Meaningful Connectivity Research Consultant

About the role

This research examines how emergency connectivity support is structured today and what gaps remain for frontline responders. Using a literature review and case study methodology, it will generate evidence on what “meaningful connectivity” looks like across emergency response contexts, and provide recommendations for more effective support structures. The work recognizes that meaningful connectivity spans the full humanitarian-development continuum, before, during, and after a crisis, not just its acute phase.

Scope of Work

Research Objectives

• Document how connectivity in emergency response has evolved and what it means in practice today across international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), local and national organizations, and affected communities, including the evolution of NetHope’s work in this area.
• Examine the roles of the private sector in shaping connectivity resourcing models, and the ethical and technical implications associated with their adoption in the humanitarian sector.
• Document the connectivity technology needs of frontline responders across international NGOs, local and national organizations, and affected communities and their change over the years.
• Document how frontline responders across international NGOs, local and national organizations, and affected communities are currently covering their connectivity technology needs, and the existing gaps remaining.
• Assess existing funding models (e.g., pre-positioned equipment, cash grants, pre-approved procurement windows), including NetHope’s models, and how they align with the needs of frontline responders.
• Analyze evidence from NetHope’s emergency response program as embedded case studies of varying types and contexts of emergency connectivity resourcing.
• Produce actionable recommendations and evidence products for future emergency response programming at NetHope, and the broader humanitarian connectivity sector.

Research Questions

• Central question: How has connectivity in humanitarian emergency response evolved, and where does the sector stand in terms of achieving “meaningful connectivity” today?
• Supporting questions:
  • How do connectivity needs and constraints compare across international NGOs, local/national/regional NGOs, and community-based organizations?
  • To what extent have preparedness and response investments reduced the duration and severity of connectivity loss during recent emergencies, compared to prior years?
  • What specific technical, logistical, or funding barriers explain the persistence of last-mile gaps, even where broader country-level connectivity has improved?
  • What funding and procurement models exist to support the work of frontline responders and the communities they serve, and what are the observed results?
  • How do different support models (on-site technical support, in-kind donations, preparedness grants, response grants) perform across the preparedness, response, and recovery phases? Across conflict and post-conflict emergencies?
  • What evidence from NetHope’s own programming shows which support models (on-site technical support, in-kind donations, preparedness grants, response grants) are most effective in which contexts, and where models may need to be combined rather than used in isolation?
  • What role do private sector actors (donors and vendors) play in enabling or constraining this mix of models, and what tradeoffs come with relying on them?
  • How can connectivity investment and technology be structured to better serve communities across the preparedness, response, and recovery phases of an emergency?
  • How are internet shutdowns and restrictive government policies in the selected disaster-prone or at-risk case study locations reshaping connectivity strategies, and do locally driven models navigate these constraints more effectively than traditional approaches? (Case study locations will be selected jointly by the candidate and NetHope)

Activities

• Research work plan and protocol: Develop a research work plan and protocol in agreement with the NetHope POC.
• Literature Review:
  • Conduct a structured review of existing research on connectivity technology in humanitarian work, digital infrastructure in crisis settings, and anticipatory humanitarian action.
  • Analyze different support models (on-site technical support, in-kind donations, preparedness grants, response grants) as potential frameworks for emergency connectivity support.
  • Review humanitarian-development nexus literature relevant to resilience-based connectivity investment.
  • Review program documents from NetHope’s emergency response program.
  • Analyze relevant policy documents (international and from selected case-study countries), donor frameworks for emergency response and connectivity, and/or standard/most used MOU structures.
• Stakeholder Mapping and Key Informant Interviews:
  • Map stakeholders across six categories: international NGOs; local, national, and regional NGOs and CBOs; foundation/philanthropic organizations; private sector connectivity providers and donors; affected communities and local first responders; relevant UN agencies and coordination bodies.
  • Design and conduct semi-structured key informant interviews with representatives from each stakeholder group, focusing on lived experience of connectivity gaps, procurement barriers, successful experiences, and the meaning of “meaningful connectivity” in practice.
  • Analyze and synthesize qualitative data from interviews.
• Survey:
  • Design, pilot, and deploy a quantitative survey (with optional qualitative sections) for the NetHope Member network and NetHope Connected organizations, capturing data on connectivity needs, equipment procurement experiences, and effective support models.
  • Analyze and report survey results as part of the overall research synthesis.
• Data analysis and reporting: Draft the final report in close communication with the research committee.
• Workshops:
  • Facilitate workshops with NetHope Member and Connected organizations and select local NGO partners to complement information from interviews and surveys and validate findings.
  • Develop presentation and other supporting documents for a donor-facing workshop to present preliminary findings.
• Case Studies: Examine four NetHope emergency response initiatives as embedded case studies, documenting outcomes and evidence on the effectiveness of implemented support models against specific emergency response contexts.

Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated experience conducting applied or policy-oriented research in humanitarian response, international development, or related fields.
• Strong qualitative research skills, including case studies, interview design, facilitation, and analysis; mixed-methods experience is an asset.
• Experience with survey design and quantitative data analysis.
• Familiarity with humanitarian connectivity, telecommunications infrastructure, or digital access in crisis settings.
• Familiarity with private sector connectivity providers and satellite communications technologies.
• Experience engaging with multi-stakeholder environments, including NGOs, private sector actors, and/or UN coordination bodies.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce accessible, evidence-based products for non-academic audiences.

Preferred

• Knowledge of anticipatory action frameworks and humanitarian funding architecture.
• Prior engagement with the NetHope Member network.

Project Timeline

• Engagement period: September 2026 – January 2027
• Estimated hours: 40 hours per month