2026:DW Akademie Consultancy: Help Shape Humanitarian Information Services Worldwide

Access to reliable information can save lives during humanitarian emergencies. Whether communities are responding to armed conflict, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or displacement, timely and trustworthy information enables people to make informed decisions, access essential services, and protect themselves and their families. Recognizing this critical need, DW Akademie is seeking an experienced consultant to help strengthen humanitarian information systems through the development of a Theory of Change and a comprehensive advocacy strategy.

This consultancy offers a unique opportunity for experts working at the intersection of humanitarian response, media development, research, and strategic communications to contribute to a project that could influence humanitarian programming on a global scale.

About the Consultancy

Humanitarian organizations increasingly recognize that providing accurate, accessible, and actionable information should be considered a core component of emergency response. Over recent years, humanitarian agencies, media development organizations, and local information providers have collaborated to create system-wide information services that improve communication between responders and affected communities.

These initiatives aim to ensure that people impacted by crises receive trustworthy information while strengthening community participation, accountability, and coordination among humanitarian actors.

Building on these developments, DW Akademie intends to document existing experiences and create a strategic framework that supports broader recognition and adoption of these information services across the humanitarian sector.

The successful consultant will play a central role in developing this framework while helping shape future advocacy efforts directed toward humanitarian organizations, donors, and policymakers.

Key Objectives

The consultancy focuses on two major deliverables.

The first is the development of a Theory of Change that clearly explains how system-wide humanitarian information services contribute to better humanitarian outcomes. This framework will document lessons learned from previous initiatives and provide a structured pathway showing how information services create positive change for crisis-affected populations.

The second deliverable is the creation of an advocacy strategy designed to promote wider recognition and adoption of these approaches throughout the humanitarian community.

Together, these outputs will support humanitarian stakeholders in understanding the importance of information services as an essential component of emergency response.

Consultant Responsibilities

The selected consultant will work closely with DW Akademie to:

• Review and document lessons learned from existing humanitarian information service initiatives.
• Develop a robust Theory of Change based on evidence and practical experience.
• Design a strategic advocacy plan targeting humanitarian organizations, donors, and policymakers.
• Analyze humanitarian information ecosystems and identify opportunities for improved coordination.
• Produce high-quality strategic recommendations that support long-term adoption of system-wide information services.

The consultancy requires strong analytical thinking, excellent research skills, and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to diverse stakeholders.

Ideal Candidate Profile

DW Akademie is looking for a consultant with demonstrated expertise in several areas, including:

• Humanitarian information ecosystems
• Theory of Change development
• Strategic advocacy planning
• Humanitarian communication
• Media development
• Research and policy analysis
• Stakeholder engagement
• Knowledge management

Candidates with previous experience working alongside humanitarian organizations, international NGOs, donor agencies, or policy institutions will be particularly well suited for this assignment.

Experience in designing strategic frameworks or facilitating organizational learning processes will also be an advantage.

Why This Consultancy Matters

Information has become one of the most valuable resources during humanitarian crises. Communities affected by disasters often face misinformation, limited access to reliable updates, and communication barriers that can increase vulnerability.

By strengthening information ecosystems, humanitarian organizations can improve transparency, encourage community participation, support accountability, and ultimately deliver more effective assistance.

The consultant’s work will help build stronger evidence supporting these approaches while encouraging wider institutional adoption across humanitarian response systems.

This consultancy therefore represents an opportunity to contribute to meaningful improvements in humanitarian action while influencing future policy and programming.

Why Work with DW Akademie?

DW Akademie is internationally recognized for its work supporting independent media, journalism, freedom of expression, and media development around the world.

Working with DW Akademie provides consultants with the opportunity to collaborate on high-impact international projects that address some of today’s most pressing global challenges. The organization values innovation, evidence-based decision-making, and partnerships that strengthen democratic participation and access to reliable information.

Professionals joining this consultancy will contribute to an initiative with the potential to improve humanitarian communication practices across multiple countries and emergency contexts.

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by 17 August 2026.

How to Apply

Interested consultants should download the full Terms of Reference and submit their application through the official DW Akademie Opportunities and Tenders page:

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