The Humanitarian Encyclopedia is an interface of the humanitarian and academic sectors. Two groups, therefore, constitute the governance of the project to guide its design and implementation: the Advisory Board and the Scientific Committee.

The Advisory Board includes representatives from a large range of humanitarian organisations with a mix of personal experience, professional expertise, geographical locations, and cultural origins. It is currently composed of 20 representatives from 16 operational organizations and 4 humanitarian support groups. Its role is to:
- Critically examine the development of the project
- Provide strategic direction
- Offer advice and provide input at specific stages of the process
- Support outreach activities
- Develop new ideas for future activities

The Scientific Committee is composed of 21 scholars from research centres and academic institutions from around the world, who have an in-depth understanding of humanitarian action and come from a variety of disciplines and cultural backgrounds. Its role is to:
- Validate the annual research agenda
- Guarantee a sound research methodology and ensure quality
- Ensure that research ethical guidelines are respected
- Oversee the editorial process and participate in reviews as members of editorial committees