Request for Bids: Translation Services

Viamo in Rwanda

About us

Globally, nearly 3 billion people are disconnected from the internet, about half of the world’s population. Entire communities are underrepresented and without critical timely access to information. But these communities do have simple mobile phones and a desire to connect to the world.

Viamo’s Platform and services provide the connection to spark life-changing information exchanges, offering services for the international development and business sectors.

Viamo has been in Rwanda since 2017. Mobile penetration rates show a steady increase in recent years with 89.3% mobile subscriptions and 71% of households owning a mobile phone. This is higher than radio or television ownership, which is 40.4% and 13.6% respectively.

Given Viamo’s existing penetration in this market, relationship with telecoms, and use of Interactive Voice Response (IVR), we are uniquely positioned to work in this context. In 2023 to date we have reached 2.3 million people in Rwanda through our services, with 70 million key messages. With offices located in Kigali, Viamo is firmly committed to and experienced in making the path to digital easy for our partners

Translation Services: Scope of Work

Viamo is looking for an experienced, reliable and accurate individual or firm to provide translation services from English to Kinyarwanda. We are looking for a fully tax/EBM compliant Translator/translation company to interpret written pieces, making sure to maintain the original meaning, format and tone.

Responsibilities include reading and thoroughly understanding the context of given material, using specialized dictionaries and translation tools as required, and proofreading finished pieces of work. We require a person / firm with a keen eye for detail and fluency in English and Kinyarwanda at minimum.  You will provide ready-to-use translated content that meets our internal standards and helps us reach our intended audience.

The translator / translation company will be required to:

• Read given material and maintain a good working knowledge of specific terminology (health, education, economic development, gender, etc.)
• Convert text from one language to one or more others
• Ensure translated content conveys original meaning and tone
• Prepare subtitles for videos and online presentations
• Cross-reference specialized dictionaries and translation tools to check quality of translation
• Proofread translated texts for grammar, spelling and punctuation accuracy
• Follow up with internal team members and clients to ensure translation meets their needs
• Edit content while maintaining its original format (e.g. font and structure) wherever possible.

Requirements

• Proven work experience as a Translator, Interpreter or similar role
• Fluency in at least two languages (English, Kinyarwanda)
• Fluency in Swahili, French, Kirundi highly desirable
• Excellent proofreading skills with the ability to identify grammar, spelling and punctuation errors
• Good knowledge of content editing tools
• Familiarity with translation software
• Time-management skills
• Relevant academic qualifications
• Registered as a business and tax/EBM compliant in Rwanda.

How to apply

To apply please send a narrative proposal outlining services offered, including the average timing required for translations, languages offered, any specialist services. Please include a curriculum vitae for personnel, a company profile (and proof of registration) and two professional / company references along with a budget proposal (per page and per word of translation) to sarah.uwineza@viamo.io and  arielle.razafimahefa@viamo.io  and cc procurement@viamo.io

Application deadline: 13th November 2023

Data from STAT Compiler / DHS program (https://www.statcompiler.com/en/index.html)