Innovation Specialist (Health) – Bundle Up! Nutrition for Small and Sick Newborns at Save the Children

The Opportunity

Save the Children is inviting applications from suitably qualified personnel to fill the position of  Innovation Specialist. As a key member, the Innovation Specialist will be responsible for providing technical support in the delivery of Save the Children’s Bundle Up! Nutrition for Small and Sick Newborns innovation project to be implemented at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe. Precisely, the Innovation Specialist will be responsible for planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of all the project activities following the prescribed phases of the innovation. The post holder will work closely with health care workers (nurses and clinicians) and mothers/caregivers at the Kamuzu Central Hospital with technical support from the Health Technical Advisor and the Innovations Manager to identify, develop and scale innovative solutions for improving nutrition for small and sick newborns at Kamuzu Central Hospital. The Innovation Specialist will lead engagement meetings at national level to facilitate adoption and scaling of the identified and tested solutions. An important component of the role is to plan and conduct an Innovation Friendly Procurement Process in line with donor requirements and engage with private sector partners to identify innovations for newborn nutrition (mentorship and workshops on required methods will be provided). Externally, the post holder will lead engagement meetings at national level with relevant government departments and other implementing partners and private companies to facilitate adoption and scaling of the identified and tested solutions

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

In order to be successful, you will bring/have: 

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree level in Design Strategy, Innovation, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Information Technology or any design related discipline.
• At least 5 years hands-on experience in delivering Innovation functions.
• Those with certifications in Product Development/ Management and experience in specialized knowledge and skills in Health and Nutrition for newborn care will have an added advantage.
• Previous demonstratable experience in implementing innovations.
• Experience running innovation incubators or accelerators for private, public, or NGO participants is highly desirable.
• Experience in project and partnerships management.
• Strong knowledge of nutrition and newborn policy and practices in Malawi and globe.
• Demonstrated experience of working with complex teams in different geographic locations
• Demonstrated experience of working in fast-moving and fluid professional environments with multiple competing deadlines and tasks.
• Willing to understand and undertake procurement principles, processes, and best practices, particularly in the context of innovation and humanitarian project.
• Excellent people management and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication skills in Chichewa and English, both oral and written.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft software: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook Express; Figma and other digital collaboration tools.
• Robust workshop facilitation skills and capacity to train, coach and mentor project staff as well as partners.

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5^th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

We believe in providing reasonable accommodations to support the professional growth and success of all employees. We thus encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities.

Method Of Application

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.  A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.