Organization Mission

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.

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’.

Context

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.

UNICEF in Malawi seeks to identify and scale up sustainable approaches to funding,
financing, and investing in children with both public and private sector capital, to sustainably accelerate impact for children. An increasingly core component of our efforts to maximize
sustainable revenue is through developing and implementing Innovative Financing mechanisms which will address core deprivations which impact the well-being and rights of
children in Malawi.

These initiatives will address critical issues such as climate change, health systems
strengthening, nutrition improvement, protection of children, disaster risk reduction and
inclusion, targeting the most vulnerable and marginalized children and adolescents.
An international UNV with the relevant experience is required to assist in this role of supporting resource mobilization with a focus on alternative mechanisms, and international financial institutions and non-traditional donors for UNICEF in Malawi.

Key Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Chief, Communication, Advocacy
and Partnerships (or her designated mandated representatives), the UN Volunteer
Partnerships Specialist will perform the following responsibilities, but not limited to:1. Resource Mobilization (new fundraising initiatives)
• Lead the process to update the Resource Mobilization Action Plan for the Malawi Office, ensuring the plan incorporates strategies to secure financing and funds from all sectors, including non-traditional sources.
• Develop and implement a strategy for the Malawi Office, which includes exploring mechanisms and models such as climate financing, debt restructuring/swaps, and enhanced south-south cooperation
• Explore and develop new fundraising initiatives to strengthen resource mobilization, including in emergency situations.2. Partnership Development and Management
• Strengthen partnerships, maintain effective relationships, and identify new opportunities with international financial institutions, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank, and other relevant organizations.
• Identify and pursue engagement opportunities with Foundations that have potential interest in supporting initiatives in Malawi.
• Lead the identification, development, and management of high-value partnerships for Malawi Office, providing up-to-date regional and global intelligence and knowledge to
the Senior Management team of the non-traditional partnership opportunities.
• Maintain an updated list of high-priority opportunities, focusing on those that deliver both financial and non-financial benefits to the Malawi Office.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for high-priority regional partnerships,
ensuring effective stewardship, and opportunity for renewal, and/or expansion of the partnership.3. Advocacy and non-financial partnerships
• Facilitate partnerships that leverage business expertise, supply chains, technology, and platforms to advance children’s rights.
• Work with the Communications team to design visibility and recognition plans for non-traditional partners.4. Internal Coordination and Capacity Building
• Work closely with all programme sections to ensure coherence and complementarity
in all resource mobilization strategies and actions.
• Contribute to office-wide planning, reporting, and resource mobilization deliverables as required.

5. Leveraging global and regional partnerships
• Ensure alignment with UNICEF global guidelines and strategic priorities.
• Lead the roll-out and institutionalization of the Business for Results (B4R) methodology across the Malawi Office.
• Promote knowledge sharing and document lessons learned to strengthen office-wide
practices.
• Collaborate with ESARO and PFP Geneva to maximize partnership outcomes.

6. Internal Coordination and Capacity Building
• Ensure coherence and complementarity in all resource mobilization strategies.
• Contribute to office-wide planning, reporting, and resource mobilization deliverables
as required

Results/expected outputs
As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his
functions, including:

• Completion of an updated Resource Mobilization Action Plan (2026 / 2027), which includes actionable strategies to secure financing and funds from all sectors, including non-traditional and South-South Cooperation within two months of appointment.
• Development and completion of an Innovative Financing Strategy within 4 months of
appointment.
• A report on at least two new mechanisms or models explored to be shared to Chief CAP and SMT within two months of appointment.
• At least one new fundraising initiative targeting non-traditional donors and emergency
situations designed and rolled out by end of Q1 2026.
• Formal engagement with at least three international financial institutions established or renewed (e.g. AfDB, World Bank) by 30 April 2026.
• Identify and initiate contact with at least five new Foundations aligned with Malawi Office priorities by February 2026.
• Maintain and update a prioritized list of high-value partnership opportunities quarterly, starting December 2025.
• Relationship Management and Stewardship: Serve as primary relationship manager for at least three high-priority regional partnerships and complete annual partnership reviews by Sept 2026.
• Provide guidance to Communication Officer(s) on how to develop visibility and recognition plans for non-traditional partners by January 2026.
• Ensure alignment of resource mobilization strategies through monthly coordination meetings within first month of appointment
Contribute to quarterly office-wide planning and funding tracker including presentations for Country Management Team
• Business for Results (B4R) Rollout: Lead the institutionalization of B4R methodology across all programme Sections teams, with full rollout completed by end of Q2 2026
• Collaborate with ESARO and PFP Geneva on partnership opportunities, particularly non-traditional opportunities. Ensure that UNISON – a customized Salesforce Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system designed for UNICEF which provides comprehensive support for partnership management – is updated and maintained.
• Development and review of proposal

Required Skills and Experience

• At least 7 years of professional experience at national, regional, or international levels in one or more of the following areas is required: public or private sector partnerships, innovative finance, impact investing, or related fields.
• Experience in innovative finance, with a solid understanding of the innovative finance landscape in Eastern and Southern Africa and usage of models such as climate financing, debt restructuring/swaps is highly desirable.
• Experience with international financial institutions and development finance institutions is highly desired.
• Experience in working with companies/corporate fundraising, and foundations is considered an asset.
• Familiarity with the UN system and UNICEF”s mission is considered an asset.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills are required.
• Excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting skills are required.
•Excellent interpersonal skills: culturally and socially sensitive, able to work inclusively
and collaboratively with a range of partners is required: including community members,
senior level representation at international institutions and government and government.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment is
required; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national
personnel.
• Solid overall computer literacy is required, including proficiency in various MS Office
applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Core Competencies

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF;
technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and
rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply
good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially
in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and
ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities
and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage
information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily
activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue
political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s
interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or
unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority.

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational
boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective
partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability
to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of
gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and
men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide
guidance or training to colleagues.

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay
abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work
environment.

Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to
manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish
priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure,
with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication
skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct
presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend
recommendations: ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national
staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very
diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of
different target groups

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote
conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in
austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of
operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as
necessary.

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes
solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards UNICEF’s
mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living Conditions

Malawi, located in southeast Africa and bordered by Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania, is
a landlocked country with an estimated 21.66 million people (2024) and more than eight native ethnic groups. The official languages are Chichewa and English, spoken by over half the population. Despite economic and structural reforms, Malawi remains one of the world’s
poorest countries, with an economy heavily reliant on agriculture, employing nearly 80% of its
people and vulnerable to external shocks. Politically, it is more stable than in previous years.

Volunteers can expect warm weather from November to April, often accompanied by heavy
equatorial rains, particularly in March. Malawi is generally peaceful, but crime – mainly
opportunistic – does occur. UNICEF ensures residential security compliance per UNDSS
standards. When travelling by car, volunteers should keep doors locked and windows closed
due to the risk of carjacking and be alert for road obstructions. Public transport is basic, often
overcrowded, and roads are frequently in poor condition, requiring caution.

Conservative, professional dress is vital, helping reduce unwanted attention. Housing is
typically, in free-standing houses or gated complexes, with upfront costs for rent and deposits.
Power cuts and water shortages are common, though some homes have generators. The cost of living is reasonable, and mobile phone connectivity is good in cities, with WhatsApp widely used. Although the number of doctors is low, healthcare is provided by skilled local and expat doctors in cities. Pharmacies are generally well stocked, but malaria precautions are essential. Living in Malawi requires cultural awareness, flexibility, and resilience to handle physical and environmental challenges