Call for Proposals: Humanitarian Archive Emergency Project
As part of the Humanitarian Archive Emergency Project we are seeking proposals to undertake a census of threatened humanitarian archives, records and datasets and to contribute to the development of an ethical process for strengthening the resilience of humanitarian archives and data infrastructures.
Job details
Overview
The foundations of knowledge production in the humanitarian and global health sectors are at risk. Significant recent funding cuts and new political priorities disproportionately impact humanitarian actors who collect, produce and rely on information. This impact is visible throughout funding chains around the world, yet its scale is difficult to measure accurately.
As organisations fail, or repurpose their budgets, institutional memory is threatened by the risk of disappearing archives, datasets and records. Whilst this ongoing and imminent data loss will dramatically impact future research and operational decision-making in humanitarian aid, we currently lack the means to quantify its scale and nature. The survival of data, records and archives are essential to effective aid programming and the continued function and advancement of the humanitarian system and knowledge.
We are commissioning these consultancies as part of the Humanitarian Archive Emergency (HAE) Project, funded by the Leverhulme Trust and the Wellcome Trust, and implemented as a consortium led by the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI) at the University of Manchester.
Objective
The two consultancies, while distinct and separate, should be interlinked. As such, they could be delivered either by the same or by separate providers.
Consultancy #1: Conduct a census of threatened humanitarian archives, records and datasets, including an initial impact assessment with respect to losses.
This consultancy has the following objectives:
- Map and analyse the current landscape of humanitarian archives, records and datasets, assessing the extent to which they have been shaped or jeopardised by recent funding constraints, institutional reforms, and geopolitical shifts.
- Identify and interrogate the systemic and emerging vulnerabilities that threaten the preservation, accessibility, and integrity of humanitarian archival materials and data infrastructures.
Consultancy #2: Contribute to the development of an ethical process for strengthening the resilience of humanitarian archives and data infrastructures.
This consultancy has the following objectives:
- Develop and propose a phased roadmap and ethics-based decision-making framework to guide the rebuilding of humanitarian archival and data infrastructures.
- Within the framework, specify criteria and processes for systematic prioritisation for investment and preservation.
- Additionally, without overlooking feasibility given the current humanitarian institutional, legal and funding constraints, this work should address questions of ownership, control and accessibility, and address the risk of reproducing colonial patterns of knowledge extraction and concentration.
Timeline
Deadline for proposals: 25 January 2026
Anticipated project start: 9 February 2026
Consultancy period: February–October 2026
- Consultancy #1 (AER census and impact assessment): up to 7 months
- Consultancy #2 (ethical framework and resilience roadmap): up to 4 months
- Anticipated overlap between consultancies: approximately 2 months
Only consultants with availability to meet this timeframe should consider participating in this tender.
How to apply
Full application details and submission instructions are available in the Request for Proposals.
Interested service providers should submit a Proposal following the guidance included in the Call for Proposals.
Documents you require are:
Appendix 1: Elrha Contract Terms
Appendix 2: Elrha Incident Prevention and Management Policy
Deadline: Proposals must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on Sunday 25 January 2026
The Proposal should be submitted to Ian Brightwell, Humanitarian Archive Emergency Research Manager, as per the following instructions:
- email address: [email protected], with [email protected] in copy
- subject line: Proposal to ToR – HAE Consultancy
Submissions emailed to any other Elrha email address will not be considered. Submissions not following the ‘subject line’ instructions might not be considered.
About Elrha
Elrha is a global organisation that finds solutions to complex humanitarian problems through research and innovation. We fund and support projects that go on to shape the way in which people across the world are supported during a crisis. We’re an established and respected part of the humanitarian community, working closely and meaningfully with our fellow networks and actors to make change happen.
Read our strategy: Shaping the future: our strategy for research and innovation in humanitarian response 2023 – 2040. It sets out how we’ll work with our community to realise its potential in humanitarian response, and how we’ll capture the real change and improvements to the lives of people affected by crisis.
Commitment to diversity and inclusion
At Elrha, we view diversity as a strength and reflect this in our hiring practices and culture. A diverse workforce helps us tackle the complex challenges of the humanitarian sector.
We strive to create an inclusive environment where all team members feel valued and empowered. Our initiatives promote equality and ensure that everyone has a voice in shaping our organization and the communities we serve.
What do we do?
Elrha is dedicated to improving humanitarian outcomes by funding innovative projects and studies worldwide.
We focus on critical areas such as health, education, and emergency response to address the evolving needs of vulnerable populations. Through our strategic partnerships and rigorous research, we aim to drive impactful change and enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian efforts.
Why Work for Us?
At Elrha, we foster a collaborative and inclusive culture that empowers our team to create meaningful impact in the humanitarian sector.
Our commitment to diversity, innovation, and professional development ensures that everyone has a voice and the opportunity to grow. Join us in our mission to drive positive change!
Meet our team
Our dedicated staff and governance groups are at the heart of everything we do. Our team, trustees, and advisers, join us from diverse backgrounds, bringing unique expertise and experience to our work to find solutions to complex humanitarian problems.
