OVERVIEW

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

Join UNICEF Malawi as Innovation Specialist, to lead and mainstream innovation and digital technology-enabled programming across the country programme. You will provide technical leadership and support to innovation planning and technology-enabled programme design, implementation, monitoring and documentation across programme sections and with partners. The role will coordinate programme wide innovation and digital transformation priorities; advise government counterparts on strengthening child-centred digital transformation, responsible artificial intelligence (AI) governance, and technology policy implementation systems; support the testing, scale-up, and institutionalization of innovation products and technology-enabled solutions; strengthen results tracking, evidence use and knowledge management; build staff and partner capacity in innovation and digital impact; support sustainable and innovative financing approaches for scaling promising solutions; and foster partnerships with government, UN, NGO, academia, private sector and technology actors.

Job No: 595221

Contract Type: Fixed Term Appointment

Level: P-3

Application Deadline: 4th September 2026

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Innovation and Technology Policy, Public Policy, Business Administration, Digital Transformation, Information Technology, International Relations, or another relevant discipline.
• Additional certification in Innovation, technology and/or AI governance, innovative and sustainable financing, or related fields is desirable.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in ICT management, business analysis, Programme management; monitoring and evaluation; innovation and digital impact; child-centered digital governance; digital health; digital education; training and capacity building; project management and large-scale roll-out; partnership management; innovative and/or sustainable financing or similar areas in a large international organization and/or corporation.
• Experience in Innovative/sustainable financing, resource mobilization and proposal/partnership development is desirable.

Skills:

• Partnership building, resource mobilization, and innovative/sustainable financing.
• Strong writing, communication, negotiation, influencing and cross-functional collaboration.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Experience in Innovative/sustainable financing, resource mobilization and proposal/partnership development.
• Experience in scaling and institutionalising technology-enabled programmes, including digital education, digital health, and other digital solutions within UNICEF programme areas.
• Experience advising government counterparts on developing and implementing child-centred digital governance, responsible AI, and technology policy frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead collaborative teams across sections and technical areas.
• Proven ability to manage partnerships with government, academia, UN, NGOs and private sector; background with the UN, especially UNICEF, IFIs, and developing-country/international experience.

UNICEF COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

1. Builds and maintains partnerships
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
3. Drive to achieve results for impact
4. Innovates and embraces change
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity
6. Thinks and acts strategically
7. Works collaboratively with others
8. Nurtures, leads and manages people

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this job, please visit: jobs.unicef.org