Nissily Mushani

   Nissily Mushani Social Scientist   Contact   Address Kisumu, Nyanza, 254 Phone - E-mail -LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/nissily-mushani-b WWW Bold Profile   Skills   Program impact assessment Demographic analysis modeling Project coordination Strategic partnership development Comprehensive systematic reviews Community engagement Performance assessment Results evaluation Policy evaluation Effective training facilitation Strategic decision-making Monitoring and evaluation Research design   Languages     English Full Professional   Swahili Professional Working   I am a social scientist with over twelve years of experience in development economics, population dynamics, and applied research across sub-Saharan Africa. My expertise spans demographic dividend analysis, family planning, youth and adolescence, gender and development, rural livelihoods, public sector and agricultural economics, public health, and humanitarian programming. I have led high-impact start-up initiatives, conducted rigorous policy analysis, and overseen the monitoring and evaluation of complex development programs. I bring a strong track record of translating evidence into action, informed by collaborations with leading institutions including the EU, USAID, UNFPA, UNICEF, ILO, DFID, and the Government of Malawi. Known for my reliability and organizational acumen, I thrive in dynamic, interdisciplinary environments. I am committed to advancing evidence-based development strategies and seek full-time opportunities that challenge me professionally while allowing me to contribute meaningfully to policy, research, and practice.   Work history     2022-02 - 2023-02   Research and Evaluation Specialist United Nations Volunteer (UNV), Lilongwe, Central I am actively involved in coordinating and establishing major research and evaluation objectives, priorities, and activities in the UNICEF Plan for Research, Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation (PRIME), consulting with all programs and relevant partners along the way, and regularly uploading these to the PRIME portal. Tracking and ensuring that a management response to the findings and recommendations of the evaluation is completed, recorded, uploaded, and followed up for implementation. I provided assistance in submitting all evaluations and research products to UNICEF ESARO and HQ through Evidence Information Systems Integration (EISI), along with comprehensive supporting documentation. Assist in high-quality research with ethical standards meeting UNICEF quality assurance for research and establishing platforms that could strengthen quality and compliance with ethical standards. Support the collection of information on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other key social development indicators (through document review and web searches). Help organize activities that prepare or update the Situation Analysis for program development by providing accurate insights into the country's gender-related social, political, and economic trends and how they affect current programs and projects. Support coordination with MCO and other UN agencies and public sector organizations to facilitate UNICEF programs' work on SDGs for children and young people. Based at UNICEF Malawi. I supported and provided quality assurances on the Final Evaluation of the Adolescent Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) Intervention in Mangochi, Salima, and Dedza Districts of Malawi, which included the development of the report, policy briefs, and the Management Response Plan Report. I have facilitated in-house training on gendered research and innovation. Managing grants. I was in charge of overseeing and assisting consultants hired for a variety of research and evaluation projects. I initiated and drafted Terms of Reference (TORs) on youth engagement in research and evaluation, provided technical support for gender integration in evaluations and research, and supported training and orientation for the public sector and parliamentarians. Drafted a guidance note on how sections and partners can engage young people in their research and evaluation activities. I supported the section's partnership with institutions of higher learning to strengthen the participation of young people in research and evaluation. I participated in the formulation and launch of the National Research Agenda for Malawi 2063: First 10-Year Implementation Plan (MIP- and its related Communications Plan. Provide input on the implementation modalities of the Child-Friendly Communities initiative in Malawi. Member of the UNICEF ECD Taskforce. Enhanced program effectiveness by conducting thorough evaluations and providing insightful feedback. I conducted in-depth data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement in program delivery. I have facilitated training sessions for team members on best practices in program evaluation methodologies.   2019-09 - 2020-08   Program Manager European Union Delegation to the Republic of Malawi, Lilongwe, Central Support the delegation's management at a strategic planning, programming, and advisory level for all pertinent planning, programming, and policy areas within this remit. Oversee the creation of gender-sensitive strategic programming documents, which include the Country Strategy, the National Indicative Programme for Malawi, and other related documents. Analyze and monitor socioeconomic developments at national, regional, and international levels affecting Malawi. Analyze the budgetary and financial situation in Malawi. Follow tasks relating to Aid Effectiveness and Development Finance under the government's lead. Collaborate with government departments, think tanks, and other agencies to continually monitor the economic policies in Malawi. Ensure efficient management and implementation of development cooperation in the areas of economic, trade, and private sector development and, as required, economic governance. Give visibility to assistance in the context of the community's external relations and provide colleagues with all relevant data and information on the development and situation of Malawi's economic policies. Contribute to the delegation's outreach by managing communication activities in the field of economics. I have issued regular reports and publications relating to the economic, fiscal, budgetary, labor market, fiscal, external accounts, and financial sectors of the economy. I implemented the European Economic Diplomacy Agenda, which included managing a facility to support business environment improvements affecting EU firms. I supported the EU-ECAMA national student debates. Managing grants and consultants. Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives. Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets. Engaged and worked alongside cross-functional stakeholders to manage strategic initiatives. Met with project stakeholders on a regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments. Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team. Conducted comprehensive program evaluations, identifying areas for improvement and recommending actionable solutions.   2013-12 - 2017-07   Policy and Advocacy Coordinator/ Knowledge Translation Officer AFIDEP, Lilongwe, Central The overall coordination of work in assigned programs/projects and assisting in creating knowledge products through gathering and analyzing data and executing research to feed into AFIDEP's evidence policy work, including Coordinated capacity building and advocacy programs. Contributing to proposal writing and the identification of new programs. I took the lead in planning, organizing, and facilitating workshops, training, and other events related to AFIDEP programs. Representing AFIDEP in local and international relevant meetings and development forums. Establish and maintain relationships with representatives of government and other key stakeholders in Malawi, including senior government and institutional officials and donors. I was responsible for the establishment and management of AFIDEP's Malawi office, working closely with the head office located in Nairobi, Kenya. Coordinated the programme on the integration of population, health, and environment. Coordinated the Field Scan on Education Sector Priorities and Initiatives to Improve Quality of Secondary Education in Malawi and Kenya (2016). Coordinated the Malawi Demographic Dividend Study -). I played a significant role in the establishment of the AFIDEP-Malawi office from 2013 to 2014. Led the implementation of work on Strengthening Capacity for data and Research Evidence Use in Health Sector Decision-Making (SECURE Health), a consortium Programme in Malawi -). I provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Health on health financing policy, the Ministry of Youth, and the National Youth Council of Malawi. Facilitated the establishment of the Parliamentary Caucus on Population and Development -). Led the implementation of the Strengthening Use of Research Evidence for Adolescent and Youth SRH (enSURE) programme in Malawi -). Provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development in finalizing the Action Plan for the Malawi National Population Policy and its related costing (2014). Provided technical assistance in revising the National Youth Friendly Health Services Standards (2015). Contributed to the research and development of the Malawi Youth Status Report 2015: Adolescent and Youth Situation Analysis. Facilitated in-country PRB Communication Workshops on Communicating Population, Health, and Environmental Linkages to Policymakers -). Facilitated coalition-building by identifying common goals among various partner organizations and fostering collaborative work environments. I evaluated the success of advocacy campaigns using data-driven metrics to guide future initiatives. Managed project timelines and budgets effectively while ensuring that all deliverables were met according to established deadlines. I supported grant-writing efforts by providing information on program outcomes related to advocacy activities. Contributed to the creation of policy briefs, position papers, and other materials for internal use and external distribution, and promoted the utilization of evidence among stakeholders. I provided logistical support for public events, which included securing venues, coordinating speakers, and managing event promotion.   2006-06 - 2013-12   Principal Economist Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development-Malawi, Lilongwe, Central I was involved in development programming and strategic planning. Core-specific functions included: Supervising evaluation studies related to different development programmes and providing quality assurance. Leading and conducting research: developing data collection tools, supervising data collection in the field, data analysis, report writing, and dissemination. Coordinating the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Nation Population Policy and the UNFPA programmes in Malawi. I provided technical guidance to other line ministries regarding the formulation and design of strategies and projects, making sure they align with the government's overall national development policy (MGDS). Desk officer for USAID-funded work on the Population and Development: Health Policy Project (HPP) and the Informing Decisionmakers to Act (IDEA) Project. Appraising, monitoring, and evaluating sector and national development projects and programmes. Analyzing and determining national development priorities. Supervised and coordinated 60 economists. I have organized events such as the annual commemoration of World Population Day, which has over 350 participants, and the launch of the State of World Population Report, which has over 250 participants, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and UNFPA. Supported 20+ MDAs and local councils in integrating population dynamics (e.g., employment, gender, HIV/AIDS, demographics, maternal and child health and nutrition, adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights, youth) in development planning. Led the production and national dissemination of the Resources for the Awareness of Population Impacts on Development (RAPID) for Malawi. Supported the production and dissemination of the IDEA video and a 24-page IDEA report, Why Population Matters to Malawi's Development: Managing Population Growth for Sustainable Development. Core team member in the drafting of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) II. I was responsible for coordinating sector working group consultations, collating data, drafting and finalizing the strategy, and ensuring its dissemination from 2009 to 2012. Led the production and dissemination of an advocacy video, “Malawi: Investing in Our Future Now,” with PRB and USAID. I was a core team member in the annual reviews of the MGDS and MDGs. Responsible for stakeholder consultation and data collation -). Coordinated the review and adoption of the 2013 National Population Policy. Coordinated the First Malawi Leaders Conference on Family Planning, Population, and Development with over 300 participants. Enhanced integration of population issues in national and district-level development plans. Coordinating the review of the International Conference on Population and Development Plan of Action +20 for Malawi. Coordinated the establishment of the Population and Development Technical Working Group. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address complex economic issues and drive impactful solutions. Supported thought-leadership topics to facilitate dialogue with policymakers and shape outcomes. Generated, analyzed and reported data to forecast market trends and explain economic phenomena. Evaluated the effectiveness of government policies by analyzing their impact on macroeconomic variables such as GDP, inflation, and unemployment rates.   Education     2023-01 - Current   Ph.D.: Development Studies Maseno University - Kenya Proposed research topic: The influence of cyclone adaptation strategies on household livelihood capitals in Malawi: a case study of Nsanje and Chikwawa districts -)   2009-08 - 2011-09   Master of Arts: Economic Policy Management University of Zambia - Zambia Research Paper: Millennium Development Goals and Public Expenditure in Malawi: An Empirical Analysis. Awarded the Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship   2001-09 - 2006-06   Bachelor of Arts: Social Studies University of Malawi, Chancellor College - Malawi   Additional Information   Member of the African Feminist Macroeconomic Academy., Ex-Board Chairperson of the National Youth Network on Climate Change-Malawi.   Freelance Consultancy Assignments   The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX); providing quality Implementation Research guidance. The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN); A Study on Nutritional Governance Index.   Honours And Awards   2025 Moving Minds Alliance Fellow. 2021 winner of the Ingenuity Fund.   Presentations   Keynote presenter at the National Symposium on Coordination of Adolescents and Youth SRHR and HIV AIDS programs in Malawi, 2017. Presented a paper at the Malawi 2016 Population and Development Conference.   Grants   Population Council, Principal Investigator, Surviving The Storm.   Publications   Ouma, C., & Mushani, N. (2024). Enhancing preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy. Mushani, N. and Doctor, H.V. (2014). Public expenditure and health status in the context of millennium development goals in Malawi.   Training   Africa Climate and Health Responders Course, Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, 09/01/24 - 10/31/24 Promoting a Feminist Approach to Delivery and Financing of Public Services in Africa, African Feminist Macroeconomic Academy, 2021   Projects   Malawi Demographic Dividend Study: Team Member responsible for providing technical leadership. National Assembly 2016 Guidelines for Evidence Use in decision-making.   Affiliations   Union of African Population studies .