Background
AGRA is an African-led alliance focused on putting smallholder farmers at the center of the continent’s growing economy by transforming agriculture from a solitary struggle to survive into farming as a business that thrives. Founded in 2006, at a time when agricultural development was emerging from a 20-year decline characterized by minimal growth and investment in the sector, AGRA’s mission is to catalyze and sustain an agricultural transformation in Africa through innovation-driven productivity increases and access to markets and finance that improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
The African Agricultural Transformation Initiative AATI is an initiative co-founded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), McKinsey & Company, and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the African Agricultural Transformation Initiative (AATI) on July 5, 2022 that seeks to establish new and strengthen existing national delivery mechanisms to support agricultural transformation policies and programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa. Collaborating in the transition of the management of AATI’s Agriculture Transformation Office (ATO) operations in Tanzania from IFAD, AGRA and IFAD signed a Contribution Agreement on April 17, 2025, where AGRA has agreed to host and support the ongoing activities of Tanzania ATO based on the workplan and budget and in alignment with national agricultural priorities. As part of this agreement, AGRA wishes to engage a consultant for the position of Translator to work in Tanzania ATO as per the terms and conditions of this agreement, Terms of Reference, and Tanzania ATO Workplan.
It is against the above backdrop; AGRA invites qualified consultants to submit proposals to provide accurate, context-sensitive translation of the Agricultural Master Plan and other relevant ATO documents from English to Swahili. Key deliverables, required competencies, and other essential details are provided below.
Objectives
To provide accurate, context-sensitive translation of the Agricultural Master Plan and other relevant ATO documents from English to Swahili. Additionally, the consultant will produce a well-written summary version of the AMP in Swahili that is accessible to a broad audience, including farmers, policymakers, and civil society.
Scope of Work
The Translator would work under the overall supervision of the ATO Director, direct supervision of the Communication Lead and will work in close coordination with livestock and fisheries analysts, the crops team, M&E, data management and admin teams. The Translator will perform the following tasks:
1. Read and review the Agricultural Master Plan document and propose a work plan and format to ATO.
2. Translate the selected and agreed sections of the Agricultural Master Plan (AMP), to be translated from English to Swahili, preserving technical accuracy and clarity.
3. Develop a simplified summary of the AMP in Swahili that can be shared with public, most especially farmers (a simplified, easily understandable and visual that is intended for a wider audience).
4. Translate additional short documents or communication materials (e.g., briefs, presentations, public messages) on an ad hoc basis as assigned by ATO.
5. Proofread and revise translated materials for consistency, tone, and cultural appropriateness.
6. Collaborate with the ATO communications team to ensure quality and alignment with strategic messaging.
Duration
The work will be conducted over a period of sixty (60 days) and the consultant shall explicitly indicate the level of effort needed for the tasks to be assigned.
Qualifications and Experience
The successful individual is required to meet the following criteria:
1. Bachelor’s degree in Translation, Linguistics, Communications, Agriculture, or related field.
2. Proven experience (minimum 5 years) in professional translation from English to Swahili, preferably in agriculture, development, or technical policy documents.
3. Excellent writing and editing skills in English and Swahili.
4. Demonstrated ability to translate technical terminology into language suitable for a general audience.
5. Demonstrated ability to translate technical terminology into language suitable for a general audience.
6. Excellent level (written and verbal) English and Kiswahili is required.
7. Exceptional proficiency in both English and Swahili, including grammar, syntax, and idiomatic usage.
8. Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
9. Ability to simplify complex information for diverse audiences
10. Cultural sensitivity and awareness in language use
11. Time management skills and ability to meet tight deadlines
12. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and relevant translation tools
13. Strong interpersonal and communication skills for collaboration with the ATO team.
