The scoping study on the ‘International Ombuds1 for Humanitarian and Development Aid’ was commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a contribution to the work of the Ad Hoc Donor Technical Group on Safeguarding, set up in the wake of the sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment scandals that emerged in 2018. The aim of the study was to assess whether there is a need for such a mechanism and, if so, how it might function and fit with existing governance mechanisms in the sector 2 . The study was carried out in August and September 2018 by a three-person team with diverse experience, supported by a small advisory group.