Terms of Reference: For a Consultant to translate the Human Rights-Based Peace Dialogue Facilitation Manual into Amharic, Tigrigna and Afaan Oromo

Terms of Reference: 
For a Consultant to translate the Human Rights-Based
Peace Dialogue Facilitation Manual into Amharic, Tigrigna and Afaan Oromo

1. Background

The Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) is a board-led, not-for-profit organization registered in Ethiopia under the Civil Societies Proclamation No. 1113/2019 with registry number 4307. CARD envisions an Ethiopia where democratic culture flourishes based on human rights values. Its mission is to empower citizens and civic groups to promote and defend human rights and contribute to the building of democratic culture. 

Ethiopia continues to face complex and protracted conflicts, particularly in the Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray regions. These conflicts have resulted in widespread human rights violations, displacement, social fragmentation, mistrust, and polarization among communities, particularly among the youth. At the same time, youth remain critical actors in peacebuilding and social transformation.

In response to these challenges, CARD implemented the “Inter-Regional Human Rights-Based Dialogue for Peace” initiative, which brought together youth from Oromia, Amhara, and Tigray to engage in structured and inclusive dialogue processes grounded in human rights principles. The initiative demonstrated the importance and effectiveness of human rights-based dialogue (HRBD) in rebuilding trust, countering harmful narratives and strengthening youth engagement in peacebuilding.

Building on lessons learned from the first phase, CARD is implementing the continuation project titled “Inter-Regional Human Rights-Based Dialogue for Peace II”. One of the key components of the project is the development of a practical, inclusive, and conflict-sensitive human rights-based peace dialogue facilitation manual to strengthen the capacity of youth peace ambassadors and facilitators engaged in community-level and inter-regional peace dialogue initiatives.

As part of the project, CARD has developed a human rights-based peace dialogue facilitation manual that will serve as a practical resource for youth peace ambassadors and dialogue facilitators. To ensure that the manual is accessible to diverse communities across the country, CARD seeks to translate the manual into Amharic, Tigrigna and Afaan Oromo.

CARD therefore invites qualified translators or translation firms to undertake high-quality translation of the manual while ensuring technical accuracy, cultural appropriateness, and consistency of terminology.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to translate the Human Rights-Based Peace Dialogue Facilitation Manual from English into Amharic, Tigrigna, and Afaan Oromo. The translation should accurately reflect the meaning and intent of the original content while preserving its human rights and peacebuilding principles. It should also be clear, culturally appropriate, and easy to understand that youth facilitators and community dialogue participants can use the manual effectively.

3. Objectives

The specific objectives of the assignment are to:

• Translate the Human Rights-Based Peace Dialogue Facilitation Manual into Amharic, Tigrigna and Afaan Oromo.

• Maintain the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of technical terminology related to human rights, peacebuilding, conflict sensitivity, dialogue, and facilitation.

• Ensure that the translated texts are culturally appropriate, easy to understand, and suitable for youth audiences and community facilitators.

• Produce publication-ready translated versions after incorporating comments from CARD.

4. Scope of Work

The selected translator(s) will be expected to:

• Review and familiarize themselves with the English version of the manual.

• Translate the complete manual into the assigned language(s).

• Ensure consistency in terminology throughout the translation.

• Adapt language where necessary to maintain clarity while preserving the meaning of the original text.

• Conduct thorough proofreading and quality assurance before submission.

• Revise the translated documents based on comments and feedback provided by CARD.

• Submit final publication-ready versions in editable Microsoft Word format.

5. Deliverables

The consultant shall deliver:

• Translated Human Rights-Based Peace Dialogue Facilitation Manual in:

  • Amharic

  • Tigrigna

  • Afaan Oromo

• Final edited and proofread versions incorporating CARD's feedback.

• Glossary of key technical terms used in the translation (if applicable).

6. Duration of the Assignment

The assignment is expected to be completed within 10–15 calendar days from the date of contract signing.

7. Required Qualifications

The translator(s) should possess:

• A bachelor's degree or higher in Languages, Linguistics, Translation Studies, Social Sciences, Law, Human Rights, Peace and Conflict Studies, or a related field.

• Demonstrated professional experience in translating English into Amharic, Tigrigna, and/or Afaan Oromo.

• Proven experience translating technical documents related to human rights, governance, peacebuilding, democracy, development, or social sciences.

• Excellent command of English and the target language(s) including grammar, spelling and style.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain consistency in terminology.

• Previous experience working with NGOs, civil society organizations or international organizations is an advantage.

8. Reporting and Supervision

The translator(s) will work closely with CARD's project team and will report directly to the assigned project coordinator. CARD will review the translated documents and provide feedback, which the translator(s) will be expected to address before final submission.

9. Application Requirements

Interested consultants should submit the following to apply@cardeth.org no later than July 7, 2026 with: 

• A technical proposal outlining their understanding of the assignment and translation approach.

• Financial proposal indicating the cost of translation (per language or for the complete assignment).

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).

• Samples of previous translation work, preferably related to human rights, peacebuilding, governance, or development (if available)

Please indicate “Application for Translating the Human Rights-Based Peace Dialogue Facilitation Manual into [Language]” in the subject line of your email application.