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 socio-economic development. Evidence shows that quality childcare improves child development outcomes; enables women's participation in the workforce and gender equality; and contributes to productivity and economic growth.

There is 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) has partnered with the Government of Malawi and the Early Childhood Development Coalition to implement an initiative that aims to strengthen the national childcare system in the country. This is part of a multi-country childcare initiative involving 4 other countries: Togo, Gambia, Ghana, and Mozambique.

The childcare initiative has 4 programme components: (i) evidence generation, (ii) media campaign, (iii) policy dialogue, and (iv) development of a country action plan.

A Country Childcare Media Champion is required to implement the programme component of the childcare media campaign.

Type: Consultancy

Duration: 26th June 2026 COB

Overall Responsibility:

The overall responsibility of the Childcare Media Champion will be in facilitating media advocacy campaign to promote effective reporting and enhance awareness of the importance of childcare in Malawi.

Key Responsibilities:

• Actively identify media opportunities for media advocacy for childcare campaign dialogues and engage journalists and other communication professionals for media coverage of the activities
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media and industry to facilitate quality reporting and creating visibility of childcare in Malawi, in terms of policy, services and programmes
• Initiate and coordinate interviews and press engagements on childcare campaigns including bringing out the perspectives of stakeholders in the childcare eco-system (e.g., policymakers, policy implementors, childcare service providers, workforce, parents, community leadership, NGOs partners, etc.)
• Prepare press releases and press statements regarding key childcare issues and messages for childcare campaign activities
• Develop information and education communications materials for scheduled activities for childcare campaigns
• Coordinate press coverage of key events prior, during and after childcare national dialogues
• Coordinate media tours and communication events to document successful childcare activities for impact
• Monitor, analyze, and document media coverage of childcare issues and relevant media information from different media platforms at the country level
• Develop and implement a childcare media campaign action plan
• Participate in meetings, knowledge sharing platforms and have the responsibility to provide progress updates on the campaign including reporting

Working Modality:

The media champion will work in close collaboration with the Childcare Project Team, comprising of the Ministry Project Lead, the Malawi ECD Network and AfECN. The consultant will engage directly with the ECD Network on contract related issues.

Expected Deliverables:

• Childcare Media Campaign Action Plan
• 1 Press Kit
• 6 Press Releases, Press Statements or OpEds
• 4 radio programmes
• 4 Media Articles
• 1 Childcare documentary
• 4 social media blogs
• Information education and communication materials
• 1 event targeting media (press briefing or orientation session)

Application Submission Process:

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents for consideration:

• A detailed Technical Proposal outlining the proposed approach and methodology for the assignment
• A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Résumé demonstrating relevant qualifications and professional experience
• Evidence of experience in media campaigns, communication initiatives, and Early Childhood Development (ECD)-related work
• A detailed Financial Proposal/Budget indicating all anticipated costs associated with the consultancy

The technical proposal should not exceed eight (8) pages in length.

Email: ecdcmalawi@gmail.com

Deadline: 26th June 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.