OVERVIEW

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Malawi is inviting applications from qualified and experienced candidates for the position of Social Policy Specialist based in Lilongwe.

The successful candidate will provide technical guidance, operational support, and coordination to strengthen the Government of Malawi’s planning, financing, budgeting, and accountability of public financial resources to improve outcomes for children and vulnerable populations.

POSITION DETAILS

Organisation: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Position: Social Policy Specialist

Location: Lilongwe, Malawi

Contract Type: Fixed Contract

Advertised: 15 July 2026

Closing Date: 29 July 2026

ROLE SUMMARY

The Social Policy Specialist will lead work on Public Financial Management (PFM), decentralisation, child poverty coordination, advocacy, and analysis to promote equitable public investments in social sectors.

The role involves collaboration with government counterparts, development partners, and other stakeholders to support evidence-based social policy decisions and programme outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical guidance on public financial management, social sector financing, and budgeting processes.

• Strengthen transparency, accountability, and oversight of public finances at national and subnational levels.

• Produce evidence and analysis on social sector financing, child poverty, and service coverage.

• Support planning, budget preparation, and expenditure management with relevant government institutions.

• Coordinate with government partners, development organisations, and contractors to achieve programme results.

• Support decentralisation processes related to planning, allocation, transfer, and management of public resources.

• Develop analytical reports and policy recommendations to improve investments in social protection and other social sectors.

• Support project and budget management activities.

• Supervise and support team performance through effective management approaches.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s Degree or equivalent Advanced University Degree in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant field.

• Minimum of five (5) years’ relevant professional experience.

• Proven experience in Public Financial Management, including planning and budget preparation with government institutions.

• Knowledge and experience of Malawi’s National Social Protection system and social sector financing.

• Understanding of decentralisation processes and public resource management at national and local government levels.

• Experience in project and budget management.

• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret data and evidence for policy decisions.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure in challenging environments.

• Fluency in English is required.

ADDED ADVANTAGES

• Knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

• Previous experience with UNICEF or another UN agency.

• Experience working in developing countries or humanitarian contexts.

• Experience with Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) or Programme-Based Budgeting (PBB).

• Experience preparing costing models, investment cases, surveys, or evidence-generation activities.

• Knowledge of social protection and public finance reforms.

CORE COMPETENCIES

UNICEF seeks candidates who demonstrate:

• Building and maintaining partnerships.

• Ethical awareness and integrity.

• Results-driven approach.

• Innovation and adaptability.

• Strategic thinking.

• Ability to manage complexity.

• Collaboration and teamwork.

• Leadership and people management skills.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit their applications through the UNICEF recruitment portal:

UNICEF Careers Application Portal

Closing Date: 29 July 2026

UNICEF does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.