Comprehensive Mapping of the Youth Ecosystem in Malawi

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malawi Country Office is procuring a Comprehensive Mapping of the Youth Ecosystem in Malawi to inform UNDP and partner youth programming. Malawi has one of the youngest populations in Africa with strong youth-focused development priorities under the Malawi 2063 vision. The mapping will systematically catalogue actors, programmes, financing flows, policy frameworks, infrastructure and gaps in the youth ecosystem covering education, employment, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, health, mental health and emerging digital opportunities. Outputs will inform UNDP Malawi Youth Strategy refresh and joint donor planning.

Inception meeting and methodology agreement. Desk review of existing youth ecosystem studies, policies and programmes in Malawi. Stakeholder mapping across government, civil society, private sector, donors, youth-led organisations, education and research institutions. Primary data collection through key informant interviews, focus groups with youth, online surveys and field visits to selected districts. Analysis of ecosystem strengths, gaps and opportunities by thematic area. Development of an interactive mapping output (database or dashboard). Validation workshops with stakeholders. Final ecosystem report and policy/programmatic recommendations.

Consultancy firm or research institution with demonstrated experience in youth research, ecosystem mapping or related work in Malawi or comparable African contexts. Strong mixed-methods research capability. Local knowledge of Malawi or established Malawi partnerships. Fluent English; Chichewa working knowledge an advantage. UNDP Quantum portal account required for proposal submission.

UNDP standard RFP evaluation: technical proposal (firm experience, team, methodology, workplan), financial proposal. Combined scoring with technical weight typically 70%; award to highest combined score.