Develop and provide a web-based English-French central terminology and reference database

1. Background of the technical assistance mission

(Description of the need for action by underlining the added value of this assistance in terms of impact for the Organ and the global AGA-SP project.)

The primary role of the Language Unit of the ACtHPR is to ensure the accessibility in the working languages of the Court (English, French, Arabic and Portuguese) of all issues and documents submitted to the Registry for efficient decision-making aimed at the achievement of the Court’s mission. In this regard, the Unit seeks to ensure an accurate and effective flow of communication within the Registry, and also between the Court, its shareholders and the public, by providing the highest quality of translation and interpretation services to the Institution.

2. Objectives of the technical assistance mission

The ACtHPR is charged with the responsibility to protect and ensure the effective enjoyment of human and peoples’ rights in Africa. Since its operationalization in 2006, this AU organ has charted a viable path for the protection of human rights in Africa. Its establishment has brought renewed hope and optimism on the African continent, and since its operationalization, it has positioned itself firmly as one of the pivotal instruments in the quest for continental integration, peace, greater unity and solidarity, good governance, respect for human rights and development.

At the moment, the Registry is working to promote consistency and higher quality translations of judgments, advisory opinions and other decisions of the Court and improve the overall communication between the Institution, its staff, partners and other stakeholders by managing its terminology. For this purpose, a Consultant Terminologist is required to work collaboratively with staff in the Language Unit and relevant divisions/departments to develop a web-based English-French Central Terminology and Reference Database. The consultant will also be requested to develop and provide off-the-shelf electronic language tools needed for the smooth linguistic functioning of the Institution. The Project is facilitated by the ACtHPR’s Registry.

3. Participants and institutions involved

The main participants will be the Judges and Legal staff of the Court, who are engaged on a daily basis in developing the jurisprudence and terminologies of the Court. Inspiration shall be drawn from similar institutions from the continent as well as globally.

4. Expected results and deliverables of the technical assistance mission

The consultant is expected to perform the following assignments:

1. Conduct specific terminology research to set up, populate and provide a web-based English-French Central Terminology and Reference Database that will provide ad hoc assistance as required by linguists (translators, revisers, editors, interpreters) and non-linguists in the Registry.
2. Host the Central Terminology and Reference Database on a private server and develop a system that allows external and internal collaborators to consult terminology and/or parallel texts and/or reference documents using a web browser.
3. Provide standardization services after spotting terminology deficiencies (research, knowledge generation and deployment).
4. Analyze, test and recommend language technology (computer-assisted translation and terminology tools) to staff of Language Unit.
5. Liaise with the Legal Division for the purpose of developing a web-based reference database to provide reference documents needed to ensure uniform and accurate translations, and especially to identify quotes, titles and available source material.
6. Gather, analyze, and file in a web-based database previously translated texts (parallel texts), important documents, relevant source documents and publications for instant retrieval.
7. Collect sample language data, analyze and clean up TMs, feed glossaries into Systran PNMT engine.
8. Build and deploy customized Systran PNMT engine and plugin for NMT specific for legal translation.
9. Test and document the results of trained Systran PNMT engine.
10. Analyze Systran PNMT engine output for quality improvements.
11. Create a web-based TM from the translation of large ACtHPR volume publication.
12. Implementation of a PDF user guide and video tutorial explaining how to use the English-French Central Terminology and Reference Database and the Off-The-Shelf Electronic Language Tools.

• Ensure that the databases are populated with useful data needed by linguists (translators, revisers, editors, interpreters) and legal officers in the Registry.

The consultant is expected to perform the following duties after his assignment for a fee:

1. Manage, enrich and maintain remotely the web-based Central Terminology and Reference Database and Translation Memory.
2. Prepare and upload remotely before and/or after every session terminology and reference updates for linguists and non-linguistic staff of the Registry.
3. Keep on training the Systran PNMT engine output for quality improvements.

Deliverables

i. Web-Based Terminology Database

ii. Web-Based Parallel Texts Database

iii. Web-Based Reference Documents Database

iv. Web-Based Translation Memory

v. Neural Machine Translation System

vi. Plugin for NMT (Number of users to be identified)

5. Profile of the non key expert

The ideal consultant will have the following academic and professional qualifications and skills:

a. Hold at least a Master’s degree or its equivalent in translation, foreign languages or any closely related discipline. Qualifications in Terminology Management and/or Machine Translation would be an added advantage.

b. Have a minimum of six (6) years practical experience in translation and/or terminology), at least three (3) of which should have been spent working in or with an international organization.

c. Experience in Neural Machine Translation or sequence-to-sequence models.

d. Strong analytical skills and language technology experience.

e. Experience in computational linguistics, language data processing, semantics, or syntax.

f. Open-mindedness and willingness to learn.

g. Research and terminology development skills.

h. Full knowledge of industry-leading computer-assisted translation, TM and terminology tools (e.g. MultiTrans, SDL Trados Studio SDLMultiterm, MemoQ, etc.)

i. Proficiency in translation of documents into French/English or English/French.

j. Ability to work with standard Microsoft software used in the Court.

k. Practical knowledge of terminology management applications.

l. Ability to communicate excellently (written and oral) in English and French.

m. Demonstrated strong project management ability and excellent communication skills- References and examples of past work are required and should be included in the proposal.

n. Language: the consultant should speak French and English, speaking other working languages of the African Union will be an advantage.

6. Dates and location of the technical assistance mission

The duration of the project will be approximately 30 days spread over a period of 3 months divided in 3 phases. Depending on the stage of the project and the nature of each assignment, each phase may be further divided into sub-phases.**

i. Phase 1: Data compilation.

ii. Phase 2: Data processing and organization**

iii. Phase 3: Data storage and retrieval

The project will have a guaranteed minimum duration of 3 months during which the consultant will have to ensure the proper functioning of the Central Terminology and Reference Database & the Off-The-Shelf Electronic Language Tools and solve any problems that may arise during the operationalization of the system. It should be noted that the assignment will require travels to the seat of the Court in Arusha, the United Republic of Tanzania.