INNOVATION MANAGER

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT@ SAVE THE CHILDREN

POSITION: INNOVATION MANAGER

Location: Lilongwe

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JOB DESCRIPTION The OpportunitySave the Children is seeking a dynamic and experienced Innovations Manager to lead innovation and digital transformation across its Malawi portfolio, based in Lilongwe. This role is central to driving the design, testing, and scaling of high-impact, child-focused innovations that advance children’s rights and wellbeing.

Working closely with Senior Technical Advisors, Project Managers, and regional teams, the Innovations Manager will lead the implementation of the Country Office’s Innovation Strategy and oversee key innovation initiatives. The role will champion human-centred design, digital inclusion, and localisation, ensuring that children, young people, and communities are actively involved in shaping solutions that affect their lives.

The postholder will manage innovation pipelines from idea generation through to pilot testing and scale-up, ensuring strong project management, evidence generation, and learning. The role will also build and maintain strategic partnerships with donors, private sector actors, innovation hubs, and government stakeholders, positioning Save the Children Malawi as a leader in child-centred innovation.

This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking professional to drive transformative change and embed a culture of innovation across programmes.

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

To be successful, you will bring/have:

Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Information Technology, Management Information Systems, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, or a related field Professional certifications in product development, innovation, or related disciplines are an added advantage 5–7 years of experience leading innovation, digital, or technology-for-development initiatives Demonstrated experience in human-centred design (HCD), agile methodologies, and evidence-based programme design Proven experience managing multi-stakeholder projects, including budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation Strong facilitation, coaching, and capacity-building skills Experience designing and integrating innovation approaches across thematic programmes Excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities Strong communication and relationship management skills, with experience engaging partners, youth, and communities Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools such as Figma and Miro Familiarity with donor requirements and integrating innovation into proposal development Fluency in written and spoken English Strong commitment to Save the Children’s values and mission The OrganisationWe employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work in over 100 countries to support children affected by crises and those in need of better healthcare, education, and protection. We also advocate at the highest levels to advance 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 5th birthday All children learn from a quality basic education Violence against children is no longer tolerated We believe that great people make a great organisation, and our employees play a vital role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We offer a meaningful and rewarding career in a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to support the professional growth and success of all employees and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities.

Application Information:Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers.

We are committed to keeping children safe. Our selection process includes rigorous background checks to ensure the protection of children from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.

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