🇹🇷 Islamic Finance and Impact Investing Research Intern 🕌 UNDP ICPSD Internship in Istanbul, Türkiye (Home Based) 💠

As the lead United Nations agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality, helping countries develop the policies, leadership skills, partnerships and institutional capabilities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. As outlined in the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026-2029, UNDP's work is guided by four strategic objectives that together define its contribution to human development: expanding prosperity for all, strengthening effective governance, safeguarding a healthy planet and building crisis resilience. These objectives are enabled by three accelerators that drive transformative impact across the portfolio: digital and AI innovation, gender equality and sustainable finance. Through this integrated approach, UNDP supports countries to deliver tangible improvements in people's lives and to advance sustainable development at scale.

UNDP, through its Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH), supports partners in promoting financing for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As an accelerator of the UNDP Strategic Plan, sustainable finance strengthens countries' ability to mobilize, align and deploy finance at scale for national priorities. UNDP supports international and country level policy reform as a catalyst for system wide change, stronger policy environments, better functioning markets and more coherent financing strategies for sustainable development. The SFH's work is delivered through three interconnected portfolios: Public Finance for the SDGs, Private Finance for the SDGs, and Global and Country Financing Policy Frameworks.

About the Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development

The Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) is one of UNDP's six Global Policy Centers. ICPSD supports governments, the private sector, and foundations to become transformative partners in sustainable development through applied research, policy advisory, advocacy, and the facilitation of public and private dialogue and partnerships. The Centre leads UNDP's global work on private sector and foundation engagement and provides technical support to UNDP Country Offices across all regions. ICPSD's work is structured around four interlinked thematic pillars: AI, digital transformation and skills development; SDG finance and private sector development; Islamic SDG finance; and crisis and resilience.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP. UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where it operates, fosters inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to its mission, and ensures equity and fairness in all its actions. Taking a leave no one behind approach means increasing representation of underserved populations, and people who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination, and all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The Purpose of This Internship

The purpose of this specific internship is to provide research, writing, and editing support on issues and knowledge products related to Islamic finance and impact investing. This role also involves supporting the publication of knowledge stories and best practices within these fields. The intern will contribute to designing and implementing initiatives, projects, or programmes, and prepare relevant communications materials like speeches, brochures, and social media content. Additionally, the intern will collaborate on the development and execution of online content and campaigns across various social media platforms. To achieve these goals, the intern is expected to possess excellent research, writing, and analytical skills, demonstrate strong communication abilities, and be capable of managing their workload with minimum supervision while working both independently and collaboratively. A high standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness, and professionalism in handling sensitive information is also essential.

Duties and Responsibilities

📚 Provide research, writing and editing support on issues and knowledge products related to Islamic finance and impact investing

📰 Support publishing knowledge stories and best practices on Islamic finance and impact investing

🧩 Contribute to designing and implementation of initiatives, projects, or programmes

🗂️ Provide administrative support on an as needed basis

📝 Prepare relevant communications materials (speeches, brochures, success stories, social media materials and similar)

📣 Collaborate on the development and execution of online content (images, infographics, videos, blogs and similar) and campaigns delivered across various social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others

✅ Other relevant tasks as deemed necessary by the supervisor

🗺️ Since you are looking at opportunities in Türkiye, here is another one locally: ESC Volunteering in 🇹🇷 Türkiye focused on Green Community Work and Youth Engagement → https://youthworkshub.org/21357

Competencies

🎯 Excellent research and writing skills as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills

⏱️ Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues while meeting the deadlines

🤝 Ability to listen and collaborate with a wide range of players, being able to work independently, being pro-active and taking initiative

👥 Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

🛡️ Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting their work and status

🔒 Demonstrates a high level of responsibility and professionalism in handling sensitive and confidential information with discretion and integrity

Who Can Apply

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements: be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master's programme, or higher); be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as a bachelor's degree or equivalent); have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation; or be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme.

Experience and Skills

📖 Experience in academic writing, research, and analysis on sustainable development and impact investing

💡 Knowledge of SDG financing and Islamic finance is an asset

🌐 Knowledge of the OIC countries is desirable

💻 Computer literate in standard software applications

🇺🇳 Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of the UN Charter

🌍 Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs

🕌 Previous experience on economics and finance research, preferably with a perspective on Islamic finance, is an asset

🚀 Previous experience on project designing and implementation is an asset

📱 Social media account management and content development skills are desirable

🔎 Interested in more hands-on research placements? Here is one worth a look: Gas Fermentation and Carbon Capture Research Internship in 🇧🇪 Belgium → https://youthworkshub.org/20449