Information Communication Technology (ICT) Specialist at UNICEF

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

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. 

Aligned with UNICEF’s mission and strategic plan, the Malawi Country Office’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) team aims at providing and enhancing a continuous, robust, and well-supported ICT infrastructure for the office, while at the same time delivering reliable ICT support services to our clients. We focus on fostering innovative solutions, building strong partnerships, and providing timely, secure, and safe ICT services to end-users 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 team where you will be responsible for effective technical leadership for ICT systems management and administration in accordance with the UNICEF ICT policy and security guidelines ensuring compliance to corporate standards. Additionally, you will be working hand-in-hand with the Innovation section in supporting the office on digital transformation.

This position offers a unique opportunity for a qualified, motivated, and committed individual to profoundly impact and influence children through operational excellence. By excelling in this role, under the overall guidance and supervision of the Deputy Representative Operations, you will contribute to the overall achievement of transformative results for children by delivering on the following key responsibility areas, but not limited to:

1. 1. Lead and manage the ICT function and provide technical and operational guidance and support to enable the implementation of corporate ICT priorities, solutions, and services.
   2. Enhance collaboration and build strong internal and external relationships.
   3. Improve results delivery through building and strengthening relationships with counterparts, i.e., government, sister United Nations agencies, international nonprofit organizations (INGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
   4. Foster innovative solutions, promote creativity and innovative thinking to re-engineer work processes and make the best use of technology within and outside UNICEF.
   5. Provide guidance and technical support in the identification and deployment digital solutions for T4D and guide the review of technical solutions to ensure UNICEF standards and Technology Playbook are followed.
   6. Support capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies, capacity and knowledge within the programmes on digital development.  Train UNICEF staff, partners, government counterparts and other end users in digital development and technology innovation.

You are encouraged to download the detailed  Generic JD Information Communication Technology (ICT) Specialist Level 3.pdf in order to view the full role and its requirements.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

• An advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in one of the following fields is required: computer science, software engineering, information technology management, business administration or another relevant technical field.

*A first-level university degree in a relevant field combined with seven years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in information technology management and business operations in a large international organization and/or corporation is required.
• Experience in a UN organization is an asset.
• Experience in managing an ICT team is required.
• Experience with open sources, mobile and web-based technologies is required.
• Experience working in T4D/ICT4D programme design, service design, and field deployment/implementation in developing countries is a strong asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as a strong asset.
• Background and/or familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.

Technical knowledge and skills:

• Certification and/or proven skill in one or more of these several ICT technical competencies: ICT Project Management, Business Analytics, Business Relationship Management, Information Security, ICT4D Audit and Risk Management, Telecommunications, Networks Information Security and Software Engineering and Programming is required.
• Formal project management certification (Prince II, ITIL, etc.) is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience in working with Microsoft (including SharePoint) and middleware cloud platforms are desirable.
• Knowledge in carrying out market research, costing and acquisition of potential Infrastructure, Security and Communications solutions and / or components, recommending hardware and software. Assist in the writing of Terms of references for external vendors and in the recruitment of T4D consultants or coordinators are desirable.
• Knowledge to develop and implement processes, SLAs and operations procedures to ensure effective management and operations of UNICEF ICT Infrastructure, Security and Communications, including monitoring and compliance with such and reports to management on regular basis is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required, both strong verbal and written skills.

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: UNICEF Values

The 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

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and candidates from Latin America and Caribbean and Middle East and North Africa Regions are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Visa residence requirements: For National Officer (NO) positions, internal candidates eligible to legally reside and work in a country, independently of UNICEF appointment, are eligible to apply i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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.