1. The consultancy in brief
The aim of this consultancy is to conduct research on the performance of humanitarian action in countries where there is an ongoing humanitarian response for the sixth edition of the State of the Humanitarian System (SOHS) report, a longitudinal study assessing humanitarian performance since 2010.
Our priority is to work with nationally-based researchers, and we will not consider bids from research or consultancy teams based entirely in global minority countries โ however, we will consider consortia or partnership bids from teams combining global minority and majority team members.
We welcome one of two types of bids for this work:
A. Pre-formed consortia or bids from teams of consultants who are able to conduct research in 4-8 countries which feature an HRP. We expect the lead researchers for each country to be based in the country they are researching.
B. Bids from individuals or teams from a single crisis affected country, with the expectation that ALNAP will create a consortia of nationally-based researchers in multiple countries in which you will participate.
2. About the SOHS
The ALNAP State of the Humanitarian System Report (SOHS) is an independent study that compiles the latest statistics on the size and scope of the humanitarian system and assesses overall performance and progress of global humanitarian response. The report is ALNAPโs flagship publication and is a critical element of ALNAPโs strategic focus on monitoring and reporting on system-wide performance.
A pilot exercise and four subsequent editions (2012, 2015,2018, and 2022) have already provided a baseline and an analysis of performance between 2008 and 2021. The sixth edition is expected to adopt a similar methodology to the 2018 report focused on key policy questions with longitudinal links to the OEDC DAC criteria and through the production of new research components designed to provide a more in-depth understanding of performance on certain criteria. ALNAP will also be seeking to strengthen its partnership approach to conducting case study research in crisis-affected countries.
The main objective however will remain the same: to gather and synthesise evidence to form an overall picture of the global humanitarian system and indicate how well it is serving the needs of peoples affected by conflict and crises. Specifically, the report will provide a description of the shape and composition of the global humanitarian system and an assessment of its progress and performance over time.
3. Aim and Scope
The aim of this consultancy is to collect perception-based performance data in countries where there is an ongoing humanitarian response for the sixth edition of the SOHS. The objectives are to conduct key informant interviews and focus group discussions with crisesaffected people, government authorities, and humanitarian, development and peace keeping practitioners in-country. Findings from this research which will form a key part of the evidence base for the SOHS sixth edition. In addition to supporting the main SOHS report, there is also the potential for the consultants to create country-specific reports assessing progress of the humanitarian system with a focus on themes that are particularly relevant to their context. Interest in producing those will be discussed and additional days/time for producing them agreed between the ALNAP secretariat and the consultant(s).
4. Qualifications
ALNAP seeks to work in partnership for this component with research partners located in crisis-affected contexts and welcomes applications from a single organisation focused on one context or applications that cover multiple contexts through the presence of different organisations working together in consortia. Ideally, the team will comprise of researchers based within each country.
ALNAP is keen to work with the chosen consultants in partnership with the aim that the consultancy results in content to be synthesised in the longitudinal SOHS report, but that it also produces research content of value to country-based research institutions with the potential production of short country reports on a theme relevant to that context. The research team should meet the following qualifications:
Essential
โข Experience conducting research in humanitarian contexts
โข Successful experience working as a remote team
โข Proven track record of delivering large, complex projects to deadline
โข Proven track record of conducting research collaboratively
โข Significant experience carrying out key informant interviews, focus group discussions and literature review, across the proposed research team
โข Established relationships among experienced researchers in-country in those places where research is expected to take place.
โข Clear understanding of the ethical implications of carrying out interviews with vulnerable people
โข Able to write, in English, in a clear and consistent style, adhering to the agreed document length
โข Willingness and enthusiasm to contribute across the development of the SOHS 2026 report and to produce inputs for the SOHS report according to the style/templates identified by the SOHS research leads to support longitudinal comparison
โข Willingness and enthusiasm to take a leading role in tailoring the research to key themes of relevance in the chosen context and produce short country specific reports
Desirable
Prior experience using MaxQDA or similar software to code transcripts/documents as part of a research project.
5. Activities and deliverables
This consultancy covers the following activities:
Key informant interviews and focus group discussions in crisis affected countries
With this research, we aim to cover at least 5 crisis affected contexts. Within each context, organisations will conduct interviews and focus group discussions with a minimum of 20 key informant interviews and 30 individuals in focus group discussions. These will gather qualitative information from key stakeholders in the humanitarian system including governments, practitioners, donors and affected people. Interviews/discussions are expected to take place between mid 2024 and late 2025. The selection of interviewees should be aimed to achieve broad and diverse representation across types of organisation, gender, national context, etc. National authorities and local NGOs should be well represented.
Interviews and FGDs should be conducted according to an interview protocol designed on the basis of the SOHS study matrix which will be outlined in the SOHS inception report (see the 2018 version for example).
Interviews and FGDs should be audio recorded with permission, transcribed and then coded using MaxQDA according to a coding matrix provided by ALNAP which will be used for consistency across all of the SOHS components.
Eligible countries for this research component include all countries with an active HRP/ERP within the study period for the report 2022-2025. Applicants will be asked to justify why a focus on a given context would strengthen the understanding of the global humanitarian system. Countries will be selected with the aim of achieving geographical spread and representation of different crisis types, as well as a reflection of the range of activities that comprise humanitarian action. Final decisions for country contexts will be confirmed between the ALNAP Secretariat and the consultant(s).
Finally, findings from the coded interviews/discussions will be compiled into a research component findings template provided by ALNAP.
Deliverables will include:
โข Development of method, including interview protocol, selection criteria, sampling approach and details needed for ODI Research Ethics Committee approval
โข Submission of audio and transcription for each interview/focus group discussion
โข Coding of all interview transcripts
โข Detailed completion of research component findings template
โข Writing of short country focused report exploring key themes for the context (to be discussed with individual institutions)
Contributions to the SOHS process
As one of the key component leads, the consultant(s) will take part in a number of methodological discussions and meetings about SOHS 2026.
Deliverables will include:
โข Interim progress report and participation in mid-term meeting โ winter/spring 2025
โข Participation in pre-drafting meeting โ autumn 2025
โข Review of SOHS drafts and as needed support throughout the writing process โ winter/spring 2026
โข Regular check-in calls with the ALNAP secretariat throughout the contract period โ ongoing throughout 2024โ2026
โข Participation in the planning and execution of launch events โ spring/summer 2026 onward
*NB: the research phase for this piece of work will span from summer 2024 to autumn/ winter 2025, culminating in the pre-drafting meeting
Contribute to the development of written and audiovisual components of the Report
On the basis of the research conducted, consultants will work with ALNAP communications and research staff to identify interesting and compelling stories and images that bring to life the Reportโs key findings. The exact nature of these contributions will be determined in liaison with the ALNAP Secretariat, but this could include:
โข Identification of storytellers from the interviews/FGDs conducted
โข Recording audio and/or video interviews (using basic equipment, such as mobile phones) with selected key informants
โข Working with communications colleagues to identify and describe stories which bring Report findings to life
โข Taking photos and videos (using basic equipment) which can be used in the Report dissemination
โข Video diaries from the consultantโs perspective, documenting research collection
โข Other creative ideas proposed by the consultant and/or ALNAP communications staff.
For more information please visit - In-country Research: State of the Humanitarian System Report | ALNAP