Save the Children Denmark is commissioning a research consultancy to examine how local and national actors understand and experience accountability for international humanitarian and development organisations’ localisation commitments. The assignment will combine desk research, qualitative interviews, analysis of accountability mechanisms and practical recommendations for the wider aid sector.
ABOUT SAVE THE CHILDREN DENMARK:
Save the Children Denmark is part of the Save the Children movement, which works to protect children’s rights and improve children’s lives. Through its humanitarian and development work, the organisation engages with local and national partners and supports approaches that strengthen locally led action and equitable partnerships.
JOB SUMMARY:
Save the Children Denmark is commissioning a small-scale learning study to understand what meaningful accountability for localisation looks like from the perspective of local and national actors. The consultant will examine whether existing accountability mechanisms allow these actors to influence the decisions, actions and follow-up of international humanitarian organisations.
The assignment will produce a learning paper with practical recommendations on how the international aid sector can strengthen accountability to local and national actors.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.Develop an inception report that refines the research questions, analytical framework, sampling strategy, methodology and work plan.
2.Review existing evidence and literature on localisation, local leadership, accountability mechanisms, the Grand Bargain, Pledge for Change and related humanitarian commitments.
3.Examine formal and informal mechanisms through which local and national actors seek to influence international organisations, including partner feedback, partnership reviews, local networks, coordination platforms, donor dialogue and locally led monitoring.
4.Conduct targeted qualitative interviews with local and national actors, their networks and relevant initiatives to understand their experiences and views on accountability.
5.Analyse evidence from the consultant’s research and incorporate findings from a light-touch country case conducted separately by Save the Children Denmark.
6.Examine the difference between participation in accountability processes and actual influence over decisions, institutional practices, resources and follow-up actions.
7.Present emerging findings to the Save the Children Denmark reference group and prepare a draft report containing key findings, examples and implications.
8.Prepare a final learning paper that synthesises the evidence, identifies effective and inadequate accountability approaches and recommends practical changes for international humanitarian actors.
REQUIREMENTS:
1.Strong knowledge of perspectives on local leadership and locally led humanitarian and development action, particularly from the Global South.
2.Demonstrated experience conducting research with local and national actors or Global South-based organisations.
3.Strong knowledge of localisation commitments and frameworks, including the Grand Bargain, Pledge for Change and related sector initiatives.
4.Experience researching accountability, power relations, local leadership and relationships between international organisations and local partners.
5.Strong qualitative research skills, including literature review, evidence synthesis, interviewing and analytical writing.
6.Ability to translate research findings into practical recommendations for international organisations and the wider humanitarian sector.
7.Excellent English writing, presentation and stakeholder-engagement skills.
8.Global South-based researchers, consultants and organisations are particularly welcomed, as are collaborative teams demonstrating meaningful leadership by local and national actors.
DELIVERABLES AND CONTRACT:
1.Inception report containing the research approach, framework, methodology and timeline.
2.Emerging findings debrief for Save the Children Denmark’s reference group.
3.Draft report presenting findings and implications.
4.Final report suitable for external publication, including evidence synthesis, local and national actors’ perspectives, analysis of accountability mechanisms and practical recommendations.
5.Consultancy period: October to December 2026, with the final report due in December 2026.
6.Total assignment budget: DKK 200,000, approximately USD 30,000. This is the total consultancy budget, not a monthly salary.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Interested consultants or consultancy teams should submit their application by email to both of the contacts below:
1.Katja Rosenstock: kr@redbarnet.dk
2.Zoe Katrine Svendsen Borra: zobo@redbarnet.dk
The submission should include:
3.A technical proposal of no more than two pages explaining the assignment, proposed methodology, work plan and team composition.
4.A budget proposal within the stated total assignment budget.
5.CVs highlighting relevant experience.
6.Examples of similar work or professional references.
APPLICATION DETAILS:
https://changemakerhq.org/jobs/research-consultancy-local-and-national-actors-perspectives-on-accountability-26155
DEADLINE:
15 October 2026
