Consultancy: Study on Local and National Actors' perspectives on Accountability of the International Aid Sector to the Localisation Agenda

Contact: Zoe Katrine Svendsen Borra, zobo@redbarnet.dk, to receive the full Terms of Reference. 2. Purpose of the study The study seeks to understand what local and national aid actors consider meaningful accountability for international actors’ commitments to the localisation and local leadership agenda. Given the learning study is small-scale, it will not assess the full range of localisation commitments or map every accountability initiative globally and in-country. Rather, it will focus on the relationship between LNA localisation framing and input and international actors’ decisions, behaviour and follow-up. Specifically, the study will examine: What mechanisms do LNAs think are working well or have the potential to work well on accountability to the localisation agenda, and which are considered insufficient? Where do LNAs find they are able to influence with regard to accountability approaches, and where do they not? How do LNAs feel international actors can be more effectively held to account? The study should conclude by identifying practical implications for international humanitarian actors. 3. Scope of work The study will explore the overarching question: What does meaningful accountability to the localisation agenda look like from the perspective of local and national actors? 4. Key questions to address The study should organise its analysis around the following three core questions: What mechanisms do LNAs think are working well or have the potential to work well on accountability to the localisation agenda, and which are considered insufficient? What makes formal and informal existing mechanisms credible, useful or ineffective from an LNA perspective? Where do LNAs find they are able to influence accountability approaches, and where do they not? How do LNAs feel international actors can be more effectively held to account? What role should different entities of the humanitarian eco-system have to hold international actors accountable to the localisation agenda? What practical changes, incentives, consequences or follow-up arrangements would strengthen accountability to LNAs? 6. Deliverables - Inception report, including refined research questions, analytical framework, desk review approach, sampling strategy, methodology and detailed timeline. The inception report should specify how the country cases will be integrated into the analysis - Short emerging findings debrief with Save the Children Denmark’s refernce group, - Draft report, including findings, illustrative examples of accountability approaches and emerging implications. - Final report, including: executive summary, synthesis of existing evidence, LNA perspectives on the aspects of the localisation and local leadership agenda for which international actors should be held accountable, assessment of the accountability mechanisms that LNAs consider to be working well or insufficient, analysis of where LNAs are and are not able to influence accountability approaches, including barriers and enabling conditions, recommendations for how international actors can be more effectively held to account, Brief presentation of findings for Save the Children Denmark and, where appropriate, external sector audiences. The final report should be suitable for external publication and should seek to contribute to wider sector learning on localisation and accountability. 7. Timeline - The work will be undertaken from October to December 2026. - Final report submission: December 2026. 8. Qualifications Required The consultant/consultancy team should demonstrate the following qualifications: Essential Strong knowledge of global South based perspectives on local leadership, Proven experience working with or undertaking research with local and national actors and Global South-based organisations, Strong knowledge of localisation commitments and frameworks, including the Grand Bargain, Pledge for Change and related sector initiatives, Demonstrated experience researching accountability, power relations and local leadership, Strong understanding of the political and power dimensions of localisation and international-local relationships, Demonstrated qualitative research skills, including evidence synthesis, interviewing and analysis, Experience translating research findings into practical recommendations for international organisations and the wider aid sector, Excellent English writing, presentation and stakeholder-engagement skills. The commissioning team particularly welcomes proposals from Global South-based consultants, researchers or organisations and collaborative teams that demonstrate meaningful LNA leadership of the research. 9. Application process Interested consultants or consultancy teams are invited to submit: - A maximum two-page technical proposal outlining their understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, workplan and team composition. - Proposals of a total budget of 200.000 DKK (approx. 30.000 USD). - CV(s) highlighting relevant experience. - Examples of similar previous work or references. Applications should be submitted electronically to Save the Children Denmark by 15th October to Katja Rosenstock kr@redbarnet.dk and Zoe Katrine Svendsen Borra zobo@redbarnet.dk. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Save the Children Denmark reserves the right to accept or reject any application.