Innovation Specialist, P3, Lilongwe, Malawi, 364 days, Open to Non-Malawian nationals

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 107,793 USD and 141,147 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, empowerment…

UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2019-2023) is aligned with the Government of Malawi’s Growth and Development Strategy (MDGS III) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The programme supports the Government of Malawi to meet its commitment to respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights in line with international conventions and standards. The country programme is guided by the principles of children’s rights, equity, gender equality, inclusion and resilience, and supports evidence-based, integrative and innovative programming. The vision is that ‘all girls and boys in Malawi, especially the most disadvantaged and deprived, realize their rights’. The programme focuses on: early childhood (parenting, high-impact social services, early stimulation and learning), middle childhood and adolescence (learning, multi-sectoral services, active citizenship), communities (decentralized services and systems, community ownership, social norms), programme effectiveness (monitoring, evaluation, HACT, Innovation, Social Protection and Social Policy and External Communication. The programme is based on ‘leaving no child behind’, realizing ‘rights for all children in Malawi’.

Innovation as an important strategy to deliver results for children. In view of the current and emerging programming environment, MCO has committed to streamlining innovation to support ongoing UNICEF and Government efforts to strengthen national systems and improve results for children across the key social sectors. MCO is enhancing technology and non-technology-enabled programming, ranging from planning, deploying and providing quality assurance, to the assessment of Technology for Development (T4D) gaps, opportunities and scale-up strategies that may be required in support of the MCO Country Programme Document (CPD) priorities. New programming approaches, innovative financing, digital and product innovations are all core components that will drive programme results.

How can you make a difference?

The Malawi Country Office offers an exciting and rewarding career opportunity for you to join our dynamic Innovation team where you will be responsible for managing and coordinating the innovations portfolio including social innovation with adolescent/youth engagement, digital development, and technology innovation in the UNICEF Malawi Country Office. The incumbent will coordinate and provide ongoing technical support to programme teams in the design and implementation of their respective innovation initiatives for early childhood, school-age adolescents, Child-friendly, inclusive and resilient communities results , in coordination with the Office of Innovation Unit at NYHQ and the Regional Office where applicable.

In your role, you will report to the/be under the overall guidance and supervision of the Deputy Representative Programme

This job therefore presents a unique and significant opportunity for a qualified, vibrant, motivated and committed person to contribute to the overall achievement of transformative results for children with professional excellence and by delivering on the following key responsibility areas, but not limited to –

1. Strategy Development,
2. Technical support to Programme on:
   1. Youth innovation and social innovation
   2. Technology for development
   3. Capacity development
   4. Partnership and resource mobilization
   5. Knowledge Management

You are however encouraged to read the attached and detailed job description Job Description_TA P3 Innovation Specialist 15Aug22.pdf in order to view the full role and its requirements:

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, entrepreneurship, innovation, Information Technology, or other relevant disciplines.
• Training and/or familiarity with information systems and communication technologies.

Experience:

• At least five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in programme management
• Experience supporting government and/or non-governmental organization’s programming, including training and capacity building on social innovation as well as digital innovation in the context of Technology for Development (T4D) such as RapidPro, ODK, and others
• Proven experience in working with adolescents and/or on youth engagement programmes like U-Report, Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge, etc.
• A strong understanding of UNICEF’s mission and vision as well as its programmes through direct or indirect work experience with UNICEF would be an advantage
• Experience in project management and rolling out of large-scale innovation and T4D projects, especially in hard-to-reach areas in developing countries is highly desirable.

Technical knowledge and skills:

• Effective presenter including ability to adapt the message and visual aids for multiple audiences to deliver concise, impactful presentations.
• Knowledge of supply chain management and operations.
• Excellent analysis skills.
• Proven capacity to work with and lead collaborative teams across different locations and with different technical skills.
• Proven ability to manage relationships with partners, including government ministries, youth coalitions, universities, intellectual leaders, UN organizations, NGOs and the private sector.
• Aptitude to handle competing messages and priorities with multiple audiences.

Language:

• Fluency in English both strong verbal and written skills, is essential.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

The position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID).

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF.

UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

The vacancy announcement is open to all candidates – both internal and external candidates

UNICEF Malawi is seeking individuals who are motivated to make a real difference and serve the children of Malawi with resourcefulness, resilience, creativity, and professional excellence.