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Humanitarian Standards Partnership

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About the Humanitarian Standards Partnership

What are humanitarian standards?

People affected by disaster or conflict have the right to life with dignity and, therefore, the right to assistance. Humanitarian standards are statements which describe the minimum conditions for life with dignity. Standards are accompanied by possible actions, suggested targets and guidance notes which help humanitarian actors to move towards achieving standards and measure their progress.

Humanitarian standards are developed by humanitarian practitioners with specific areas of expertise and are formulated based on evidence, experience, and learning. The standards are developed by consensus and reflect accumulated best practice at a global level. They are revised regularly to incorporate developments across the sector.

Humanitarian standards are a useful resource for practitioners to plan, implement, and evaluate humanitarian response. They provide a strong basis to advocate for the rights of crisis-affected communities. By applying them in preparedness and response operations, humanitarian agencies and practitioners make a commitment to quality and make themselves accountable to the populations they serve and other stakeholders.

What is the Humanitarian Standards Partnership (HSP)?

The HSP is a network of standard-setting initiatives and organisations. It supports quality and accountability in humanitarian action by promoting the development and cross sectoral use of standards.

The HSP is an initiative of Sphere and is hosted and managed by the Sphere Secretariat.

HSP Partners

Visit HSP partner websites to discover the full range of services offered.

  • Sphere logo (with text)

Sphere

Sphere is a diverse global community that establishes, promotes and reviews standards for humanitarian action which provide an accountability framework for preparedness, resource allocation, response, monitoring and advocacy, before, during and after disasters and crises.

  • HelpAge International logo

HelpAge International and CBM Global

HelpAge International promotes the inclusion of older people and people with disabilities during emergency responses in both accessing assistance and participating in the decision-making processes that affect them. HelpAge International works with CBM Global to promote the Humanitarian Inclusion Standards for Older People and People with Disabilities.

  • The Alliance logo

The Alliance

The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (“the Alliance”) sets standards and provides technical guidance to support humanitarian actors in preventing and responding to harm to children.

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CALP Network

The CALP Network enables collaboration between organisations to increase the scale and quality of Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA).

  • Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster logo

CCCM Cluster

The Global Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster is an Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) coordination mechanism that supports people affected by natural disasters and internally displaced people (IDPs) affected by conflict with the means to live in safe, dignified and appropriate settings.

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CHS Alliance

The CHS Alliance is a global alliance of humanitarian and development organisations committed to making aid work better for people, united by a common belief that organisations deliver higher quality, more effective aid when they are accountable to the people they serve.

  • International Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) logo

INEE

The Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) is an open, global
network of members working together within a humanitarian and development framework to ensure that all individuals have the right to high quality, safe, relevant, and equitable education.

  • Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS) logo

LEGS

The Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS) community provides standards and guidance for livestock-based livelihoods response in emergencies.

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Standards for Supporting Crop-related Livelihoods in Emergencies (SEADS)

SEADS provides international principles and minimum standards that support people responding to a humanitarian crisis to design, implement, and evaluate crop-related crisis responses.

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Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS)

Sphere is the home of the MERS since December 2023.

The MERS was created and curated by the SEEP Network (Small Enterprise Education and Promotion) until its closure in December 2021.

Visit the MERS partner page on this website to access the MERS handbook and associated resources. Contact Sphere for more information.

HSP partner networks

HSP partners are networks of people and organisations. Several partners offer membership opportunities, and various partners manage communities of practice, including focal point networks and working groups.

Some partners have trainer communities which are critical to dissemination of standards.

  • Sphere logo (with text)

Sphere

Sphere members invest in Sphere’s vision and help to shape Sphere’s strategy and policy agenda.

A network of Sphere country focal points and regional partners promotes the application of Sphere principles and standards around the world.

  • The Alliance logo

The Alliance

Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (“the Alliance”) members set standards and provide technical guidance to support humanitarian actors in preventing and responding to harm to children.

The Alliance’s Child Protection Minimum Standards Working Group (CPWG) supports the participatory setting of standards for child protection in humanitarian action, promotes their use and institutionalization, and captures lessons learned to improve them.

  • CALP Network logo

CALP Network

Becoming a member of the CALP Network is a statement of commitment to collective action to achieve their shared mission of promoting and improving Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) across the humanitarian sector.

  • CHS Alliance logo

CHS Alliance

CHS Alliance members believe organisations deliver higher quality, more effective aid when they are accountable to the people they serve. Members include some of the largest and also some of the smallest humanitarian and development actors in the world.

  • International Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) logo

INEE

The Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) exists for and because of its members. INEE is an open, global network of more than 18,000 individual members affiliated with more than 4,000 diverse organisations and institutions in 190 countries. INEE Membership is free, and everyone working in the field of education in emergencies, and related initiatives, is invited to join by completing a simple INEE registration form.

  • Africa Humanitarian Standards Network (AHSN) logo

Africa Humanitarian Standards Network (AHSN)

The AHSN is a Sphere regional partner which promotes cross-sectoral use of all HSP standards across Africa by supporting practitioners with training opportunities, technical guidance and advocacy.

Work with us

Some HSP partners may have permanent roles and contract opportunities posted on their websites.

To receive notifications of opportunities, follow partners on social media.

  • Sphere logo (with text)

Sphere

Full time positions with Sphere and consultancies are advertised on Sphere’s work with us page.

  • The Alliance logo

The Alliance

Looking for a new job opportunity in Child Protection? Seeking to find a professional to fill a position in Child Protection? Please visit the jobs section of the Alliance’s website.

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CALP Network

Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) related jobs and consultancies with the CALP Network team and CALP members are listed on CALP’s jobs page. CALP members can submit vacancies which will usually be approved within 48 hours.

  • CHS Alliance logo

CHS Alliance

Vacancies with the CHS Alliance are advertised on CHSA’s vacancies page.

  • International Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) logo

INEE

Find a dynamic listing of jobs relevant to education in emergencies on INEE’s jobs page. To receive INEE’s weekly jobs email, subscribe via your online INEE account. Employers may submit job announcements using INEE’s Post a Job form (login required).