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Overview

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Abbreviations

PROPOSAL IN PRACTICE

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Executive Summary

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Background

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Objectives & Expected Outcomes

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Activities

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Timeline

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UN Agency Project Team

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Value Proposition

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Budget

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Appendices

Objectives

• Objective 1: To construct 20 sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient schools that provide safe and conducive learning environments for 5,000 students within two years.

• Objective 2: To enhance access to quality education for vulnerable groups, including girls and children with disabilities, by reducing barriers such as unsafe learning conditions and long travel distances.

• Objective 3: To align the project’s implementation with Malawi’s National Education Sector Plan and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by ensuring all schools meet national standards for inclusivity and climate resilience.

1. S: Focus on constructing 20 schools
2. M: Targets 5,000 students
3. T: Two years

1. A: Based on project scope
2. R: Supports equitable education goals

1. R: Ties to national and global frameworks

Expected Outcomes

• Expected Outcome 1: Improved access to safe and quality education for children in rural communities.

• Expected Outcome 2: Increased school attendance and retention rates, particularly for girls and children with disabilities, through safer and more accessible learning environments.

• Expected Outcome 3: Strengthened local capacity for maintaining and replicating inclusive, climate-resilient infrastructure, with at least 50 community members trained.

Reference to positive impacts on target beneficiaries or communities

Reference to improved skills, processes or systems

Reference to enhanced capacity for sustainable results

KPIs and SDGs

Reference to quantitative measurement of Objective 1

• KPI 1: Number of schools constructed and operational (target: 20).

• KPI 2: Percentage increase in school enrollment and retention rates for vulnerable groups (target: 20%).

• KPI 3: Number of community members trained in infrastructure maintenance (target: 50).

The project will also contribute to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by fostering equitable access to education and promoting inclusive, sustainable learning environments.

Reference to measurable impact of Objective 2

Reference to capacity-building outcome

Reference to alignment with global development priorities

Note: This section can also be featured in the appendices instead of in the main body of the proposal.

For short proposals, this section can replace an Executive Summary. For longer proposals, it may be beneficial to include both.

This section provides an opportunity to include supporting documents that enhance the proposal’s clarity, credibility, and thoroughness. These may include:

• Detailed budgets
• CVs of key team members
• Technical assessments
• Partner testimonials
• Relevant case studies

If applicable, you may also wish to include a statement of work to outline specific project deliverables and timelines.

Background

Rural Malawi faces significant challenges in providing safe and adequate educational facilities. Many schools operate in overcrowded, poorly equipped, or unsafe environments, limiting students' ability to learn effectively and compromising their overall well-being. The lack of infrastructure disproportionately impacts vulnerable groups, such as girls and children with disabilities, who are often forced to travel long distances to attend school or study in environments that do not meet their specific needs. These barriers contribute to high dropout rates and poor academic performance, further entrenching cycles of poverty and inequality. Addressing these challenges is critical to fostering inclusive and equitable education. The proposed project aims to construct 20 sustainable, climate-resilient schools, creating safe and conducive learning environments for 5,000 students across multiple communities. This initiative supports Malawi’s National Education Sector Plan, which prioritizes the development of inclusive and sustainable school infrastructure to enhance access and quality. Furthermore, it contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), promoting equitable access to education and building a foundation for long-term social and economic development.  By working closely with local authorities, educators, and community leaders, the project seeks to ensure that the new schools meet the needs of all students, particularly those from marginalized groups. Through this partnership, UNOPS aims to address long-standing inequalities, fostering a brighter and more equitable future for children in Malawi.

Activities

Main Activities

• Conduct site assessments to identify suitable locations for 20 schools, prioritizing accessibility for vulnerable groups.
• Construct sustainable, climate-resilient schools using locally sourced materials and adhering to safety standards.
• Train 50 community members in infrastructure maintenance to ensure long-term sustainability.

Scope of Work

• In-scope: Site selection, construction, and community training.
• Out-of-scope: Curriculum development and teacher training (managed by the Ministry of Education).

Donor-Specific Priorities

• Gender Equality: Gender-sensitive designs with separate sanitation facilities.
• Visibility: Donor branding on schools and outreach materials.
• Value for Money: Local materials and labor reduce costs while supporting the community.

Activities are specific, measurable, and contribute to the project objectives

Clearly defines UNOPS’s responsibilities and manages expectations

Aligns with donor priorities such as inclusivity, visibility, and cost-effectiveness

Timeline

Project Kickoff: Team mobilization

Finalize Site Selection

Procurement Completed

Begin Construction: Foundations

Midway Progress Report

Final Inspections

Key Milestones

Initial Stakeholder Consultations

Conduct Risk Assessments

Approve Construction Plans

Ongoing Stakeholder Updates

Stakeholder Progress Review

Final Stakeholder Feedback

Stakeholder Activities

Secure Permits & Prep Sites

Resource Allocation Completed

Equipment Deployed

Delivery of Materials to Sites

Quality Assurance Checks

Final Logistics Review

Logistics & Resources

Initial Site Assessments

Site Preparation (Clearing, Leveling)

Foundation Work Begins

Structural Work: Walls & Roofing

Interior Finishing Work

Handover to Community

Construction Activities

Objectives & Expected Outcomes

The project aims to address the critical shortage of safe and adequate educational facilities in rural Malawi by achieving the following objectives and expected outcomes:

Objectives

Why UNOPS?

This section aims to highlight UNOPS’ unique qualifications, specialized expertise, and proven capacity to effectively implement the project and achieve impactful results. Emphasize that all UNOPS projects follow best practice and relevant UNOPS project management principles, which contribute to project quality and efficiency. Include sector-specific details and relevant examples to strengthen the message.

UN Agency Project Team

Budget

Proposed fees and examples based on our example

Project Management

Architectural Design

Technical Advisory

Monitoring & Evaluation

Construction Materials

Transportation & Logistics

$120,000

$90,000

$80,000

$40,000

330,000

$1,500,000

$300,000

1,800,000

2,130,000

Executive Summary

In rural Malawi, many communities face a critical shortage of safe and adequate educational infrastructure, forcing children to learn in overcrowded, poorly equipped, or unsafe environments. This lack of facilities disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including girls and children with disabilities, hindering their ability to access quality education and reach their full potential. To address this pressing issue, UNOPS proposes the construction of 20 sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient schools, which will provide safe and conducive learning environments for 5,000 students across multiple communities. The project aligns with Malawi’s National Education Sector Plan and contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by improving equitable access to education and fostering better learning outcomes. With strong support from local authorities, educators, and community leaders, and leveraging UNOPS’ proven expertise in delivering resilient infrastructure, this initiative will tackle long-standing inequalities in access to education. The proposal seeks partnership with the donor/organization to drive meaningful change and help create a brighter, more equitable future for Malawi.

Overview

Description of intervention

Relevant data

Stakeholders involved

Main conclusion