Organisation: Save the Children

Position: Innovation Specialist (Health) – Bundle Up! Nutrition for Small and Sick Newborns

Location: Lilongwe, Malawi

Employment Type: Full-Time (Two-Year Contract)

Reports To: Innovations Manager

Technical Support: Health Technical Advisor (Matrix Reporting)

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged.

OVERVIEW

Save the Children is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates for the position of Innovation Specialist (Health) for the Bundle Up! Nutrition for Small and Sick Newborns project based in Lilongwe.

The successful candidate will provide technical leadership in implementing the project at Kamuzu Central Hospital by planning, coordinating, monitoring, and reporting project activities. The role focuses on applying Human-Centred Design (HCD) and Innovation Friendly Procurement approaches to identify, test, and scale innovative solutions that improve nutrition outcomes for small and sick newborns.

The Innovation Specialist will work closely with healthcare workers, mothers and caregivers, the Ministry of Health, private sector partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, facilitate innovation processes, and support the adoption of innovative healthcare solutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the implementation of the Bundle Up! Nutrition for Small and Sick Newborns innovation project.
• Plan, coordinate, monitor, and report project activities.
• Apply Human-Centred Design (HCD) and Innovation Friendly Procurement approaches.
• Facilitate co-design workshops with healthcare workers, mothers, caregivers, and partners.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with government, private sector, and development partners.
• Coordinate innovation activities and support the testing and scale-up of innovative solutions.
• Represent the project in national technical working groups and stakeholder forums.
• Support evidence generation, documentation, and knowledge sharing.
• Ensure project implementation complies with Save the Children's Innovation Strategy and donor requirements.
• Support emergency response activities when required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in:
• Design Strategy
• Innovation
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Business Information Technology
• Or a related design discipline.

Added Advantage

• Qualifications or certifications in:
• Product Development
• Product Management
• Health and Nutrition for Newborn Care.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing innovation projects.
• Experience managing innovation programmes, partnerships, or innovation incubators/accelerators.
• Strong understanding of health, nutrition, and newborn care policies and practices in Malawi.
• Experience applying Human-Centred Design (HCD).
• Experience managing projects, budgets, procurement processes, and partnerships.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership management skills.
• Experience working with government, private sector, and development partners.
• Excellent workshop facilitation, coaching, mentoring, and capacity-building skills.
• Strong analytical, monitoring, evaluation, and report writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills in both English and Chichewa.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and digital collaboration tools such as Figma.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT

Save the Children is committed to:

• Protecting children and safeguarding their rights.
• Promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion.
• Providing equal employment opportunities.
• Encouraging applications from qualified women and persons with disabilities.

The successful candidate may be required to work outside normal working hours during humanitarian emergencies.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Cover Letter.
• Details of current remuneration and salary expectations.

Applications should be submitted through the Save the Children Careers website:

hcri.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates may be contacted before the closing date.

Save the Children does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.