International or National Consultancy: Development of the Education Management Information System (EMIS) Governance Framework (Open to both Malawian and Non-Malawian Nationals)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Empowerment...  Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) are essential tools for the effective governance and management of education systems. They provide a structured approach to collecting, processing, analyzing, and disseminating data to improve decision-making, planning, monitoring, and evaluation in the education sector. A well-functioning EMIS supports transparency, accountability, and the efficient allocation of resources, which are crucial for achieving national and global education goals, including those outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all (UNESCO, 2018).   Despite the growing efforts to strengthen data-driven decision-making in Malawi’s education sector, the current Education Management Information System (EMIS) faces several challenges that hinder its full potential. While the sector has established or is establishing subsystems like Higher Education Management Information Systems (HEMIS), Teacher Management Information Systems (TEMIS), EMIS for secondary schools and electronic continuous Professional Development (e-CPD) module, which provide a foundation for data collection and management, these platforms remain fragmented and lack the necessary integration to ensure seamless, timely, and accurate data flow. The reliance on manual processes and traditional approaches further compounds these challenges, leading to delays and inaccuracies in data reporting. These limitations affect all levels of education management, from national policy development to resource allocation and student performance monitoring at local and school levels. This fragmentation also reflects the broader digital landscape in Malawi, where sectoral systems often operate in silos. Recognizing this, the Government of Malawi adopted the Digital Transformation Strategy (2023–2027), which promotes integrated, interoperable digital systems across ministries. The EMIS Governance Framework thus contributes to the Malawi’s national digital vision of building inclusive, efficient digital public infrastructure…”

How can you make a difference?  The international/national consultant will jointly work closely with the Directorates of Education Planning and (particularly the EMIS unit), and the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) section to provide technical expertise in the development of an EMIS governance framework. He/She will undertake the activities as outlined in the attached Terms of Reference (TOR).

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

Please refer to the attached full Terms of Reference  Terms of Reference_EMIS Governance Framework.pdf for more details on the consultancy and requirements.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).   

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.

HOW TO APPLY...

Interested consultants should provide the following:

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.