Innovation Specialist – Fixed Term, Lilongwe, Malawi

About the role

The Innovation Specialist will lead and mainstream innovation and digital technology‑enabled programming across UNICEF Malawi’s country programme. Reporting to senior management, the role provides technical leadership for innovation planning, design, implementation, monitoring and documentation.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate programme‑wide innovation and digital transformation priorities.
• Advise government counterparts on child‑centred digital transformation, responsible AI governance and technology policy implementation.
• Support testing, scale‑up and institutionalisation of innovation products and technology‑enabled solutions.
• Strengthen results tracking, evidence use and knowledge management.
• Build capacity of staff and partners in innovation and digital impact.
• Develop sustainable financing approaches for scaling promising solutions.
• Foster partnerships with government, UN agencies, NGOs, academia, private sector and technology actors.

Required profile

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Innovation and Technology Policy, Public Policy, Business Administration, Digital Transformation, Information Technology, International Relations or a related field.
• Relevant certification in innovation, technology, AI governance or sustainable financing is an advantage.
• Proven experience in leading innovation or digital transformation initiatives in development or humanitarian contexts.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape digital innovation for children in Malawi.
• Professional development within a global UN agency.
• Competitive fixed‑term contract with benefits aligned to UN standards.