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…

The UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2024-2028) works through a One-UN approach based on the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF) Strategic Priorities. 2024-2028).  All four strategic priorities of the UNSCDF2024-2028 hold significance to UNICEF and the priorities identified for children: i) Economic Development, ii) Governance, iii) Human Capital Development, and iv) Climate Change. UNICEF co-leads the further elaboration and results in developing the Human Capital Development strategic priority. The intent of the UNICEF CPD 2024-2028 is fully aligned with these priorities, which are also directly linked to the pillars of Malawi Vision 2063, and the Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP, 2030). To this extent, UNICEF’s strategy for the CPD includes Child Survival and Development (Health, Nutrition and WASH), Education, Learning and Child Protection, Social Policy (Social Protection and Public Finance for Children), Gender Equality, Inclusion and Innovation within a robust evidence-informed environment. These are focus areas under the Human Capital Development Enabler of the MIP (2030). The Country Programme envisages the progressive fulfilment of the rights to survival, development, education, protection and participation of all children, including adolescents, especially the most vulnerable and those at risk of being left behind, in an inclusive, resilient and protective environment. Besides Malawi’s 2063 vision and 2021–2030 implementation plan (MIP), the African Union’s Agenda 2063; UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, Gender Action Plan III, Innovation Strategy; and the SDGs. The country programme includes child survival and development, learning, skills development and protection, and social policy. All components are supported by the programme and operational effectiveness and efficiency imperatives. Risk-informed programming across the humanitarian and development nexus in all three outcome areas will strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance climate adaptation/mitigation and response, and increase the resilience capacity of institutions, communities and young people. Programming aligns with UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s Transformative Agenda.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) team aims at providing a continuous and well supported ICT infrastructure, while at the same time delivering reliable ICT support services, fostering innovations, building partnerships and providing efficient ICT services and solutions to end-users in a timely, secure and safe manner to strengthen programme and operational effectiveness and efficiency.

How can you make a difference?

The Malawi Country Office (MCO) offers an exciting and rewarding career opportunity for you to join our dynamic ICT Unit, where you will carry out broad ICT functions and enable the provision of ICT solutions and services to assist the delivery of results for children in Malawi. In your role, you will be under the overall guidance and supervision of the ICT Specialist.

This position 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 by delivering on the following key responsibility areas, but not limited to:

1. Enable continuous and stable operation of ICT infrastructure and services.
2. Provide help, support and assist with capacity building and knowledge management (operational support to end-users, Incidents or problems management, trainings development and coordination, capacity building and knowledge management initiatives to enhance end users’ competencies, initiatives to improve productivity, foster innovation).
3. Support operational and administrative tasks, including (monitoring of risks and threats to ICT environment or infrastructure, compliance with the regulatory requirements for telecommunications licenses and the use of specialized equipment like HF/VHF radios, high-gain antennae, satellite phones, VSATs, providing information on the systems for reports, reviews or audits.).
4. Support in the implementation of technology for development projects, internal digital transformation projects and the global enterprise projects.
5. Ensure compliance with the host government regulatory requirements vis-à-vis the Basic Cooperation Agreement (BCA), for data management, telecommunications licenses, use of specialized equipment, such as HF/VHF radios, satellite phones, VSATs, VOIP, drones, etc.

You are encouraged to download the detailed job description  MLW24003 – GLP – ICT Officer Level 2, Lilongwe, Malawi.docx in order to view the full role and its requirements.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Education:

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: computer science, telecommunication, software engineering, information technology management, business administration.
• Having MS certificates in the related areas is a strong asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience is required in information technology. management and business operations in a large international organization and/or corporation is required.
• Proven experience in LAN/WAN and WLAN operations is required.
• Proven server environment administration experience, especially in Microsoft environments is required.
• Experience with ICT services and emergency telecommunication is required.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as a strong asset.

Technical skills and Knowledge:

• Certification and/or proven understanding in one or more of these several ICT technical areas: ICT Project Management, Business Analytics, Information Security, ICT Audit and Risk Management, Telecommunications, Networks Information Security and Software Engineering and Programming is required.
• Proven knowledge of Microsoft office 365 online tools (SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Ms Forms, MS Team etc.) is required.
• Familiar with web conferencing and collaboration tools and operations (MS Team, WebEx, Team Viewer, Polycon equipment etc.) is required.
• Knowledge in cloud computing is a strong asset.
• Capacity in web applications development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, .NET, Power Apps, etc.) is an asset.

Language:

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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) 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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates as well as suitable persons living with  disability are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. 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 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/.

The vacancy announcement is open to internal UNICEF staff holding permanent, continuing and fixed term appointments as well as candidates from other UN agencies, including candidates holding Temporary Appointments and UNVs.

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

To effectively contribute to the delivery of results for the children of Malawi, the UNICEF Malawi Country Office operates within a dynamic and results-oriented setting. We foster an environment characterized by creativity, innovation, collaboration, teamwork, a commitment to professional growth, and a safe workspace. Consequently, we are actively searching for individuals who are driven to enact tangible change and dedicated to serving Malawi’s children with resourcefulness, resilience, agility, and a commitment to professional excellence.