Objective of the role

The Innovation Officer will support and coordinate the implementation of the Ignite Innovation Challenge and broader MWCO innovation initiatives, ensuring timely execution, sound financial management, strong reporting, and effective partnerships. The role focuses on engaging ecosystem actors, especially the private sector, to strengthen market access, value‑chain integration, and opportunities for smallholders in line with WFP Malawi’s innovation goals. Leveraging WFP’s brand, government relationships, private‑sector networks, and field presence, the officer will promote impactful and sustainable innovations that advance Zero Hunger and drive food systems transformation in Malawi. Responsibilities include identifying problem statements and market opportunities across production, aggregation, logistics, processing, finance, and nutrition. The officer will help source innovators and manage the full innovation programme cycle, from challenge design and selection to implementation, monitoring, learning, and delivery of events and capacity‑building activities. They will also support the scale‑up and institutionalization of promising solutions through strong partnerships and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the overall guidance and direction from Programme (Resilience) and Supply Chain (Food Systems), this cross‑functional role will work in close collaboration with both units to achieve its objectives. While the incumbent will directly report to the Head of Food Systems, day‑to‑day implementation and coordination will be carried out in very close partnership with Programme and Supply Chain. The Innovation Officer will facilitate and drive innovation within WFP Malawi’s food systems transformation agenda, supporting the sourcing, development, testing, and scaling of innovations aligned with the Ignite Food Systems Challenge priority areas, including access to finance,  food supply chain efficiency, market systems strengthening, climate‑resilient value chains, increase product quality, and  ultimately graduate from food insecurity through commercially viable pathways.

More specifically, the Innovation Officer will:

Drive New Opportunities

• Support development and execution of high-impact CO innovation strategy and roadmap aligned to the Country Strategic Plan, Malawi’s national food systems priorities, business goals and the Zero hunger Model
• Collaborate with CO and Field Office teams to develop new approaches and business models that leverage innovation to improve smallholder value chains, logistics, food systems, and resilience programming.
• Support promotion of the CO innovation agenda; influence and obtain support from cross-functional CO teams for successful execution of the agenda.
• Promote innovation as an enabler of smallholder commercialization, income growth, and graduation from hunger.

Build and Grow Innovation Capabilities

• Develop and maintain strong ties with all WFP CO cross-functional teams; educate and train teams on new solutions and innovations; drive innovation, presentations, and innovation sessions.
• Support WFP teams, cooperatives, SMEs, and innovators to design and implement solutions that improve product quality, reduce post‑harvest losses, and make farmers’ produce more competitive.
• Drive a culture of innovation and continuous learning informed by Zero Hunger Model lessons.
• Act as the Innovation champion for the WFP Malawi Office.
• Encourage colleagues to innovate and support the shift towards a thriving innovation culture that nurtures and promotes ideas from across the organization.
• Track and report on innovation metrics, programme, and business impact on a regular basis.

Champion Innovation

• Support the establishment of WFP Malawi as a recognized innovation leader in ESARO region to further enhance our brand, attract and retain talent.
• Support the identification of external assets and partners that may accelerate innovation and through partnerships including private sector partners

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Malawi’s private sector, including agribusinesses, off-takers, transporters, warehouses, financial and digital service providers, innovation hubs, and technology firms.
• Facilitate linkages between innovators and private-sector actors to promote sustainability, commercialization, and market uptake of promising solutions.
• Represent WFP at national innovation forums, Government-led platforms, industry associations, UN innovation working groups, and private sector roundtables.
• Support mapping of the Malawi innovation ecosystem and development of market intelligence briefs

Programme Management and Operational Support

• Lead end-to-end execution of the Ignite Innovation Challenge including sourcing, screening, selection, contracting, coaching, monitoring, and reporting.
• Prepare work plans, spending plans, and ensure implementation is aligned with project timelines and TDDs.
• Conduct monthly progress check-ins with innovators and prepare monthly reports on: implementation progress, fund expenditure, field missions, risks and mitigation, private sector engagements and learning and outcomes
• Support the scale-up of promising solutions through partnerships, evidence generation, and integration into WFP and Government systems
• Coordinate with Supply Chain, Programme, and Partnerships units to ensure innovation activities align with operational priorities and donor commitments.
• Any other duties as required

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Annual workplan developed, implemented, and reviewed
•  WFP Malawi IGNITE Innovation Challenge guidance developed/updated, disseminated, and put to use.
• WFP Malawi IGNITE Innovation Challenge footprint expanded including in rural and hard-to reach areas with increased resources and integrated/coordinated with other WFP and partner programmes.
• Private-sector partnerships established and functioning to support innovation pilots and scale-up.
• Private‑sector and SME partnerships established to expand markets for farmers and promote value addition.
• Joint annual workplan with relevant internal and external stakeholders developed, implemented, and reviewed.
• Strategic and implementation partnerships in Innovation established and strengthened   WFP represented in government and various coordination fora.
• Effective utilization of donor resources in the IGNITE Innovation Challenge Fund implementation and social protection systems strengthening.
• Clear learning products demonstrating how innovations contribute to the Zero Hunger Model.
• High-quality analytical reports, proposals, briefs, and presentations produced.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields: Business, Innovation, Design, Technology, International development, or another relevant technical field.
• Post graduate level training or certification in monitoring and evaluation, project planning and management, Innovation management or M&E will be an added advantage

Experience:

• At least 6 years of professional experience in innovation, entrepreneurship support, market systems development, private sector engagement, design thinking, or programme management.
• Demonstrated experience engaging the private sector, especially in agriculture, digital solutions, logistics, or financial inclusion.
• Ability to put forward truly creative ideas however crazy they might sound. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and inter-cultural communication.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others, build and maintain partnerships, innovate, and embraces change, think and act strategically, drive to achieve impactful results, manages ambiguity and complexity.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to prepare concise and well-written programme documents (e.g., proposals, reports, briefs, and presentations) in English
• Proficiency in computer programmes: e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Tableau
• Competencies: cognitive capacity, teamwork, action management, innovation, partnerships, and client orientation

Languages: Proficiency in English, oral and written (level c)

• Support development and execution of high-impact CO innovation strategy and roadmap aligned to the Country Strategic Plan, Malawi’s national food systems priorities, business goals and the Zero hunger Model
• Collaborate with CO and Field Office teams to develop new approaches and business models that leverage innovation to improve smallholder value chains, logistics, food systems, and resilience programming.
• Support promotion of the CO innovation agenda; influence and obtain support from cross-functional CO teams for successful execution of the agenda.
• Promote innovation as an enabler of smallholder commercialization, income growth, and graduation from hunger.
• Develop and maintain strong ties with all WFP CO cross-functional teams; educate and train teams on new solutions and innovations; drive innovation, presentations, and innovation sessions.
• Support WFP teams, cooperatives, SMEs, and innovators to design and implement solutions that improve product quality, reduce post‑harvest losses, and make farmers’ produce more competitive.
• Drive a culture of innovation and continuous learning informed by Zero Hunger Model lessons.
• Act as the Innovation champion for the WFP Malawi Office.
• Encourage colleagues to innovate and support the shift towards a thriving innovation culture that nurtures and promotes ideas from across the organization.
• Track and report on innovation metrics, programme, and business impact on a regular basis.
• Support the establishment of WFP Malawi as a recognized innovation leader in ESARO region to further enhance our brand, attract and retain talent.
• Support the identification of external assets and partners that may accelerate innovation and through partnerships including private sector partners
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Malawi’s private sector, including agribusinesses, off-takers, transporters, warehouses, financial and digital service providers, innovation hubs, and technology firms.
• Facilitate linkages between innovators and private-sector actors to promote sustainability, commercialization, and market uptake of promising solutions.
• Represent WFP at national innovation forums, Government-led platforms, industry associations, UN innovation working groups, and private sector roundtables.
• Support mapping of the Malawi innovation ecosystem and development of market intelligence briefs
• Lead end-to-end execution of the Ignite Innovation Challenge including sourcing, screening, selection, contracting, coaching, monitoring, and reporting.
• Prepare work plans, spending plans, and ensure implementation is aligned with project timelines and TDDs.
• Conduct monthly progress check-ins with innovators and prepare monthly reports on: implementation progress, fund expenditure, field missions, risks and mitigation, private sector engagements and learning and outcomes
• Support the scale-up of promising solutions through partnerships, evidence generation, and integratio

• Innovation management
• Supply chain management
• Partnership building
• Project management
• Data analysis and reporting
• Communication and presentation skills
• Capacity building
• Market analysis
• Financial management

• Experience in innovation, supply chain, or related field.
• Experience in project management and coordination.
• Experience in building and managing partnerships, particularly with the private sector.
• Familiarity with innovation challenges and ecosystem development.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Knowledge of food systems, agricultural value chains, and development challenges in Malawi is an asset.