UNICEF Call for Proposals: Strengthening M&E Systems for Child Health and Nutrition Programs

The UNICEF Call for Proposals 'Strengthening M&E Systems for Child Health and Nutrition Programs' is a landmark opportunity for organizations seeking to improve the effectiveness of health interventions through robust data systems. With a deadline of August 15, 2026, this call invites eligible entities to submit proposals that enhance monitoring and evaluation capacity across child health and nutrition initiatives. The call is specifically designed to address systemic weaknesses in data collection, analysis, and use, which have historically impeded progress towards reducing child mortality and malnutrition. By focusing on M&E, UNICEF aims to foster a culture of accountability and evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed. This initiative is particularly timely, given the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and protracted conflicts, all of which have strained health systems and widened inequalities. The call requires applicants to demonstrate a deep understanding of local contexts, as well as technical expertise in designing and implementing M&E frameworks. Eligible organizations include NGOs, academic institutions, and public health agencies with at least five years of relevant experience. The funding will support activities such as baseline assessments, indicator refinement, digital tool deployment, and training of health workers and community members. Importantly, the call emphasizes sustainability, expecting proposals to outline how M&E systems will be integrated into national health information systems post-project. This requires strong partnerships with ministries of health and other stakeholders. The overview of the call highlights UNICEF’s commitment to innovation and community participation. For instance, proposals that incorporate feedback mechanisms—such as community scorecards or citizen report cards—are highly encouraged. Additionally, the call underscores the importance of equity, requiring sex-disaggregated data and targeted analysis for marginalized groups. As such, applicants must carefully analyze their target populations and design M&E systems that capture disparities. The financial scope of the call is substantial, with grants expected to range from $500,000 to $2 million over a 24-month period. This funding is intended to cover staff, technology, training, and operational costs. However, organizations must demonstrate the ability to leverage additional resources, ensuring the project’s long-term viability. The call also requires strict compliance with UNICEF’s financial and reporting standards, including quarterly narrative and financial reports. As part of the overview, it is critical to note that UNICEF prioritizes partnerships: consortia that combine multiple expertise—such as digital health and community engagement—are welcome. Lead organizations must have a strong legal and financial standing, with audited financial statements for the past three years. The call will be evaluated through a multi-stage process, including a technical review and a financial viability assessment. Technical criteria include the clarity of the M&E framework, feasibility of the work plan, and capacity of the team. Proposals that integrate innovative methods such as GIS mapping or mobile data collection will receive higher scores. In summary, this call represents a significant investment in strengthening the backbone of health programs. Successful applicants will be those that not only present a technically sound M&E plan but also demonstrate a commitment to ethical data practices, community ownership, and policy influence. For organizations lacking in-house M&E expertise, the GSLI short courses in 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' provide foundational and advanced knowledge essential for proposal development and implementation. By leveraging such training, applicants can enhance their credibility and technical depth.

Strategic Overview

The UNICEF Call for Proposals 'Strengthening M&E Systems for Child Health and Nutrition Programs' is a landmark opportunity for organizations seeking to improve the effectiveness of health interventions through robust data systems. With a deadline of August 15, 2026, this call invites eligible entities to submit proposals that enhance monitoring and evaluation capacity across child health and nutrition initiatives. The call is specifically designed to address systemic weaknesses in data collection, analysis, and use, which have historically impeded progress towards reducing child mortality and malnutrition. By focusing on M&E, UNICEF aims to foster a culture of accountability and evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed. This initiative is particularly timely, given the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and protracted conflicts, all of which have strained health systems and widened inequalities. The call requires applicants to demonstrate a deep understanding of local contexts, as well as technical expertise in designing and implementing M&E frameworks. Eligible organizations include NGOs, academic institutions, and public health agencies with at least five years of relevant experience. The funding will support activities such as baseline assessments, indicator refinement, digital tool deployment, and training of health workers and community members. Importantly, the call emphasizes sustainability, expecting proposals to outline how M&E systems will be integrated into national health information systems post-project. This requires strong partnerships with ministries of health and other stakeholders. The overview of the call highlights UNICEF’s commitment to innovation and community participation. For instance, proposals that incorporate feedback mechanisms—such as community scorecards or citizen report cards—are highly encouraged. Additionally, the call underscores the importance of equity, requiring sex-disaggregated data and targeted analysis for marginalized groups. As such, applicants must carefully analyze their target populations and design M&E systems that capture disparities. The financial scope of the call is substantial, with grants expected to range from $500,000 to $2 million over a 24-month period. This funding is intended to cover staff, technology, training, and operational costs. However, organizations must demonstrate the ability to leverage additional resources, ensuring the project’s long-term viability. The call also requires strict compliance with UNICEF’s financial and reporting standards, including quarterly narrative and financial reports. As part of the overview, it is critical to note that UNICEF prioritizes partnerships: consortia that combine multiple expertise—such as digital health and community engagement—are welcome. Lead organizations must have a strong legal and financial standing, with audited financial statements for the past three years. The call will be evaluated through a multi-stage process, including a technical review and a financial viability assessment. Technical criteria include the clarity of the M&E framework, feasibility of the work plan, and capacity of the team. Proposals that integrate innovative methods such as GIS mapping or mobile data collection will receive higher scores. In summary, this call represents a significant investment in strengthening the backbone of health programs. Successful applicants will be those that not only present a technically sound M&E plan but also demonstrate a commitment to ethical data practices, community ownership, and policy influence. For organizations lacking in-house M&E expertise, the GSLI short courses in 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' provide foundational and advanced knowledge essential for proposal development and implementation. By leveraging such training, applicants can enhance their credibility and technical depth.

Who is it For?

This call is designed for legally registered non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academic and research institutions, and public health agencies operating in low- and middle-income countries where UNICEF has an active country program. Priority will be given to organizations with a demonstrated track record of implementing child health and nutrition interventions in challenging contexts, including humanitarian settings. Applicants must have a minimum of five years of operational experience in health systems strengthening, with at least three years specifically focused on M&E for health programs. The call targets entities that can operate at sub-national and community levels, ensuring that technical support reaches frontline health workers and local data managers. Organizations with existing partnerships with ministries of health or national statistics offices will receive preference, as this facilitates data integration and policy influence. Furthermore, groups that have previous experience with UNICEF's M&E frameworks or who have participated in multi-country health initiatives are particularly encouraged. Eligible applicants must have a sustainable funding base and demonstrate the ability to mobilize additional resources for scale-up. Small and medium-sized organizations are welcome, but they must show strong governance structures and financial management capacity. The call also extends to consortia that can combine technical M&E expertise with community engagement and digital innovation.

Priorities

UNICEF's global priorities for this investment center on four key areas: (1) Enhanced Data Quality and Use: Proposals must demonstrate how they will improve the accuracy, timeliness, and use of health and nutrition data for decision-making at all levels, from community to national. This includes integrating digital health information systems and promoting data literacy among health workers. (2) Accountability and Community Engagement: The donor expects M&E systems that incorporate feedback loops from beneficiaries, particularly caregivers and community health volunteers. Mechanisms such as community scorecards, citizen report cards, and participatory data collection are highly valued. (3) Equity-Focused Analysis: Proposals must address disparities in child health and nutrition outcomes, with a focus on reaching the most vulnerable populations—including those in remote rural areas, urban slums, and conflict zones. Investment in sex-disaggregated data and age-specific indicators is mandatory. (4) Sustainability and Systems Strengthening: UNICEF prioritizes M&E systems that are embedded within national health information systems and can be maintained with local resources. The donor expects a clear plan for handover to government entities after the project period. Key performance indicators include a minimum 20% reduction in data errors within two years, a 30% increase in routine use of M&E data for program adjustments, and at least 15% of targeted communities demonstrating improved accountability through feedback mechanisms.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements are comprehensive, spanning financial, spatial, and corporate legal audits. Financially, organizations must have an annual operating budget of at least $500,000 for the past two years and submit audited financial statements for the last three fiscal years. They must demonstrate the ability to manage advances of up to 30% of the total grant amount, with clear internal controls for cash management. Spatially, the proposal must focus on one or more countries where UNICEF operates, with a clear justification for the geographic selection based on need and feasibility. The applicant must have a registered office or presence in the target country or countries, and must comply with local tax and labor laws. Legally, the applicant must be a registered entity (NGO, foundation, university, or for-profit social enterprise) with a constitution or bylaws that allow engagement in health-related activities. The organization must not be subject to any sanctions lists (UN, EU, US) and must have a zero-tolerance policy towards fraud, corruption, and sexual exploitation. Additionally, the applicant must have a data protection policy compliant with UNICEF's data governance standards, including provisions for informed consent and anonymization. Current or former UNICEF staff members are not eligible to apply. Organizations that have previously received UNICEF funding must provide a performance report showing no major compliance issues. Consortia must nominate a lead partner who meets all criteria and submit a memorandum of understanding outlining the division of responsibilities.

Path to Success

To secure this UNICEF grant, applicants must follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI's specialized training to build capacity in key areas. Step 1: Conduct a Self-Assessment and Capacity Gap Analysis. Begin by evaluating your organization's current M&E capabilities, financial management systems, and proposal development expertise. Use the GSLI course 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' to train your team on modern M&E frameworks and UNICEF-specific indicators such as coverage, equity, and quality. Simultaneously, enroll in 'Writing Winning Proposals' to refine your narrative and budget presentation. Step 2: Engage in Stakeholder Mapping and Co-Design. Identify key partners, including national health ministries, local NGOs, and community-based organizations. Attend GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' course to learn effective stakeholder engagement and participatory planning methods. Together, draft a theory of change that aligns with UNICEF's priorities, ensuring that your M&E system strengthens data use at decision-making levels. Step 3: Develop a Technical Proposal With Strong M&E Design. Use GSLI's 'Public Health & Epidemiology' course to design robust data collection methods, including digital tools for real-time reporting. Your proposal should include a detailed M&E framework with baseline, mid-term, and end-term indicators, as well as a data quality assurance plan. Include a risk register and mitigation strategies, informed by GSLI's 'Grants Management' course that emphasizes fiduciary accountability. Step 4: Build a Sustainability and Exit Strategy. Demonstrate how your M&E system will be integrated into national systems post-funding. Take GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' to develop a sustainability plan that includes cost-sharing, revenue generation, and capacity building of local staff. Finally, submit a budget that reflects efficient use of resources, with at least 70% of funds directed to program activities. Throughout the process, leverage GSLI's alumni network for peer review and feedback. By the deadline, your proposal should showcase a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that directly addresses UNICEF's call objectives.

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Deadline: 2026-08-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal