the acceleration of projects related to digital payments.
Benefits
- Fully remote volunteering.
- Direct collaboration with a team from the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub.
- Practical experience in development finance, financial inclusion, fintech, and blockchain.
- Development of research, analytical, and report-writing skills.
- Work on topics related to Impact Investing and Development Finance.
- Exposure to international research and evaluation frameworks such as IRIS+, CGAP, and DFI impact standards.
- Assignment duration: 12 weeks.
- Weekly commitment of 16 to 20 hours.
- Number of available positions: 3.
Duties & responsibilities
- Define the research scope and methodology in collaboration with the AltFinLab team.
- Gather academic sources, professional reports, and relevant UNDP program documents.
- Examine the impact of blockchain-based digital payment solutions in development programs.
- Analyze the investment readiness of pilot projects.
- Assess financial sustainability and cost efficiency for end beneficiaries.
- Examine the gap between technology performance indicators and development finance indicators.
- Review reports and studies from organizations such as the World Bank, CGAP, and GSMA.
- Prepare a concise and well-structured research report summarizing the findings and recommendations.
- Translate the findings into practical evidence that can be used by investors, development finance institutions, and UNDP decision-makers.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants should:
- Have strong research and analytical skills.
- Be able to synthesize academic and professional sources and produce clear, well-structured reports.
- Preferably have a background in:
- Development Finance
- Financial Inclusion
- FinTech Evaluation
- Blockchain for Development
- Knowledge of frameworks such as IRIS+, CGAP, or development finance institution impact measurement standards is considered a strong advantage.
- Previous experience with the United Nations, international organizations, or research institutions is an additional advantage.
- Postgraduate studies in Finance, Economics, International Development, or a related field are considered an advantage.
- Fluency in English is required.
- Fluency in Arabic or Spanish is considered an additional advantage.
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