Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
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.
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. The post collaborates across programme sections and works closely with the UNICEF Digital Impact Division, Centre of Excellences, and the Office of Innovation, where applicable.
Minimum 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.
- 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.
Desirable: experience scaling and institutionalising technology-enabled programmes (digital education, digital health); advising government counterparts on child-centred digital governance, responsible AI and technology policy frameworks; leading collaborative cross-functional teams; managing partnerships with government, academia, UN, NGOs and private sector; background with the UN, especially UNICEF, IFIs, and developing-country/international experience.
Deadline: 04 Sep 2026 South Africa Standard Time
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online via the UNICEF careers portal (Job no: 595221) using the 'Apply now' link. Deadline: 04 Sep 2026, 11:55 PM South Africa Standard Time. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment process.
https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/671/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=595221&lJobSourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us