UNICEF Malawi
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, Dedication
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 UNSCDF 2024-2028 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.
How can you make a difference?
As a Strategic Business Partner and Deputy for the Head of the Office, you will be instrumental in leading UNICEF Malawi’s mission to deliver impactful results for children across the office’s operational business areas. In this position, you will drive change, provide risk-informed, solution-orientated analysis, strategic advice and services that support critical programme and management decisions.
Key responsibilities of Strategic Operations:
- Lead by example and support the Head of Office in operational oversight.
- Act as Officer in Charge in the absence of the Head of Office, ensuring business continuity in the overall management of the office.
- Oversee, manage and guide the core operational teams, including in budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and logistics management, information and communications technology, safety and security and risk and compliance.
- As a member of the Country and Senior Management Teams, represent organizational risk, governance systems and policies perspective in management discussions, championing results-based management practices to drive effective decision-making.
- Anticipate and address business needs and challenges in the Country Programme and operations with innovative, cost-effective solutions to ensure value for money.
- Provide critical inputs to the CPD, CPMP, AMP processes and support results-based management and value-for-money principles.
- Lead external and internal audit preparedness and reviews, managing responses to audit observations and ensure implementation of recommendations.
- Leverage effective use of technology for achieving results and programme accountabilities,. emphasizing the fundamentals of ICT and innovation management, information security and controls.
- Guide supply and logistics strategies and interventions to meet programmatic needs efficiently, ensuring procurement practices support the value-for-money principle. Provide advisory support on supply chain management to government, national systems and partners.
- Lead UNICEF’s inputs for Common Back Office and Business Operations Strategy as part of UN inter-agency collaboration.
- Leverage governance structures, systems, and tools to regularly report on risk and risk-mitigation and operational achievements.
- Oversee administrative and facility management with a specific focus on inclusive accessibility, eco- sustainability and common premises.
- Oversee business transactions processed by GSSC from a perspective of efficiency, performance, risk management and fraud prevention.
- Promote and lead simplification and efficiency across systems and processes, where applicable.
As Deputy Representative Operations, you will champion the following five pillars across all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, Valuing Partners. These pillars will guide the operations strategy to drive organizational excellence, accountability, and sustainable results for UNICEF Malawi’s mission.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
Deputy Representative Operations Level 4 JD.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in one of the following areas is required: Business management; Financial management; Accounting; Public Finance; and related operations function (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project management, etc.) or a full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Comptable) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.
- Work Experience:A minimum of 8 years of professional experience, at the national and international level, is required, specifically in implementing strategic organizational initiatives in one or more operations management area including budget; financial management and reporting; facilities management; administration; supply and logistics management; information and communication technology.Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/ international NGOs would be an asset.
For country offices with a significant private sector fundraising operation, prior experience working with or in the private sector, and supporting private sector fundraising, is desirable.
Additional experience in one or more of the following areas, would be desired:
- Audit and investigations
- Safety and security
- Grant Management
- Enterprise Risk Management
Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company, or experience working in a developing country and/or humanitarian/ emergency context is an asset.
Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable.
Experience in Results Based Management is a requirement.
Strategic management experience in leading successful client-oriented teams is required.
Previous hands-on experience in strategic operations is required.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is required.
- Language Requirements:Fluency in English is required, coupled with excellent written skills.Desirables:
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
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
Apply Now
Advertised: 06 Nov 2024 South Africa Standard Time
Deadline: 20 Nov 2024 South Africa Standard Time