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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, Safety...

Malawi is gripped by a relentless cycle of climate-driven disasters that threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions. Over the past five years, the nation has endured five devastating cyclones— Jude (2025), Chido (2024), Freddy, Gombe (2023), and Ana (2022)—and severe El Niño-induced dry spells in 2024/25, plunging 5.7 million people across all 28 local councils into food insecurity. These crises, fueled by rapid population growth, environmental degradation, and deepening inequities, hit hardest at vulnerable groups: children, women, adolescents, older people, and people with disabilities, who face disproportionate losses and deprivations.

Recognizing these challenges, the Government of Malawi enacted the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Act 2023, a transformative step aligned with Malawi 2063 and the Sendai Framework’s “all-of society” approach. The Act establishes Disaster Risk Management Committees (DRMCs) at national, district, and local levels and mandates a regulated volunteer system to streamline coordination and protect vulnerable populations during crises. Yet, the promise of the DRM Act is hampered by persistent gaps. After-Action Reviews of Cyclone Freddy and the cholera outbreak exposed critical weaknesses in coordination, with stakeholders struggling to navigate legal frameworks, leading to disjointed and delayed responses. Many local DRMCs remain dormant or ad-hoc, unable to engage fully in prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery, while the existing Training Manual lags behind emerging DRM needs, lacking child-focused strategies and updated coordination structures. Informal volunteering, operating without regulation, risks inequitable relief distribution and abuse, particularly for children and women.

As part of the 2024–2028 UNICEF Malawi Country Programme, strengthening Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), local councils, and partners like the Malawi Red Cross Society is a priority, focusing on risk analysis, early warning systems, and child-centered disaster plans to empower timely, inclusive responses.

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) is responsible for national disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. UNICEF continues to focus on enhancing DoDMA’s institutional capacity by strengthening risk analysis tools, early warning systems, and disaster management plans to improve response effectiveness.

How can you make a difference? 

The consultancy aims to support the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in operationalizing the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Act 2023 by strengthening child-centred disaster risk management institutions at the national, district, and local levels. It will focus on conducting a capacity assessment of DRM stakeholders, updating the DRM training manual, and developing a facilitator guide with an emphasis on child rights and gender inclusion, as well as delivering training for master trainers to enhance coordination and resilience. These efforts will be undertaken in collaboration with DoDMA, UNICEF, the Malawi Red Cross Society, and other stakeholders to align with best practices in disaster risk reduction. The scope includes the following key activities, which will be conducted in close collaboration with DoDMA, UNICEF, the Malawi Red Cross Society, and other stakeholders.

1.      Capacity Assessment of DRM Stakeholders

Conduct a capacity assessment of DRM stakeholders (national, district, and local DRMCs) through an online survey and interviews to identify gaps in knowledge, tools, and coordination alignment with the DRM Act 2023. Conduct a desk review of global, regional, and national emerging issues (e.g., climate change, public health emergencies, novel coordination approaches) that influence Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Malawi. Deliver a comprehensive report with recommendations to inform capacity-building strategies, reflecting best practices in disaster risk reduction.

2.      Review and update the DRM Manual and develop a Facilitator guide

Review existing DRM training materials to identify gaps and align content with best practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), with a focus on child rights, gender inclusion, and the 2023 Act’s coordination structures. Develop a standardized, comprehensive training manual and facilitator guide tailored for district disaster management teams, ensuring child-focused content and accessibility through translation into Chichewa and Chitumbuka.

3.      Training of Master Trainers

Design and deliver three-day training workshops for master trainers in three priority councils, equipping them with tools and methodologies to implement the child rights-focused training manual. The workshops will cover DRM cycles, child-sensitive and gender-inclusive planning, and UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children, culminating in DRMC activity plans to enhance resilience. Support follow- up monitoring to ensure effective implementation at the district level.

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

Academic qualification:

• An advanced university degree in Disaster Risk Management, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Environmental Studies, community development or a related field is required.

• Specialized training in disaster risk reduction or climate change is highly desirable.

Work experience:

• The assignment requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience, including at least 3 years focused on training needs assessments and the design of training programs, as outlined below:
• A minimum of 07 years of experience in disaster risk management (DRM), disaster risk reduction (DRR), or resilience-building initiatives, with a strong emphasis on institutional capacity strengthening, is mandatory.
• This should include at least 3 years of experience in conducting capacity assessments and in designing and delivering Training of Trainers (ToT) programs, preferably within the context of DRM or community resilience at both national and district levels.
• Prior experience working with government institutions, NGOs, or international organizations on disaster risk management is highly desirable.

Technical skills, knowledge and strength areas required:

• Expertise in child-centred DRM and gender-inclusive approaches, including familiarity with international frameworks like the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Proficiency in curriculum development, including designing training modules, facilitator guides, and participatory learning methodologies.
• Ability to integrate cross-cutting issues such as child protection, gender equality, and social inclusion into DRM training and institutional frameworks.
• Expertise in stakeholder engagement and coordination with government agencies, local communities, and international partners.
• Familiarity with Emergency programmes in Malawi or similar countries in the region is an advantage.

Language:

• • Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential.

Please refer to the attached full Terms of Reference  Terms of Reference_Emergency Management Training Manual.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:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Brief technical proposal (no longer than five pages) demonstrating the consultant’s understanding of the assignment and approach/methodology to the assignment
3. Financial proposal including a breakdown of their all-inclusive fees (including professional fees, travel, living cost, visa and other costs).  ANNEX I - Financial Proposal.xlsx Complete the attached form.
4. References details

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.