Michael Banda
Senior Education Specialist
Kano, Kano State,KN
Summary
Dynamic Senior Education and Early Childhood Development (ECD) professional with over 23 years of extensive experience in spearheading multisectoral ECD and education programs across Africa. Expertise in strategic leadership for policy formulation, systems strengthening, resource mobilization, and integrated programming across education, nutrition, health, child protection, and WASH sectors. Proven track record in building partnerships, engaging the private sector, and managing large-scale programs to drive improved child outcomes while reinforcing UNICEF's reputation as a global thought leader in ECD. Committed to fostering innovative solutions that enhance the well-being and development of children in diverse communities.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
18
18
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Senior Education Manager (P5)
UNICEF Nigeria
Kano, Kano State, Nigeria
10.2022 - Current
- Provides technical and strategic leadership for integrating ECD across health, nutrition, education, child protection, WASH, social protection, and climate resilience programmes.
- Supports state governments, including Kano, in scaling innovative digital parenting and early learning solutions.
- Advocates for community-led and financed ECD initiatives, ensuring cultural relevance and sustainability within local systems.
- Promotes faith- and community-based approaches to expand access to ECD services, including utilization of mosque and church infrastructures.
- Drives innovation and evidence-based learning focused on child participation in climate resilience and environmental initiatives.
- Fosters cross-sectoral collaboration within UNICEF to ensure children's early needs are met in safe, protective family environments.
- Specifically, provides leadership in planning, coordinating, and the supports Development of the 10-year Education Sector Plans for the States of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa.
- Supports designing and implementation of education programs from community ECD, Pre-Primary to basic and post-basic education using alternative and remote learning opportunities in FLN skills, transferable skills, digital skills, and skills to earn for adolescents and young people.
- Identifying and addressing safety and Cultural issues, especially for girls and Almajiri boys (Migrant Qur'anic Scholars) in childcare facilities. Completed the study on the Impact of Insecurity and Conflict on Education 2025.
- Deploying the SAFE SCHOOLS Initiative, adapted to local contexts to address all identified barriers to learning- both natural and man-made, focused on providing psychosocial support to learners, parents, and teachers.
- Leads Innovations on Climate Change Awareness and Literacy programmes in schools for all ages-from ECD to adolescents and young people. I coordinate the implementation of the 11million Climate Resilient Infrastructure Programme for Basic Services (CRIBS)
- Redesigns learning system to embed catch-up learning streams & and Non-Formal Education to address learning loss recovery.
- Strengthens and supports the role of communities and parents in Support to both school and home-based Learning from ECD to basic and post-basic.
- Contributes to fundraising for education (multisectoral) intervention-funding proposal development and timely reporting. Significant among them are the following funded proposals:
- EU Education and Youth Empowerment Project 2023-2027 (22million USD)
- FCDO- Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services – A joint Education, WASH and Health Programme 2024- 2027 (11million USD)
- FCDO- Girls Education Project II (2021-2023) 10 million USD
- Leads in Development of States Sitans and Strategies: Support the relevant State Governments of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina to develop State Development Strategies and Plans of Action for children based on up-to-date situation analysis, with attention to education financing, gender equality, and equity perspectives.
- Leads in Climate and other Education Innovations- For example, leads several Climate Change initiatives in the three most climate-affected states of Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina. Significant among them is the school-community Climate Change Compacts and the Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Social Services projects. Additionally, in 2021, developed an assessment tool that used the U Report portal to assess access to learning during the COVID 19 COVID-19-induced school Closure and now introducing Integrated-EMIS for Annual school census using the DHS2 software, Teacher Information Management (TIMS) and the interactive Nigeria Learning Passport-portal for all learning materials that support the national curriculum.
- Grants Management: Among other smaller grants, I oversaw grant management of UNICEF Nigeria's two largest Education grants- GEP3 funded by FCDO (109 million) and Educate A Child funded by EAA $30million, EU 22 million, and GPE 10 million (2020-2023). And currently managing the EU 22 million and FCDO 11 million Climate Change grants. This includes reports management to the donors and briefs to the government.
Girls Education Project Manager (P5)
UNICEF Nigeria
Kano, Kano State, Nigeria
12.2019 - Current
- Coordinated and managed the development and implementation of the Girls Education Programme (GEP3 2019-2023) across six GEP3-supported States in Northern Nigeria.
- Increased Enrollment and Retention, and closed the gender gap in Basic Education
- Enrollment rates increased by 6 4 percent in primary and survival rates to P5 improved by 29 percent
- GPI in primary improved from 0.73 to 0.97
- Scaled cash transfers (with early learning) – highly effective, ↑ enrolment.
- Leveraged partnerships (communities, women & adolescents) → , transformational shifts in social norms from ECD to role of Girls vis-à-vis Education
- Adopted flexible and innovative approaches → resilience to shocks
- Implemented a holistic gender-sensitive approach (MHM, life skills, SRHR) → retain girls in school
- Early Marriages decreased in focus states by 29% (comparing MICS 2011, 2016 and 2021)
- Improved Teacher Pedagogical skills
- Scale RANA as a cost-effective ($8/child) model to address the learning crisis
- Strengthened teacher development model (40$ per teacher for RANA training +materials)
- Improved Governance to strengthen Girls Education
- Design comprehensive programs that meet holistic needs
- Plan & and budget for supplies to match demand (infrastructure & teachers)
- Partner with SBMCs/CBMCs for sustainable change at school and community levels
- Cost-saving and cost-effectiveness → high value for money
- Government capacity to scale exists in the six states' → sustainability plans to be adequately financed.
- OiC- CFO Kano Field Office: Provide the management oversight and leadership role for the KFO team as 1st OiC Kano Field Office, and whenever called upon to do so, for example, when the CFO is on RR, mission, or on leave. As OiC- I have been:
- Leading and guiding a team of professional and support staff, overseeing the implementation of UNICEF Kano FO-supported programmes using appropriate strategies and interventions relevant to the State and Country Programme (Chairs weekly Programme Meetings).
- Ensuring effective and proper use of human and material resources, working closely with the Government and other partners to ensure smooth and efficient execution of UNICEF-supported programme activities (Chairs weekly KFO management meetings).
- Coordinating inter-sectoral programme activities to contribute to the achievement of programme objectives- e.g., on the plight of the Almajiri Children with social policy and child protection.
Chief of Early Childhood Development (P4)
UNICEF Rwanda
Rwanda, Kigali
01.2015 - 12.2019
- Led the strategic design, implementation, and management of UNICEF's ECD programme, enhancing quality and equity of ECD services nationwide.
- Authored and implemented the Rwanda ECD Strategy Note 2018–2023, aligning with national priorities and UNICEF's Strategic Plan.
- Spearheaded major resource mobilization efforts, securing over $37 million (EKN $27M, IKEA $10M) for integrated ECD programming.
- Mobilized an additional $750,000 through private fundraising (Ready for School Rwanda) in partnership with high-net-worth individuals.
- Advanced private sector partnerships, including with SORWATHE Tea Company and the National Agricultural Export Board, integrating ECD in the tea sector.
- Co-led development of the National SBCC Strategy for Integrated ECD, Nutrition, and WASH (2018–2024).
- Oversaw inclusion of ECD indicators in the Rwanda DHS (2014–15) — first country in ESAR to integrate ECD-MICS indicators.
- Managed development of key national frameworks:
- National ECD Policy (2016) — in collaboration with Aga Khan University
- National Parenting Curriculum (2019) — with Cambridge Group
- Championed faith-based ECD models, expanding access through religious networks and community platforms.
- Provided regional technical support to Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Uganda in ECD policy and strategy development.
Education Specialist – ECD, Policy, Planning & M&E
UNICEF Malawi
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Led revision of the National ECD Policy, broadening its scope from early learning to holistic child development.
- Developed and launched the National ECD Advocacy Strategy “Mera Mpoyamba” (Plant Early for Better Yield).
- Promoted play-based learning and culturally relevant pedagogies within community-based childcare centres.
- Supported the establishment of community-managed ECD centres integrating health, nutrition, and early learning services.
- Strengthened national ECD monitoring and reporting systems aligned with results-based management principles.
Education Specialist – ECD & Child-Friendly Schools / Girls' Education
UNICEF Zambia
01.2005 - 01.2011
- Led formulation of National ECD Policy Framework and National ECD Strategy, integrating education, nutrition, health, and protection.
- Developed the National ECD M&E Framework, Caregivers Training Manual, and Minimum Standards for ECD Centres.
- Supported creation of the National ECD Forum and development of National Play & Learning Kits using local materials.
- Influenced education reforms to introduce transition management from pre-school to Grade 1.
- Advanced girls' education initiatives through evidence-based advocacy and community engagement.
Education Life-Skills for Adolescents Officer
UNICEF Zambia
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Designed and implemented life-skills education programs addressing adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, and gender issues.
- Supported integration of life skills into national education curricula through multisectoral coordination.
- Mapped the Life-skills Education Framework for Zambia- as a basis for introducing Life-skills Education in the country.
- Developed Life-skills Education Readers for learners and teachers' guides in primary and secondary schools.
- Introduced Life-skills Education into pre-service through Teacher Training Institutions.
- Introduced the Life-skills assessment framework for learners in the national examination system.
- Developed a Life-skills communication and advocacy strategy – with key partnerships in government institutions of learning, civil society, faith-based institutions and communities.
National Programs Coordinator
ChildFund International – Zambia
01.1999 - 01.2003
- Managed national child development programs that emphasize early learning, child protection, and community empowerment.
- Built capacity of partner NGOs for programme implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
- Developed an organizational education strategic plan for five years.
- Developed annualized work plans for educational interventions with an equity focus.
- Built capacities of district teams to conduct area/district-based appraisals on the situation of children and women.
- Built capacities of district managers to develop district/area-based M&E frameworks for monitoring results for children and women.
Education
Master's Degree - Sociology of Education, Education
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia 07.1998 - 04.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Education
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia 02.1993 - 07.2008
Skills
Collaborative team player
Strategic thinking
Develops and sustains partnerships
Embraces innovation
Leads and develops teams
Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
Results-oriented mindset
Navigates ambiguity and complexity
Affiliations
- Member, Africa Early Childhood Network (AfECN)
- Member, UNICEF ESAR ECD Technical Network
- Contributor, Global Partnership for Education (GPE) – ECD Working Group
References
- Rahama, Rihood Mohammed Farah, Chief of Field Office-KANO, rmohammed@unicef.org, +234 9062822022, UNICEF Nigeria, Professional Referees
- Euphrates Efosi, Wose, Senior Education Advisor, ewose@unicef.org, +1(917)238-5192, UNICEF New York, Professional Referees
- Tuesday Walima, Kalusa, Senior Lecturer, chamakalusa@yahoo.co.uk, +260986261916, University of Eswatini, Academic Referees
- Henry, Sichingabula, Associate Professor, +260 (211) 250871, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia, Academic Referees
- Ted, Mally, Director and Chief of Staff, +19176698562, UNICEF, Professional Referees
- Ibrahim, Sesay, Chief of Child Protection, isesay@unicef.org, +2340294603037, UNICEF, Professional Referees
- Jane, Bevan, Chief WASH, jbevan@unicef.org, +234 810 065 7647, UNICEF Nigeria, Professional Referees
Qualification
- Master's Degree, Sociology of Education
- Degree, Education
Selected Publications
- Rwanda ECD Strategy Note (2018–2023), UNICEF Rwanda
- National Parenting Curriculum (2019), Government of Rwanda
- National ECD Policy (2016), Rwanda
- National ECD Advocacy Strategy 'Mera Mpoyamba' (2013), Malawi
- National Minimum Standards for ECD Centres (2009), Zambia
Awards and Recognition
UNICEF Staff of the Year Recognition Award, Exemplary Performance, 2006., UNICEF ESAR Award for Innovation in Community-Based ECD Delivery – 2018, Certificate of Merit for Leadership in Integrated ECD Programming – UNICEF Rwanda, 2019
Personal Information
Nationality: Zambian
Awards
- UNICEF Staff of the Year Recognition Award, 2006, Exemplary Performance
- UNICEF ESAR Award for Innovation in Community-Based ECD Delivery, 2018
- Certificate of Merit for Leadership in Integrated ECD Programming, 2019, UNICEF Rwanda
Timeline
Senior Education Manager (P5)
UNICEF Nigeria
10.2022 - Current
Girls Education Project Manager (P5)
UNICEF Nigeria
12.2019 - Current
Chief of Early Childhood Development (P4)
UNICEF Rwanda
01.2015 - 12.2019
Education Specialist – ECD, Policy, Planning & M&E
UNICEF Malawi
01.2011 - 01.2015
Education Specialist – ECD & Child-Friendly Schools / Girls' Education
UNICEF Zambia
01.2005 - 01.2011
Education Life-Skills for Adolescents Officer
UNICEF Zambia
01.2003 - 01.2005
National Programs Coordinator
ChildFund International – Zambia
01.1999 - 01.2003
Master's Degree - Sociology of Education, Education
University of Zambia
07.1998 - 04.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Education
University of Zambia
02.1993 - 07.2008