The Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) is an Estonia-based international humanitarian organization which provides humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected communities, focusing on cash assistance, economic recovery, and protection work.
Beyond direct assistance, ERC is actively positioning itself as a leader in humanitarian digitalization, developing innovative solutions – such as HumX (a humanitarian interoperability data space built on X-Road technology), DigiCap (a deployable roster of digital advisors), and Dig(n)ital Suite (an open-source built beneficiary management system) – to make humanitarian responses more efficient, coordinated, and accountable. Drawing on Estonia's globally recognized digital expertise, ERC is committed to transforming the speed and cost-effectiveness of humanitarian assistance worldwide.
We are looking for a motivated researcher to join our team for a 6-month research engagement (0.5–1.0 FTE, in Tallinn/Tartu office, hybrid or remote). The researcher will lead a study examining the efficiency gains and cost savings generated by resolving key systemic digital challenges in humanitarian operations, contributing both to ERC's evidence base and to the broader humanitarian sector.
Background and rationale
Humanitarian operations increasingly rely on digital systems. However, the sector continues to face systemic digital challenges:
- Fragmented and non-interoperable systems
- High transaction costs from parallel data collection and coordination
- Over-reliance on proprietary vendors
- Limited access to deployable digital expertise
- Gaps in digital governance and data protection
While digitalisation is widely promoted as improving efficiency and accountability, there is limited rigorous evidence quantifying:
- Cost savings
- Time savings
- Reduced duplication
- Improved coordination efficiency
- Risk reduction (e.g., fraud, data breaches)
- Long-term sustainability gains
This research seeks to develop a practical and replicable framework to assess the systemic value of digitalisation interventions in humanitarian contexts.
Research topic
The research questions are defined in collaboration with the researcher, but they will be guided by the following core topic:
“To what extent can addressing systemic digital challenges in humanitarian operations – including interoperability gaps, fragmentation, limited field-ready digital expertise, vendor dependency, and weak data governance – generate measurable efficiency gains, cost savings, and coordination improvements, and how can these impacts be systematically and replicably assessed?”
Develop a replicable humanitarian-specific framework for measuring efficiency gains and cost savings from digital interventions (interoperability, advisory capacity, procurement, data governance, etc.).
- Apply the framework to ERC's HumX and DigiCap initiatives through qualitative and/or quantitative analysis.
- Produce practical outputs including indicators, data collection tools, and a methodology guide usable by other humanitarian organizations.
- Present findings to ERC's team and selected external stakeholders.
Specific deliverables and timelines will be agreed upon at the inception of the work.
Senior Researcher track:
- Doctoral degree in a relevant field (information systems, public policy, development studies, economics, data science, or similar)
- At least 5 years of research and development experience, preferably as PI
- Active employment contract (minimum 0.5 FTE) at a positively evaluated research or academic institution (Estonian or internationally ENIC/NARIC-recognized university)
- Strong analytical skills and experience in applied research and framework development
- Familiarity with humanitarian operations, digital systems, or international development is a strong asset
- Excellent written English
PhD / Knowledge-Transfer Student track:
- Currently enrolled in or recently completed a PhD program at an ENIC/NARIC-recognized university
- Research background in relevant fields (information systems, public policy, development studies, economics, data science, or similar)
- Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and produce structured analytical outputs
- Interest in humanitarian digitalization, data governance, or systems thinking
- Excellent written English
Senior Researcher track:
- Gross salary starting from 3500 EUR/month (full-time equivalent)
- Duration: 6 months
- Flexible, fully remote working arrangement
PhD / Knowledge-Transfer Student track:
- Gross salary starting from 2300 EUR/month (full-time equivalent)
- Duration: 6 months
- Flexible, fully remote working arrangement