Consultancy for Legal Document Review and Translation

Job Title: Consultancy for Legal Document Review and Translation

Location: Ethiopia

Type of Contract: Individual Contract

Required number of candidates: 1

Language Required: English and Amharic

Deadline for Application: August 15, 2025

Expected Starting Date: August 17, 2025

Job Description

Context

MERSA Media Institute (MMI) is currently reviewing its core legal and operational documents, including financial, human resources, procurement and other governance frameworks. The organization has developed various documents in line with align Ethiopian legal frameworks — particularly the Ethiopian Labor Law and Civil Service provisions.

MMI would like to share such organizational documents to a regional partner CSO with the aim of adapting organizational practices mirroring MMI and fit to the partner CSO’s needs.

We are looking for a qualified consultant to help translate MMI’s documents and adopt to the specific needs of the partner organization. The job of the qualified legal consultant is to review, translate, and provide recommendations on these documents, while engaging with internal and external stakeholders to ensure accuracy, compliance, and usability.

Who can apply?

We are seeking an experienced legal professional with expertise in CSO law, Ethiopian Labor Law and Civil Service law, and a solid understanding of financial and organizational policy frameworks.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be a legal expert with proven experience in contract and policy review.
• Possess working knowledge of Ethiopian labor law, civil service provisions, and related legal frameworks.
• Be familiar with financial, procurement, HR, and organizational governance policies.
• Have strong skills in professional translation (English ↔ Amharic) of legal and policy documents.
• Be capable of engaging stakeholders to clarify implications of the legal documents and provide actionable feedback.
• Be able to adapt recommendations to ensure applicability across different regional settings where MMI and its partners operate.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Be able to deliver outputs in a timely and professional manner with minimal supervision.

Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for:

• Reviewing revised existing and new organizational documents (financial manual, HR manual, procurement and others) to ensure legal compliance and alignment with Ethiopian laws.
• Translating key documents between English and Amharic, ensuring accuracy of legal and technical terminology.
• Providing recommendations to strengthen the documents for better governance and compliance.
• Facilitating brainstorming and approval sessions with relevant stakeholders for each manual.
• Preparing and finalizing comprehensive operational manuals following the brainstorming and approval process.

Deliverables

1. Reviewed and finalized versions of organizational legal documents.
2. Translated documents (English ↔ Amharic) with verified accuracy.
3. Summary report highlighting key compliance gaps and recommended improvements.
4. Documentation of stakeholder engagement sessions and feedback incorporated.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Law (LLB or higher) with experience in labor law.
• Professional experience in legal review and advisory roles.
• Proven ability to translate and interpret legal and policy documents between English and Amharic.
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial and operational policies (HR, procurement, governance).

Who are we?

MERSA Media Institute is a nonprofit media policy think tank that works to help create vibrant, responsible, and independent media institutions, professional unions, and education centers through research, capacity building, and institutional support in Ethiopia.

How to apply

Qualified and interested experts are invited to submit the following to: mmi@mersamedia.org by August 15, 2025:

• A detailed CV highlighting relevant experience.
• A cover letter (1 page) summarizing your qualifications and approach to the assignment.
• At least one sample of relevant work (e.g., reviewed or translated policy/contract document).

Equal Opportunity

MERSA Media Institute is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and afford equal opportunities to employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.