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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a Future

How can you make a difference

UNICEF is seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking and committed professional to join its team as a People and Culture Officer. In this exciting role, you will support the implementation of the People and Culture Strategy (2026–2029) and deliver a people-centered workplan aimed at fostering an enabled, motivated and high-performing workforce. You will play a key role in enhancing the efficiency of people and culture processes, fostering a positive workplace culture and employee experience, advancing data-driven talent management, and positioning UNICEF as an employer of choice. The role also offers the opportunity to support multiple emergency response efforts, making a meaningful contribution to UNICEF’s mission for children.

The Malawi Country Office offers an exciting and rewarding opportunity to join our dynamic People and Culture (P&C) team. Under the guidance of the People and Culture Specialist, you will support the overall delivery of the P&C workplan and provide services through strong technical expertise and a client-focused approach.

In this role, you will play a pivotal part in delivering a broad range of generalist people and culture services, managing end-to-end employee lifecycle matters, providing timely, people-centered guidance, ensuring fair, practical and policy-compliant solutions and supporting emergency response. You will help drive efficiency across P&C processes, strengthen workplace culture and employee experience, champion change, promote talent and performance management, and advance agile, innovative, and best-fit practices. The role spans, but not limited to, business partnering, strategic P&C support, service delivery, learning and capacity development, and workforce analytics.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  People and Culture Officer Level 2.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

• • 1. • Education: Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in Human Resources Management, business management, international relations, psychology and any other related fields.
       • Work Experience: At least 2 years of relevant work experience in Human Resources, human resources management, workforce analytics, onboarding, staff engagement, staff experience, performance management, performance recognition, talent development, learning, career support, mental health, offboarding, project management and any other related fields.
       • Skills:
    2. Strong technical knowledge of human resources management principles and practices.
       Demonstrated ability to provide sound guidance and advisory support to staff as an HR business partner.
       Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify and assess issues, draw sound conclusions, and make practical recommendations.
       Ability to think critically, innovate, and apply creative problem-solving to a broad range of P&C issues.
       Ability to embrace and manage change effectively, including taking calculated risks when appropriate.
       Excellent communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports and deliver effective presentations.
       Strong interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build productive, collaborative, and healthy working relationships.
       High level of discretion, sound judgment, and maturity in handling confidential information and sensitive matters, including concerns and grievances.
       Strong professionalism, technical proficiency, and commitment to client service. 
       • Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• • 1. • Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
       • Background and/or familiarity with emergencies are considered as a strong asset.
       • Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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

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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.