Request for Proposals: Artificial Intelligence in Humanitarian Action Training

Background

The Humanitarian Response Network (HRN) is a network of 50 Canadian humanitarian organizations committed to strengthening collective capacity, collaboration, and learning across the humanitarian sector. Hosted by Cooperation Canada, HRN works with its members to strengthen humanitarian preparedness and response through convening, collaboration, policy engagement, knowledge sharing, and capacity strengthening.

Through its Learning  Plan (2026-2029), HRN has identified continuous learning as a key priority to support members in responding to an increasingly complex humanitarian landscape. HRN’s Learning Plan is organized around Foundational Training Pathways, which strengthen core humanitarian competencies, and Thematic Training Pathways, which respond to emerging issues and evolving sector priorities.

HRN is committed to providing practical, accessible, and high-quality learning opportunities that strengthen the knowledge and skills of humanitarian professionals while fostering collaboration, peer learning, and the exchange of promising practices across the network. HRN’s learning approach is guided by the principles of connection, predictability, coherence, flexibility, learning pathways, and inclusivity. Consultants are encouraged to propose participatory, practical, and innovative approaches that respond to the diverse learning needs and experiences of HRN members.

The selected consultant(s) will:

• Design and develop the learning initiative.
• Facilitate the agreed learning sessions.
• Develop practical, accessible, and reusable participant resources.
• Incorporate humanitarian case studies and practical exercises.
• Submit a brief final report summarizing participant feedback, lessons learned, and recommendations.

Optional activities may include:

• Follow-up learning clinics.
• Participation in HRN communities of practice and/or working groups.
• Coaching or tailored support to member organizations.

The HRN welcomes proposals that prioritize participatory, experiential, relational, or community-based learning approaches and encourages proposals that draw upon diverse forms of knowledge and expertise. Proposals must be values-driven and grounded in humanitarian principles. We encourage creative and innovative learning methodologies that foster engagement, peer learning, reflection, and practical application.

Target Audience

The training is intended for humanitarian professionals from HRN member organizations, including staff working across programmatic, operational, technical, and leadership roles. Proposals should demonstrate how the learning approach will be relevant and accessible to participants with diverse levels of experience and responsibilities.

Selection Process

HRN welcomes a range of learning methodologies and formats, including webinars, workshops, learning series, and blended approaches.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Proposed Approach — 50%: Clarity, relevance, feasibility, creativity, and alignment with HRN’s Learning Plan principles.
• Experience and Qualifications — 20%: Demonstrated expertise in humanitarian action, professional learning, training design, facilitation, and resource development. HRN recognizes diverse forms of expertise, including lived experience, community leadership, and practice-based knowledge.
• Cost — 25%: Overall value for money and appropriateness of the proposed budget.
• Equity Considerations — 5%: Demonstrated commitment to accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and equitable collaboration.

Work Modality and Delivery

The consultant will be home-based and will work collaboratively with the HRN Manager throughout the assignment, including participation in inception, planning, delivery, and meetings.

HRN and Cooperation Canada will support participant registration, communications, virtual platforms, and logistical arrangements for online delivery. Registration must open at least six weeks before the start of online training and at least two months before the start of in-person training. Proposed timelines must allow sufficient time for registration, participant communications, accessibility arrangements, and logistical planning.

Eligibility

Applications are welcome from qualified individuals and organizations, including independent consultants, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, research groups, humanitarian organizations, and private-sector entities.

Collaborative proposals involving multiple facilitators or organizations are encouraged, provided roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. Proposals are welcome in either English or French.

HRN, hosted by Cooperation Canada, is committed to justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, accessibility, and ethical humanitarian practice. Inclusive procurement is an important part of the selection process. HRN seeks to provide equitable opportunities for consultants and organizations from diverse backgrounds, including BIPOC-led organizations and consultants, people of diverse gender identities, persons with disabilities, and other equity-deserving groups.

All members of the selected team will be required to sign and comply with the Cooperation Canada Code of Conduct and any other applicable HRN or Cooperation Canada policies.

Proposal Guidelines

Proposals may be submitted in the format that best demonstrates the applicant’s approach and expertise. At a minimum, they must include:

• Proposed learning approach, methodology, objectives, target audience, format, and delivery model.
• Work plan and timeline.
• Relevant experience and/or examples of previous work.
• Detailed financial proposal.
• Description of how equity, accessibility, and inclusion will be integrated throughout the assignment.

Submission Process

Applicants should submit their proposal and CVs to hrncoordinator@humanitarianresponse.ca. Applications may be submitted in English or French. HRN welcomes discussions with interested applicants before submission to explore alignment with the objectives of this Request for Proposals.

Training Description and Objectives

Purpose

The Humanitarian Response Network (HRN) is seeking a consultant or consulting team to design and deliver an Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning. The selected consultant(s), in collaboration with HRN, will develop and facilitate practical learning opportunities that strengthen the ability of HRN members to use AI responsibly and effectively in humanitarian action. We expect 20 to 40 participants.

While the HRN has outlined an illustrative learning pathway based on its Learning Plan, developed following a capacity-building needs assessment with HRN members, this should be considered a suggested approach rather than a prescribed structure.

The HRN envisions a series of three approximately 1.5-hour training sessions, delivered once per month, addressing different levels of AI knowledge and organizational needs. The first session could also serve as an opportunity to better assess participants’ existing knowledge, needs, and priorities, with these insights informing the focus and level of the subsequent sessions.

• Level 1 – Responsible AI Foundations: Introducing the essential foundations for responsible AI use, including the various scope of AI, key risks and opportunities, and general principles for safe and responsible use.
• Level 2 – Applying AI in Humanitarian Work: Building on these foundations to strengthen practical AI skills, including developing effective prompts, applying verification and quality-control approaches, and adopting responsible, good practices that can be used across a range of business processes within humanitarian and NGOs.
• Level 3 – AI Leadership and Organizational Transformation: Supporting managers and organizational leaders to move beyond individual applications and develop organizational approaches to AI governance, adoption, risk management, and responsible innovation.

This structure is illustrative rather than prescriptive. Consultants are encouraged to propose sequencing, formats, or approaches that respond effectively to the varying levels of AI experience and needs across HRN’s membership.

Objectives

• Strengthen AI literacy among humanitarian professionals.
• Promote the safe, ethical, transparent, and responsible use of AI in humanitarian contexts.
• Build practical skills that participants can apply in their day-to-day work.
• Encourage innovation while protecting affected populations, partners, organizations, and sensitive information.
• Foster peer learning and collaboration across HRN members.
• Support organizations in considering appropriate governance, policies, and responsible adoption of AI.

HRN anticipates a small to medium-sized cohort (20 to 40 participants), although final participant numbers will depend on registration. The selected consultant will work with HRN to adapt the learning approach and level of interaction based on the final cohort size and participants’ experience.

Where appropriate, HRN encourages a progressive learning approach that allows participants to learn, practice, reflect, and build on their skills between sessions. Consultants are welcome to propose practical exercises, between session activities, or other approaches that support continued application without creating an excessive time commitment for participants.

Timeframe: Proposals will be accepted until September 30, 2026. The consultant will be contracted in early October, with training design and preparation beginning immediately thereafter. Registration will open at least six weeks before the training, with delivery scheduled for mid-November 2026, according to the agreed workplan and HRN learning calendar.

Approximate Budget: CAD $16,000