Mission and objectives

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.

Task Description

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) • Identify and incorporate strategies to secure financing and funds from all sectors, including non-traditional sources into the Malawi Office Resource Mobilization Plan. • Work with Programme Sections to implement financing mechanisms that align to UNICEF Malawi priority programmatic goals such as climate financing, debt restructuring/swaps, and enhanced south-south cooperation. • Update and implement the Malawi Office private sector mapping and strategic action plan. • Explore and develop alternative fundraising initiatives to strengthen resource mobilization, including in emergency situations. Partnership Development and Management • Support the Partnerships Specialist to strengthen partnerships and identify new opportunities with international financial institutions. • Support the identification, development, and management of high-value partnerships for Malawi Office, providing up-to-date regional and global intelligence and knowledge of non-traditional partnership opportunities. • Facilitate partnerships that leverage business expertise, supply chains, technology, and platforms to advance children’s rights. 2. Internal Coordination and Capacity Building • Support the Partnerships team to strengthen the capacity of the Malawi Office in respect of identifying and developing opportunities with alternative financing and funding mechanisms. • Support the Partnerships team in the rollout of UNICEF’s Business For Results methodology. • Contribute to office-wide planning, reporting, and resource mobilization deliverables as required. 3. Leveraging global and regional partnerships • Ensure alignment with UNICEF global guidelines and strategic priorities. • Support the NOC Partnerships Specialist to maximize partnership opportunities which may present from UNICEF’s regional and global offices. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. 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 within two months of appointment. • 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 within two months of appointment. • 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[BS2.1] - 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 proposals. Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed.

Competencies and values

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 and remarks

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