Consultancy to develop a Strategic Framework for the Mortality Estimation Initiative

Background

Accurate mortality data is essential for understanding the scale and severity of humanitarian crises, guiding evidence-based response, informing life-saving programming, and ensuring efficient allocation of limited resources. Despite its importance, mortality estimation remains underutilized due to limited operational tools, technical capacity constraints, and insufficient institutional support.

The Mortality Estimation Initiative is a sector-wide greater good initiative that aims to strengthen the effectiveness of humanitarian public health programming by improving the timely collection, analysis, use, and uptake of mortality data among humanitarian actors to inform decision-making and save lives.

The Initiative is led by Save the Children (SC), in partnership with IMPACT Initiatives and Evidence for Change (E4C) It brings together technical actors, operational agencies, national stakeholders, and donors through governance platforms to deliver agreed priority activities under the initiative. The governance platforms include:

• Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) — providing strategic direction, sectoral alignment, and high-level endorsement
• Technical Advisory Group (TAG) — providing technical and methodological guidance
• National Advisory Group (NAG) — providing operational feasibility perspectives and field-level insights

Over a 24-month implementation period, the Initiative will develop:

• a Strategic Framework to articulate the long-term direction and vision of mortality estimation and corresponding financial investment in humanitarian settings
• a Localization and National Engagement Strategy that defines practical pathways for participation, leadership, capacity strengthening and partnership with national actors to strengthen national ownership and sustainability.
• a practical, context-appropriate mortality estimation and surveillance toolkit to support health actors in collecting and using mortality data.

The Initiative is seeking a qualified consultant (or consulting firm) to lead the development of a Strategic Framework for humanitarian stakeholders. This framework will provide long-term strategic direction, promote innovation, guide implementation, promote collaboration and coordination among humanitarian stakeholders to strengthen generating and uptake of mortality evidence in humanitarian action. All work will be grounded in principles of equitable and inclusive participation, informed by the principles of locally-led action . This consultancy will be conducted in parallel with the development of the Localization and National Engagement Strategy, which will serve as a complementary and mutually reinforcing process. Insights generated through the Localization Strategy will inform the Strategic Framework’s priorities related to localization, governance, and operating models, while the Strategic Framework will provide the overarching vision and structural context within which the Localization Strategy will be positioned. Close coordination between the two envisioned consultancies will be required to ensure alignment, avoid duplication, and promote coherence across deliverables.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will develop a comprehensive Strategic Framework that:

• Articulates a clear immediate and long-term shared vision, mission, strategic pillars, and objectives, while defining strategic priorities, key milestones, and actionable recommendations to guide measurable progress in advancing mortality estimation in humanitarian settings.
• Outlines a coherent pathway to strengthen and institutionalize mortality estimation practices, particularly among local actors, while promoting sustainability, harmonization, locally led action, and long-term sector-wide adoption.
• Establishes a forward-looking agenda to guide future investments, partnerships, innovation, and sustained sector leadership in mortality estimation.

Scope of Work and Key Tasks

The consultant will

Task 1: Evidence Review and Stakeholder Consultation

• Conduct a review and synthesis of existing initiative documents, prior analyses, mortality estimation initiatives, research, capacities, and gaps across relevant actors and contexts.
• Develop and implement a structured Consultation Plan (including stakeholders, methods, tools, and timeline), building on existing KII data and facilitating additional consultations with SAG, TAG, NAG, donors, and other key stakeholders. Coordinate closely with the Localization Strategy consultant to ensure alignment.
• Synthesize evidence and consultation findings to identify strategic opportunities, risks, enabling factors, and clear recommendations to inform the Framework’s strategic direction.

Outputs of task 1: Detailed workplan, consultation plan and Consolidated Evidence and Consultation Summary Report, including methodology, participant overview, key thematic findings, identified gaps, and actionable strategic recommendations.

Task 2: Framework Development

• Develop a structure and outline for the Framework (shared for review before full drafting).
• Draft a comprehensive Strategic Framework, including:
  • Purpose, scope, and rationale
  • Vision, mission, desired impact, guiding principles
  • Strategic pillars, short and long-term goals
  • Objectives, outcomes, priority actions, and recommended investment
  • Cross-cutting themes (equity, ethics, localization, data governance, operational feasibility, etc.)
  • Integration with broader humanitarian and health system coordination structures (e.g., clusters, surveillance platforms, technical standards)
• Develop a practical roadmap outlining activities, milestones, sequencing, responsibilities, and enabling factors
• Distinguish between current-cycle activities and future-phase recommendations
• Ensure alignment with the Localization Strategy

Outputs of Task 2: Draft Strategic Framework (Version 1), inclusive of the roadmap and consultation findings summary as annexes

Task 3: Validation and Finalization

• Present outline and version 1 to SAG/TAG/NAG for feedback
• Develop version 2 based on the feedback received from the SAG/TAG/NAG.
• Present version 2 to key stakeholders during the planned validation workshop in Sept 2026, facilitate discussions and integrate feedback.
• Finalize the Strategic Framework, integrating all agreed modifications.
• Produce final deliverables with clear narrative structure and professionally formatted visual layouts aligned with the Initiative’s branding

Outputs of Task 3: Revised Draft Strategic Framework (Version 2), Final Strategic Framework (plus annexes)

Deliverables

1. Workplan including a stakeholder consultation plan, methodology, tools, and timeline.
2. Strategic Framework – Version 1, inclusive of roadmap, consolidated evidence and consultation findings summary as annexes
3. Strategic Framework – Version 2 (revised draft)
4. Final Strategic Framework

Timeline

Estimated consultancy duration: April - Oct 2026 (approx. 25 days). A detailed timeline will be finalized upon contracting.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Humanitarian Studies, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in humanitarian strategy development, public health or epidemiology particularly with specific expertise in mortality evidence research, policy and/or strategy.
• Demonstrated experience developing multi-year strategic frameworks for global health or humanitarian initiatives.
• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills and experience conducting multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Knowledge of mortality estimation, surveillance systems, or humanitarian health information systems is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and synthesis skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a remote, multi-partner environment.
• Previous leadership roles in the field of public health/humanitarian aid (authoritative voice)
• Knowledge of broader landscape (donors, health systems)

Reporting and Management

The consultant will report to the Lead of the Mortality Estimation Initiative and will work closely with select members of the SAG during the Strategic Framework's development. They will engage regularly with the Initiative’s core team and governance groups to ensure alignment and validation of key deliverables. The Initiative Lead will manage overall partner coordination. The consultant will coordinate with the Localization Strategy consultant to ensure coherence and avoid duplication.

Background

Accurate mortality data is essential for understanding the scale and severity of humanitarian crises, guiding evidence-based response, informing life-saving programming, and ensuring efficient allocation of limited resources. Despite its importance, mortality estimation remains underutilized due to limited operational tools, technical capacity constraints, and insufficient institutional support.

The Mortality Estimation Initiative is a sector-wide greater good initiative that aims to strengthen the effectiveness of humanitarian public health programming by improving the timely collection, analysis, use, and uptake of mortality data among humanitarian actors to inform decision-making and save lives.

The Initiative is led by Save the Children (SC), in partnership with IMPACT Initiatives and Evidence for Change (E4C) It brings together technical actors, operational agencies, national stakeholders, and donors through governance platforms to deliver agreed priority activities under the initiative. The governance platforms include:

• Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) — providing strategic direction, sectoral alignment, and high-level endorsement
• Technical Advisory Group (TAG) — providing technical and methodological guidance
• National Advisory Group (NAG) — providing operational feasibility perspectives and field-level insights

Over a 24-month implementation period, the Initiative will develop:

• a Strategic Framework to articulate the long-term direction and vision of mortality estimation and corresponding financial investment in humanitarian settings
• a Localization and National Engagement Strategy that defines practical pathways for participation, leadership, capacity strengthening and partnership with national actors to strengthen national ownership and sustainability.
• a practical, context-appropriate mortality estimation and surveillance toolkit to support health actors in collecting and using mortality data.

The Initiative is seeking a qualified consultant (or consulting firm) to lead the development of a Strategic Framework for humanitarian stakeholders. This framework will provide long-term strategic direction, promote innovation, guide implementation, promote collaboration and coordination among humanitarian stakeholders to strengthen generating and uptake of mortality evidence in humanitarian action. All work will be grounded in principles of equitable and inclusive participation, informed by the principles of locally-led action . This consultancy will be conducted in parallel with the development of the Localization and National Engagement Strategy, which will serve as a complementary and mutually reinforcing process. Insights generated through the Localization Strategy will inform the Strategic Framework’s priorities related to localization, governance, and operating models, while the Strategic Framework will provide the overarching vision and structural context within which the Localization Strategy will be positioned. Close coordination between the two envisioned consultancies will be required to ensure alignment, avoid duplication, and promote coherence across deliverables.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will develop a comprehensive Strategic Framework that:

• Articulates a clear immediate and long-term shared vision, mission, strategic pillars, and objectives, while defining strategic priorities, key milestones, and actionable recommendations to guide measurable progress in advancing mortality estimation in humanitarian settings.
• Outlines a coherent pathway to strengthen and institutionalize mortality estimation practices, particularly among local actors, while promoting sustainability, harmonization, locally led action, and long-term sector-wide adoption.
• Establishes a forward-looking agenda to guide future investments, partnerships, innovation, and sustained sector leadership in mortality estimation.

Scope of Work and Key Tasks

The consultant will

Task 1: Evidence Review and Stakeholder Consultation

• Conduct a review and synthesis of existing initiative documents, prior analyses, mortality estimation initiatives, research, capacities, and gaps across relevant actors and contexts.
• Develop and implement a structured Consultation Plan (including stakeholders, methods, tools, and timeline), building on existing KII data and facilitating additional consultations with SAG, TAG, NAG, donors, and other key stakeholders. Coordinate closely with the Localization Strategy consultant to ensure alignment.
• Synthesize evidence and consultation findings to identify strategic opportunities, risks, enabling factors, and clear recommendations to inform the Framework’s strategic direction.

Outputs of task 1: Detailed workplan, consultation plan and Consolidated Evidence and Consultation Summary Report, including methodology, participant overview, key thematic findings, identified gaps, and actionable strategic recommendations.

Task 2: Framework Development

• Develop a structure and outline for the Framework (shared for review before full drafting).
• Draft a comprehensive Strategic Framework, including:
  • Purpose, scope, and rationale
  • Vision, mission, desired impact, guiding principles
  • Strategic pillars, short and long-term goals
  • Objectives, outcomes, priority actions, and recommended investment
  • Cross-cutting themes (equity, ethics, localization, data governance, operational feasibility, etc.)
  • Integration with broader humanitarian and health system coordination structures (e.g., clusters, surveillance platforms, technical standards)
• Develop a practical roadmap outlining activities, milestones, sequencing, responsibilities, and enabling factors
• Distinguish between current-cycle activities and future-phase recommendations
• Ensure alignment with the Localization Strategy

Outputs of Task 2: Draft Strategic Framework (Version 1), inclusive of the roadmap and consultation findings summary as annexes

Task 3: Validation and Finalization

• Present outline and version 1 to SAG/TAG/NAG for feedback
• Develop version 2 based on the feedback received from the SAG/TAG/NAG.
• Present version 2 to key stakeholders during the planned validation workshop in Sept 2026, facilitate discussions and integrate feedback.
• Finalize the Strategic Framework, integrating all agreed modifications.
• Produce final deliverables with clear narrative structure and professionally formatted visual layouts aligned with the Initiative’s branding

Outputs of Task 3: Revised Draft Strategic Framework (Version 2), Final Strategic Framework (plus annexes)

Deliverables

1. Workplan including a stakeholder consultation plan, methodology, tools, and timeline.
2. Strategic Framework – Version 1, inclusive of roadmap, consolidated evidence and consultation findings summary as annexes
3. Strategic Framework – Version 2 (revised draft)
4. Final Strategic Framework

Timeline

Estimated consultancy duration: April - Oct 2026 (approx. 25 days). A detailed timeline will be finalized upon contracting.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Humanitarian Studies, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in humanitarian strategy development, public health or epidemiology particularly with specific expertise in mortality evidence research, policy and/or strategy.
• Demonstrated experience developing multi-year strategic frameworks for global health or humanitarian initiatives.
• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills and experience conducting multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Knowledge of mortality estimation, surveillance systems, or humanitarian health information systems is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and synthesis skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a remote, multi-partner environment.
• Previous leadership roles in the field of public health/humanitarian aid (authoritative voice)
• Knowledge of broader landscape (donors, health systems)

Reporting and Management

The consultant will report to the Lead of the Mortality Estimation Initiative and will work closely with select members of the SAG during the Strategic Framework's development. They will engage regularly with the Initiative’s core team and governance groups to ensure alignment and validation of key deliverables. The Initiative Lead will manage overall partner coordination. The consultant will coordinate with the Localization Strategy consultant to ensure coherence and avoid duplication.