UNSGSA intern

I. BACKGROUND

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, and institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

II. INTERNSHIP OFFICE

Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has served as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA) since 2024. Previously, she served for 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.

The UNSGSA raises awareness and advocates for specific policies, strategies, and financial product innovations, all with a view to how inclusive financial systems can improve financial health, reduce poverty, and accelerate progress toward numerous development goals. The UNSGSA advances this advocacy through country visits, high-level meetings, speeches, and engagement with a wide range of leaders, including Governments, the UN, the G20, the private sector, standard-setting bodies, and international financial institutions.

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 Gates Foundation, the Better Than Cash Alliance, 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