Terms of reference: Traditional Justice Expert

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is seeking a qualified traditional justice expert to develop a legislative drafting reference guide for integrating traditional justice mechanisms into Ethiopia’s transitional justice process and frameworks.

Ethiopia’s customary justice systems – spanning diverse communities across Oromia, Amhara, Tigray, Somali, Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz, Sidama and other regions – are essential forums for dispute resolution, social harmony and communal reconciliation. The country’s 2024 Transitional Justice Policy acknowledges the need to integrate these mechanisms into the transitional justice framework.

However, Ethiopia lacks operational guidance for legislative integration, including on jurisdiction, oversight, human rights alignment, harmonisation with formal courts, and participation of vulnerable groups.

ISS seeks a traditional justice expert to analyse Ethiopia’s customary mechanisms, assess their compatibility with transitional justice pillars, and co-draft legislative models for integration.

• Provide expert analysis on traditional justice systems in Ethiopia and Africa
• Identify regional variations, institutional structures, procedures and normative practices
• Evaluate compatibility with constitutional and human rights standards
• Co-draft sections of the Legislative Drafting Reference Guide with the ISS lead researcher and a transitional justice expert

• Conduct a comprehensive mapping of Ethiopia’s traditional justice systems, including structures, procedures and leadership models based on a literature review and key informant interviews
• Analyse compatibility challenges between customary norms and Ethiopia’s constitution, human rights obligations, AU Transitional Justice Policy and AU normative frameworks
• Identify potential roles for traditional justice mechanisms with regard to accountability, truth-seeking, reparations, institutional reform and mental health and psychosocial support
• Document promising practices and gaps from regional and comparative African contexts

Draft a guide with the following sections:

• Customary courts and dispute-resolution bodies
• Elders’ councils
• Jurisdictional mandates
• Procedural safeguards
• Referral, appellate and oversight mechanisms
• Measures to prevent manipulation, coercion or harmful practices

• Integration across the transitional justice pillars
• Integration with formal institutions
• Rights-compliant customary procedures

Contribute to annexes, case studies, matrices and technical tools.

• Engage with elders, community justice institutions, regional bureaus, MoJ, EHRC, CSOs and community-based organisations
• Participate in drafting workshops and national validation sessions
• Revise inputs based on feedback

The drafting process will consist of five stages:

Prerequisite research phase:

The consultant will undertake a comprehensive mapping of traditional justice systems, identify regional variations, and analyse normative compatibility with transitional justice. No field work or travel is expected.

Drafting the legislative guide:

The expert will, in collaboration with the transitional justice specialist and the ISS lead researcher, produce a comprehensive first draft of the legislative guide on integrating traditional justice mechanisms into the transitional justice process in Ethiopia.

Internal drafting retreat (two days):

The expert will participate in a two-day drafting meeting with the ISS lead researcher and transitional justice specialist to jointly review and refine the first draft. This collaborative session will ensure that customary perspectives are fully integrated across all legislative drafting components.

External validation workshop:

The jointly drafted guide will be presented at a validation workshop convened by ISS and the Ministry of Justice. The consultant will engage with stakeholders, present technical findings, and incorporate reviewer feedback.

Finalisation and submission:

The consultant will support the integration of validation inputs and contribute to the final revised version for submission to ISS.

• Mapping report and analytical inputs
• Draft guide on customary justice integration
• Model clauses on customary courts and TJM–TJ linkages
• Annexes, case studies and matrices
• Final consolidated guide

• Master’s degree or PhD in law, anthropology, legal pluralism, customary law, human rights, or related fields
• Minimum 10 years’ experience working on traditional or customary justice systems
• Demonstrated research experience in Ethiopia’s customary institutions is highly preferred
• Strong understanding of African comparative customary law and AU norms
• Proven ability to engage sensitively with community authorities and vulnerable groups
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills

The consultant will report to the ISS lead researcher. Regular coordination meetings are required.

The applicant(s) is/are requested to submit a technical and financial offer. The technical proposal should not exceed five pages, and must include:

• A cover letter with an expression of interest and a brief description of relevant experience in conducting similar assignments
• A proposal outlining the approach, including the proposed methodology and the overall approach and methods suggested
• A work plan with estimated working days
• A financial offer indicating the daily rate
• A brief Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the applicant(s), including three references

The ISS invites qualified experts to submit their proposal in English no later than 22 March 2026 to the email: addisjobs@issafrica.org, indicating ‘Traditional Justice Consultancy’ in the subject line. Complete proposals will be assessed based on the qualifications and experience of the consultant(s), quality of the methodology proposed and cost-effectiveness.

Due to the volume of submissions, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted