Job Description

The Opportunity

Save the Children is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position of Innovation Specialist (Health) – Bundle Up! Nutrition for Small and Sick Newborns for the Malawi Country Office, based in Lilongwe. The position is a two-year contract and reports directly to the Innovations Manager, with matrix technical support from the Health Technical Advisor.

The Innovation Specialist will provide technical leadership in the implementation of the Bundle Up! Nutrition for Small and Sick Newborns innovation project at Kamuzu Central Hospital. The role holder will be responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on project activities while 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.

Working closely with healthcare workers, mothers and caregivers, the Ministry of Health, private sector partners, and other stakeholders, the Innovation Specialist will facilitate co-design processes, strengthen partnerships, coordinate innovation activities, and support the adoption and scale-up of tested solutions. The role also includes representing the project in national technical forums, supporting evidence generation, and ensuring high-quality project implementation in line with Save the Children’s Innovation Strategy and donor requirements.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder may be required to work outside the normal role profile and adjust working hours accordingly.

To be successful, you will bring/have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Design Strategy, Innovation, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Information Technology, or a related design discipline.
• Additional qualifications or certifications in Product Development, Product Management, or Health and Nutrition for newborn care will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing innovation projects.
• Experience managing innovation programmes, partnerships, or innovation incubators/accelerators within the public, private, or NGO sectors.
• Strong understanding of health, nutrition, and newborn care policies and practices in Malawi.
• Experience applying Human-Centred Design and facilitating innovation workshops.
• Experience managing projects, budgets, procurement processes, and partnerships.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, including working with government, private sector, and development partners.
• Excellent workshop facilitation, coaching, mentoring, and capacity-strengthening skills.
• Strong analytical, report writing, monitoring, evaluation, and documentation skills.
• Excellent communication skills in both English and Chichewa.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and digital collaboration tools such as Figma.
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced environments with multiple competing priorities.

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises and those in need of better healthcare, education and child protection. We campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise children’s rights and 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 fifth birthday.
• All children learn from a quality basic education.
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated.

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

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Qualified women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided throughout the recruitment process where required.

Application Information

Please attach your CV and cover letter with your application and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates may be contacted before the closing date. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

A copy of the full role profile can be found on the Save the Children careers website.

We need to keep children safe, so our selection process includes rigorous background checks as part of our commitment to protecting children from abuse.

Save the Children does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process. Any request for payment in connection with a job application should be treated as fraudulent and reported immediately.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Global Anti-Harassment Policy.