ActionAid communications in humanitarian emergencies review: request for quote (RFQ)
ActionAid is seeking an experienced and values-driven communications consultant to lead a pivotal review of how we communicate during humanitarian emergencies. This is a rare opportunity to influence global narratives at moments of profound urgency, helping ensure that our communications are not only rapid and effective, but ethical, sustainable, and aligned with our feminist, anti-racist and decolonial values.
ActionAid’s Red and Orange Alert protocols are designed to guide communications in humanitarian emergencies, ensuring timely, accurate, and coordinated outputs across the global federation. These protocols play a critical role in mobilising public attention, fundraising, and shaping narratives. However, questions have emerged around efficiency, resourcing, wellbeing, integration with wider organisational work, and alignment with ActionAid UK’s 2025–2028 strategy and ActionAid’s international strategic framework (SIF 3).
This review will assess the current Red and Orange Alert communications protocols, identify strengths, challenges and key successes, and recommend revisions to strengthen their effectiveness, sustainability, and alignment with organisational priorities.
Objectives
1. Review the existing Red and Orange Alert communications protocols to assess their relevance, effectiveness, and unintended consequences.
2. Make recommendations for a revised protocol, including clearer structures for delegated authority, risk/crisis communications, staff wellbeing, and integration with wider organisational priorities.
3. Scope of work: ActionAid is looking for a qualified consultant or company to undertake a review of ActionAid’s communications work in humanitarian emergencies