Senior Sign Language Expert (Consultant)

Vacancy announcement: Federal Government Of Somalia seeks a Senior Sign Language Expert (Consultant) for their operations in Mogadishu. The role requires a skilled individual with 6 - 7 years of experience in Consultancies or a related field. This position closes on Apr, 20. Apply now to be considered. Federal Government of Somalia Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MOECHE) Terms of Reference (TOR) for Senior Sign Language Expert (Consultant) Job title Senior Sign Language Expert (Consultant) Location Mogadishu, Somalia Reporting to Director of Inclusive Education at MOECHE. Duration 60 Days 1. Background The Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MoECHE) is advancing inclusive education as a national priority, in line with the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP 2022–2026) and the National Transformation Plan (NTP 2025–2029), which emphasize equitable access, participation, and learning outcomes for all children, including children with disabilities. These national frameworks underscore the need to strengthen systems, policies, and practices that ensure no child is excluded from education. As part of this commitment, MoECHE is prioritizing the development of inclusive education approaches that respond to the specific needs of different groups of learners. Among these, children with hearing impairments face significant barriers to accessing and participating in education, largely due to the absence of a standardized and nationally recognized Somali Sign Language system, as well as limited availability of appropriate teaching and learning resources. To address this gap, the Ministry is leading the development of a National Somali Sign Language (SSL) Framework, aimed at establishing a standardized system for communication, instruction, and learning for deaf and hard-of-hearing learners. This includes the development of a unified lexicon, linguistic structures, and guidance materials to support consistent use across schools and communities. This initiative is further supported through the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), under the Girls’ Education Accelerator (GEA), which contributes to strengthening inclusive education systems by addressing barriers to participation and learning for marginalized groups, including childr === Skills & Qualifications === Required Qualifications and Experience • Advanced degree in Linguistics, Sign Language Studies, Deaf Studies, or related field. • Over 6 years in sign language development, lexicon standardization, and linguistic analysis • Proven experience working with deaf communities and inclusive education programs • Strong understanding of Somali culture, and socio-linguistic context. • Fluent in Somali language; both speaking, writing and reading • Experience in developing technical frameworks, guidance documents, and manuals • Proven capacity to facilitate technical workshops and stakeholder consultations • Experience in training design and capacity building • Strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills 5. Duration and Duty Station. The consultancy will be conducted over a period of two (2) months, from mid-April to mid-June 2026. The duty station will be Mogadishu, Somalia, with possible travel to Federal Member States as needed. --- About Mogadishu --- Mogadishu, known locally as Muqdisho, is the capital of Somalia and the country's largest city. It serves as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the nation. The city hosts the headquarters of numerous UN agencies, international NGOs, and government institutions, offering diverse career opportunities for development and humanitarian professionals. Ereyada Soomaaliga (Somali Keywords): Shaqo Muqdisho • La-talinta • La-talin • Shaqo Cusub

Required Qualifications and Experience • Advanced degree in Linguistics, Sign Language Studies, Deaf Studies, or related field. • Over 6 years in sign language development, lexicon standardization, and linguistic analysis • Proven experience working with deaf communities and inclusive education programs • Strong understanding of Somali culture, and socio-linguistic context. • Fluent in Somali language; both speaking, writing and reading • Experience in developing technical frameworks, guidance documents, and manuals • Proven capacity to facilitate technical workshops and stakeholder consultations • Experience in training design and capacity building • Strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills 5. Duration and Duty Station. The consultancy will be conducted over a period of two (2) months, from mid-April to mid-June 2026. The duty station will be Mogadishu, Somalia, with possible travel to Federal Member States as needed.

6. Submission of Applications Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications no later than 11:59:00 pm on April,20 2026 to the following email address: email: [email protected] The application should include: • Updated CV (for individual consultants) or company profile (for firms) • Cover letter outlining relevant experience and suitability for the assignment • Evidence of previous experience in similar assignments (including sample work, if available) • Financial proposal (lump sum) • For firms: Valid business registration/license and a valid Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Apply on [email protected] Apply at: mailto:[email protected]