TERMS OF REFERENCE
CONSULTANCY ON THE CHILDCARE COUNTRY LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS
Type: Consultancy
Duration: 24th June 2026 COB
1. Background
Early Childhood Development (ECD) Coalition is a local membership Non-Governmental Organization in Malawi. It promotes provision of quality ECD services to children of Malawi.
Investing in childcare is fundamental to building human capital and advancing socioeconomic development. Evidence shows that quality childcare:
- Improves child development outcomes
- Enables women’s participation in the workforce and promotes gender equality
- Enhances family welfare through increased economic empowerment
- Contributes to productivity and overall economic growth
In this context, childcare refers to services that provide care for children-primarily aged 0-5 years-while parents or primary caregivers are unavailable, particularly before entry into pre-primary education. Effective childcare services ensure children’s safety, support early learning, and foster positive relationships with caregivers and peers, while enabling parents, especially women, to engage in productive activities. Childcare is delivered through diverse settings, including home-based care, childcare centres, community-based arrangements, and workplace-supported services.
Recognising the growing demand for accessible and quality childcare as a foundation for child development, women’s economic participation, and inclusive growth, the Africa Early Childhood Network (AfECN) is implementing a multi-country childcare initiative in Malawi, Mozambique, Togo, Ghana, and The Gambia. The initiative aims to strengthen national childcare systems through evidence generation, policy engagement, and action planning, through partnership with the national stakeholders
To support this effort, AfECN will engage a national consultant with expertise in Early Childhood Development (ECD) or related fields to conduct a comprehensive childcare landscape analysis, including stakeholder mapping.
2. Specific Objectives
The consultancy aims to:
- Generate comprehensive evidence on the status of childcare
- Identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities within the childcare system
- Inform evidence-based advocacy, policy dialogue, and planning for childcare
- Provide actionable recommendations to support the development of a national childcare action plan.
3. Scope of Work
Key Tasks
The consultant will:
3.1 Lead and manage the entire research process, including:
- Development of the research plan and methodology
- Design of data collection tools
- Securing ethical clearance (where required)
3.2. Conduct stakeholder consultations at key stages:
- Inception phase
- Data collection and validation phase
- Post-dialogue phase
3.3. Participate in project coordination meetings and provide regular progress updates
3.4. Conduct a comprehensive childcare landscape analysis, including stakeholder mapping
3.4. Prepare and present documentation of the National Dialogue, including:
- 4. Presentation of draft findings
- 5. Documentation of key discussions and recommendations
4. Revise and finalise the landscape report incorporating stakeholder feedback.
5. Support the translation of research findings into a national childcare action plan.
4. Key Research Focus Areas
The study will examine the following thematic areas:
(i) Stakeholder Analysis
- Map key actors within the childcare ecosystem
- Analyse roles, responsibilities, and levels of influence
(ii) Governance and Coordination
- Assess existing governance structures
- Examine mechanisms for multi-sectoral coordination
(iii) Types of Childcare Services
- Identify and categorise childcare models and programmes
- Analyse service providers and delivery modalities
(iv) Accessibility and Affordability
- Assess availability and geographic distribution of services
- Examine affordability, inclusivity, and participation levels
- Identify barriers to access
(v) Quality of Services
- Review existing standards and quality assurance systems
- Assess regulatory and supervision mechanisms
- Examine training and capacity of childcare providers.
(vi) Childcare Workforce
- Profile the childcare workforce across service types
- Analyse qualifications, competencies, and training systems
- Assess workforce development pathways
(vii) Policy and Regulatory Environment
- Review existing policies, legislation, and frameworks
- Assess adequacy of regulatory systems (e.g., licensing, standards)
- Identify policy gaps and areas for reform.
(vii) Childcare Financing
- Analyse financing models and funding mechanisms
- Assess adequacy, sustainability, and equity of financing.
5. Deliverables
The consultant is expected to produce the following outputs:
- Inception Report with validated research plan & data collection tools.
- Draft Landscape Research Report – with preliminary findings.
- Power point presentation of key research findings for National Dialogue
- Final Landscape Report with the key recommendations.
- Input into the Childcare Action Plan
6. Duration
The research will be undertaken over a period of 12 weeks
7. Management and Oversight
- The consultant will report to the Government Project Lead on technical and research matters.
- Oversight will be provided by a project team comprising:
- Ministry
- The Early Childhood Development Coalition (ECDC Malawi)
- AfECN
- An Advisory/Reference Group will provide additional technical guidance.
- Contractual and administrative matters will be managed through the ECDC Malawi, which will hold the consultancy contract.
8. Application submission processes
To apply for this opportunity, please submit your resume, technical bid and highlight your experience in survey or assessment in ECD sector in Malawi, detailed budget, the proposal must be less than 8 pages. In addition, you should have a Master degree in Child care or related field and provide your Curriculum Vitae.
All applications should be sent by 24th June 2026 at the following email address: ecdcmalawi@gmail.com
Post expires at 5:00pm on Wednesday June 24th, 2026