About the Programme
The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will provide technical monitoring and evaluation support to the ending child marriage programme, under the oversight and technical leadership of the Chief Programme Planning and Monitoring. The role leads the monitoring, evaluation and learning work for one of Malawi's most ambitious child protection investments, supporting systems strengthening, real-time case monitoring, and evidence-driven action across 10 high-burden districts. As the programme pioneers innovations such as Mobile Response Teams, mass birth registration for legal identity, strengthened justice pathways, and large-scale community norm change, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will ensure that data from frontline actors, government MIS platforms and community feedback loops is transformed into actionable insights. This role offers a rare opportunity to shape national policy dialogue, strengthen government-owned data systems and directly influence decision-making that protects children and accelerates the end of child marriage.
About UNOPS
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices, the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
About UNICEF Malawi
UNICEF in Malawi works to advance the rights and wellbeing of children, particularly the most vulnerable. Children, representing almost half of the population, face persistent and overlapping vulnerabilities, with high rates of multidimensional poverty, chronic malnutrition, limited access to basic services, and significant regional and rural–urban disparities. The country faces recurring health emergencies, climate shocks, and economic challenges.
Job Specific Context
Child marriage remains a critical challenge in Malawi, with approximately 38% of girls marrying before age 18—one of the highest rates globally and the third highest in Eastern and Southern Africa. The practice is driven by entrenched poverty, harmful social norms, limited access to services, and weak, under-resourced child protection and case-management systems. UNICEF is negotiating a five-year, multi-country partnership with the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) with a focus on Ending Child Marriage (ECM). The programme in Malawi builds on existing government structures, aligns with the National Strategy to End Child Marriage (2024–2030), and complements ongoing capacities across social welfare, police, judiciary, and community mechanisms.
Institutional Framework & Recruitment Context
This position is being filled as a Partner Personnel role. UNOPS is supporting UNICEF Malawi as a UN partner, providing dedicated recruitment and administrative support for this position. The selected candidate will be recruited by UNICEF using UNOPS recruitment rules and regulations. Upon completion of the process, the incumbent will be engaged directly as personnel of UNICEF Malawi, not as UNOPS personnel. The selected professional will work under the effective management, day-to-day oversight, and supervision of a designated supervisor within UNICEF.
Role Purpose
The Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist will be responsible for designing, implementing and overseeing the full Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system for the Ending Child Marriage Programme. The role ensures that high-quality, timely and reliable data, from district social welfare offices, police, judiciary, community volunteers, the helpline, and health facilities, is consolidated, analysed and used to strengthen programme performance and accountability. The Specialist will enhance the functionality and interoperability of government data systems (including CPIMS, Police MIS, Judiciary CMS, CRVS and DHIS2), lead the development of digital data collection tools, and support evidence generation through routine monitoring, evaluations, and mixed-methods learning studies.
Key Functions / Results Expected
- Lead the development and implementation of the Programme MEL Framework
- Develop a comprehensive MEL strategy, aligned with the CIFF investment, UNICEF global guidance, and Government systems
- Finalize and operationalize programme indicators, Theory of Change (ToC), results framework, KPIs and monitoring tools
- Develop/update digital data collection tools, SOPs, data flow maps and quality standards
- Strengthen routine monitoring and government data systems
- Support integration of routine data across CPIMS, Police MIS, Judiciary CMS, CRVS, DHIS2, Education MIS
- Institutionalize real-time case alert mechanisms (e.g., RapidPro, helpline linkages to Mobile Response Teams)
- Conduct monthly district-level data reviews, validation, reconciliation and quality assurance checks
- Build capacity of district ECM Units, CPWs, MRTs, helpline staff, police, health and justice personnel on data quality and reporting
- Support data analysis, visualization, reporting and learning
- Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual analytics for programme decision-making and donor reporting
- Create user-friendly dashboards for district and national coordination platforms
- Lead learning reviews, after-action reviews, and adaptive programming sessions
- Generate technical briefs, learning notes, and evidence summaries for CO leadership, government and partners
- Manage baseline, midline and endline evaluations and surveys
- Coordinate the design and implementation of the mixed-method Midline and Endline Survey including TOR development, sampling, supervision, quality control and dissemination
- Oversee consultants, research firms and/or academic partners
- Ensure ethical and child-safe data collection standards
- Ensure strong community and survivor-driven feedback mechanisms
- Strengthen existing feedback loops (helpline 116, Community Child Protection Committees, CPWs, Children's Corners)
- Establish documentation systems for community feedback, referrals, and complaint resolution
- Ensure feedback informs programme adjustments and is linked to accountability to affected populations (AAP)
- Support knowledge management, communications and visibility
- Contribute to documentation of change stories, human interest pieces and results
- Work closely with the ECM Investment Communications Group
- Ensure visibility materials reflect real programme data and insights
- Provide technical support for partner MEL systems
- Support Government and NGOs to strengthen MEL capacity
- Review partner reports, provide feedback, and ensure alignment with programme MEL standards
- Support harmonization of community-level tools to reduce duplication and ensure consistency
- Contribute to risk analysis, mitigation, and programme quality assurance
- Support monitoring of institutional, programmatic, contextual and fiduciary risks, with focus on data-related risks (accuracy, confidentiality, legal age verification)
- Integrate MEL evidence into risk mitigation actions
Requirements
Skills Required
- Capacity Building
- Data Analysis
- Data Visualization
- Knowledge Management
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
- Program Development
- Research
- Stakeholder Engagement
Education Requirements
- Required: A Master's degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics, Social Sciences, Public Health, Development Studies, or another relevant field is required. A combination of a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
- Desired: Specialized training in digital data systems, data science, MIS, or advanced statistical analysis.
Experience Requirements
- Required: A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant work experience in M&E of multi-sectoral programmes, preferably in child protection, GBV, justice or social norms is required with a Bachelor's degree, OR a minimum of five (5) years of work experience in M&E of multi-sectoral programmes with a Master's degree. A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation, programme management, or results-based management in development or humanitarian settings is required with a Bachelor's degree, OR a minimum of five (5) years with a Master's degree. Experience developing or implementing M&E frameworks, indicators, data collection tools and reporting systems for multi-sectoral programmes. Demonstrated ability to conduct data analysis, prepare analytical reports, and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Experience working with government ministries, NGOs, or community-based partners, ideally in social sectors such as child protection, health, education, or gender equality. Proven experience in capacity building, including training and supporting staff or partners on data collection, monitoring, or reporting. Experience managing or supporting evaluations, assessments or surveys, including coordination with external consultants or research firms. Experience producing high-quality analytical reports for donors and government. Strong understanding of ethical data collection, safeguarding principles, and working with sensitive or confidential information.
- Desired: Experience in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of multi-sectoral programs, preferably in child protection, gender-based violence (GBV), justice, or social norms. Demonstrated experience with government information management systems (CPIMS, DHIS2, Police MIS, CRVS). Experience managing large datasets, real-time monitoring, or digital data platforms (ODK, Kobo, RapidPro). Experience in evaluation design and management. Experience in capacity building of government staff. Experience working in Malawi or similar contexts.
Language Requirements
Additional Information
UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind. Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process. UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct.
How to Apply
To apply for this job please visit https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Monitoring-and-Evaluation-Specialist/3260