Job Opportunity: Research and Consultative Workshop on Business and Human Rights position available at Mizan Lawyers Center in Addis Ababa. Legal, Social Sciences and Community Service jobs in Ethiopia are in high demand. Apply now through GeezJobs - Ethiopia's leading job portal.

1. Background and Context

Mizan Lawyers Center (MLC), formerly known as Mizan Young Lawyers Center (MYLC), is a board-led Civil Society Organization established by ten public-spirited lawyers who graduated from Dilla University. The Center works to protect and promote access to justice and human rights through free legal aid services, advocacy, legal awareness and civic education initiatives, capacity building, and public interest litigation. The center has been registered by the Former SNNPR Attorney office and accorded legal personality with registry number 288/10/07 on January 20, 2015, and re-registered in the Sidama Regional State Attorney Office in 2025 as a local civil society organization under registration number 99.

Mizan Lawyers Center, with financial support from the Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations (CEHRO), is implementing a project aimed at strengthening the integration of a human rights-based approach within business operations in Hawassa City, Sidama Region. The project targets large and medium enterprises operating in Hawassa City and is grounded in the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGP) on Business and Human Rights, relevant African Union human rights instruments, and Ethiopian constitutional, labour, and environmental legislations.

Despite Ethiopia’s formal commitments to international and regional human rights standards, evidence from Mizan Lawyers Center’s legal aid services and strategic litigation demonstrates persistent violations of labour rights, environmental rights, and community rights linked to business activities in Hawassa City. This consultancy is designed to generate an evidence based baseline assessment to inform targeted interventions under the project and to facilitate a consultative workshop that validates findings and strengthens stakeholder ownership.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The overall objective of this assignment is to conduct a research on the level of awareness, commitment, and implementation of human rights principles among large and medium enterprises operating in Hawassa City, and to facilitate a consultative workshop based on the findings.

The specific objectives are to:

• Assess the current level of understanding and practical application of human rights-based approaches in business operations in Hawassa City,

• Identify key gaps, risks, and challenges related to labour rights, environmental protection, human right in general and community impacts arising from business activities,

• Map relevant stakeholders and existing accountability and monitoring mechanisms at the Hawassa City level, and 

• Validate the research findings and recommendations through a structured consultative workshop with key stakeholders.

3. Scope of Work

Under the technical supervision of Mizan Lawyers Center, the consultant shall perform the following tasks:

1. Design a research methodology and data collection tools, including surveys, interview guides, and focus group discussion frameworks, consistent with Business and Human Rights standards,

2. Conduct data collection through desk review, surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with CEOs, HR managers, business owners, workers’ representatives, relevant Hawassa City administration offices, and civil society organizations,

3. Analyse collected data to identify patterns, gaps, and priority human rights risks within business operations in Hawassa City,

4. Prepare a comprehensive assessment report with clearly articulated findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations,

5. Design and facilitate a consultative workshop in Hawassa City to present findings, gather stakeholder feedback, and build consensus on priority actions, and 

6. Incorporate feedback from the consultative workshop into the final research report.  

4. Deliverables

The consultant shall deliver the following outputs:

• Inception report detailing methodology, tools, work plan, and ethical considerations

• Draft research report,

• Facilitation of a consultative workshop, including agenda, presentation materials, and documented proceedings,

• Final research report incorporating stakeholder feedback, and 

• Executive summary suitable for donor reporting and stakeholder dissemination.

• All deliverables shall be submitted in English and in editable electronic format.

5. Duration and Timeline

The assignment shall be completed within a maximum period of 18 days, in alignment with the project timeline for the research assessment and analysis. A detailed schedule will be agreed upon at the inception stage.

6. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant shall report directly to the Program Manager of Mizan Lawyers Center. All deliverables are subject to review and approval by Mizan Lawyers Center.

• Duration: 18 days 

• Type of Engagement: Short-term consultancy

Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Educational qualification beyond LLB in Law, Human Rights, business and human right, Development Studies, Public Policy, or a related field.

2. At least three years of proven professional experience in human rights research, Business and Human Rights, labour rights, environmental justice, or related fields.

3. Demonstrated experience in conducting baseline studies, applied research, or evaluations for donor funded projects

4. Strong knowledge of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and relevant African and Ethiopian legal frameworks

5. Proven experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations or workshops

6. Strong analytical writing and communication skills

8.Ethical Standards and Confidentiality

The consultant shall adhere to strict ethical standards, including informed consent, confidentiality, and responsible data handling. All data, reports, and materials produced under this assignment shall remain the property of Mizan Lawyers Center and shall not be used for any other purpose without prior written consent.

How To Apply

Applicants interested can prepare their TECHNICAL (note more than 5 pages) and FINANCIAL (note more than one page) proposal and submit the same to: contact@mizanlawyers.org and Cc to: misganawtemesgienmtg@gmail.com and director@mizanlawyers.org - within 10 consecutive days of this announcement.