Mission and Objectives

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children — to save their lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfil their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone — and never gives up.

The UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2019–2023) is aligned with the Government of Malawi’s Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS III) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The programme supports the Government of Malawi to respect, protect, and fulfil children’s rights in line with international conventions and standards.

The programme is guided by the principles of children’s rights, equity, gender equality, inclusion, and resilience, and supports evidence-based, integrative, and innovative programming. Its 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, and active citizenship
• Communities: decentralized services and systems, community ownership, and social norms
• Programme effectiveness: monitoring and evaluation, HACT, innovation, social protection, social policy, and external communication

The programme is grounded in the principle of “leaving no child behind”, realizing rights for all children in Malawi.

Context

UNICEF Malawi seeks to identify and scale up sustainable approaches to funding, financing, and investing in children using both public and private sector capital to accelerate impact sustainably. A core component of this effort is the development and implementation of innovative financing mechanisms that address key deprivations affecting the wellbeing and rights of children in Malawi.

These initiatives target critical areas such as:

• Climate change
• Health systems strengthening
• Nutrition improvement
• Child protection
• Disaster risk reduction and inclusion

The focus is on the most vulnerable and marginalized children and adolescents. An international UN Volunteer (UNV) with relevant experience is required to support resource mobilization, particularly alternative financing mechanisms, international financial institutions, and non-traditional donors.

Task Description

Under the supervision of the Chief, Communication, Advocacy, and Partnerships, the UN Volunteer Partnerships Specialist will undertake the following responsibilities:

1. Resource Mobilization (New Fundraising Initiatives)

• Identify and integrate strategies to secure financing from all sectors, including non-traditional sources, into the Malawi Office Resource Mobilization Plan
• Collaborate with Programme Sections to implement financing mechanisms aligned with UNICEF Malawi priorities (e.g. climate financing, debt restructuring/swaps, South–South cooperation)
• Update and implement the Malawi Office private sector mapping and strategic action plan
• Explore and develop alternative fundraising initiatives, including for emergency situations

2. Partnership Development and Management

• Support the Partnerships Specialist to strengthen partnerships with international financial institutions
• Identify, develop, and manage high-value partnerships, providing up-to-date regional and global intelligence on non-traditional partnership opportunities
• Facilitate partnerships that leverage business expertise, supply chains, technology, and platforms to advance children’s rights

3. Internal Coordination and Capacity Building

• Strengthen Malawi Office capacity to identify and develop alternative financing opportunities
• Support rollout of UNICEF’s Business for Results (B4R) methodology
• Contribute to office-wide planning, reporting, and resource mobilization deliverables

4. Leveraging Global and Regional Partnerships

• Ensure alignment with UNICEF global guidelines and strategic priorities
• Support the National Officer Partnerships Specialist to maximize opportunities from regional and global offices

UN Volunteer Engagement

UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UNV mandate and promote volunteerism through activities such as:

• Building knowledge of volunteerism and participating in UNV events
• Engaging with local and traditional forms of volunteerism
• Submitting annual and end-of-assignment self-reports
• Contributing articles and field write-ups for UNV publications
• Supporting the UNV Buddy Programme
• Promoting online volunteering opportunities

Results / Expected Outputs

• Updated Resource Mobilization Action Plan (2026–2027) completed within two months
• Innovative Financing Strategy developed within four months
• Report on at least two new financing mechanisms shared within two months
• At least one new fundraising initiative targeting non-traditional donors launched by end of Q1 2026
• Formal engagement with at least three international financial institutions by 30 April 2026
• Identification and engagement of at least five new foundations within two months
• Quarterly updated list of high-value partnership opportunities
• Relationship management for at least three high-priority partnerships
• Guidance on partner visibility and recognition strategies
• Monthly coordination meetings on resource mobilization
• Contribution to quarterly planning and funding tracker reports
• Full rollout of Business for Results (B4R) by end of Q2 2026
• Collaboration with ESARO and PFP Geneva
• Maintenance of UNISON (Salesforce CRM) system
• Systematic application of Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspectives
• Final report on contributions to volunteerism for peace and development

Assignment Requirements

Relevant Experience

• Minimum of 7 years professional experience

Languages

• English: Fluent (Required)

Education

• Master’s degree in International Development, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field

Competencies and Values

• Professionalism
• Integrity
• Teamwork and Respect for Diversity
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Planning and Organizing
• Communication
• Flexibility
• Commitment to Volunteerism and UN Core Values

Skills and Experience

• At least 7 years’ experience in innovative finance or private sector partnerships
• Proven experience in innovative financing mechanisms
• Strong understanding of the Eastern and Southern Africa financing landscape
• Experience working with international and development finance institutions
• Corporate fundraising and foundation engagement experience (asset)
• Familiarity with the UN system (asset)
• Strong analytical, strategic, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure and minimal supervision
• Strong computer literacy

Areas of Expertise

• Economics and Finance
• Development Programmes
• Communication

• Identify and integrate strategies to secure financing from all sectors, including non-traditional sources, into the Malawi Office Resource Mobilization Plan
• Collaborate with Programme Sections to implement financing mechanisms aligned with UNICEF Malawi priorities (e.g. climate financing, debt restructuring/swaps, South–South cooperation)
• Update and implement the Malawi Office private sector mapping and strategic action plan
• Explore and develop alternative fundraising initiatives, including for emergency situations
• Support the Partnerships Specialist to strengthen partnerships with international financial institutions
• Identify, develop, and manage high-value partnerships, providing up-to-date regional and global intelligence on non-traditional partnership opportunities
• Facilitate partnerships that leverage business expertise, supply chains, technology, and platforms to advance children’s rights
• Strengthen Malawi Office capacity to identify and develop alternative financing opportunities
• Support rollout of UNICEF’s Business for Results (B4R) methodology
• Contribute to office-wide planning, reporting, and resource mobilization deliverables
• Ensure alignment with UNICEF global guidelines and strategic priorities
• Support the National Officer Partnerships Specialist to maximize opportunities from regional and global offices

• Innovative finance or private sector partnerships
• Innovative financing mechanisms
• Eastern and Southern Africa financing landscape
• International and development finance institutions
• Corporate fundraising and foundation engagement
• UN system familiarity
• Analytical, strategic, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure and minimal supervision
• Computer literacy

• Master’s degree in International Development, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field