Faith Specific Curriculum Adapter: International Law, Human Rights and Religion (Christian and Muslim Contexts)

Applicants must clearly indicate which profile they are applying for — Christian or Muslim — in the subject line of their email and in their cover letter. This ToR covers both profiles; each will be contracted and delivered separately, and an applicant may only be considered for the profile matching their own tradition and expertise.
Terms of Reference (ToR) & Call for Applications
1. Project Background
Faithful Futures is a joint initiative of Sabeel – Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center and Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR). The project seeks to engage and mobilise both Palestinian and Israeli faith communities in support of peacebuilding and a negotiated, just two-state solution based on international law.
Faith communities play a central role in shaping moral frameworks, public narratives, and social discourse in both societies. Building on this influence, the project strengthens the capacity of religious leaders and faith-based institutions to promote justice, equality, and human rights, while fostering constructive dialogue across religious and national divides.
The project is supported by the European Union and follows an evidence-based approach with a strong emphasis on measurable outcomes, accountability, and impact.
2. Project Objectives
The Faithful Futures project pursues two interrelated objectives:
Empowerment of Religious Leadership: To strengthen religious leaders and faith-based organisations in Israel and Palestine to promote teachings, discourse, and community engagement rooted in faith values that engage constructively with international law, universal human rights, justice, and equality.
Rebuilding Trust in Legal and Ethical Frameworks: To regenerate trust within faith communities in international law and universal human rights as frameworks that can contribute to justice and peace, while allowing for critical engagement, ethical reflection, and contextual negotiation.
3. Objective of this Consultancy
The project is currently developing a comprehensive, modular Core Curriculum Framework on International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Religion (the "Core Package", making up 60–70% of the final material). This Core Package establishes the pedagogical structure, the international law foundations, and the dilemma-based learning methodology across a 4-session blueprint.
We are now seeking two specialized Contextual & Theological Consultants (Adapters), one for the Christian context and one for the Muslim context, to each develop the Faith-Specific Inserts (30–40% of the total content) for their respective religious tradition. These are two separate roles; applicants apply for one profile only, matching their own tradition and expertise.

These inserts will serve as plug-and-play modules to ground universal human rights and international law concepts within the designated religious tradition.
4. Scope of Assignment & Methodology
The selected Consultant will work closely with the Lead Curriculum Developer The Academic Alliance for Reconciliation in the Middle East and North Africa (AARMENA), Sabeel, and Rabbis for Human Rights. Rather than writing a textbook from scratch, the Consultant's role is to localize, deepen, and theologically anchor the existing Core Package for their target audience, based on a blueprint for the "Faith-Specific Inserts" developed by the university.
Crucially, all drafting, collaboration, and deliverables under this contract must be completed in English, with the final approved English curriculum subsequently translated into Arabic/Hebrew and the translation approved by both the adapter and the Jena team. Theological Sourcing & Integration: identify, select, and translate/interpret foundational religious texts appropriate to the applicant's own tradition, Biblical and Patristic texts for the Christian profile, or Qur'an and Hadith for the Muslim profile, that speak directly to the core curriculum concepts of human dignity, justice, minority rights, and conflict resolution.

Roles and Approval
Jena University is responsible for pedagogical consistency and alignment with the Core Package. The Adapter is responsible for the theological, linguistic, and contextual accuracy of the faith-specific material. Sabeel and RHR hold final approval of all deliverables.
The Adapter may recommend changes to the Core Package, but may not independently alter its content. In case there is a need to adapt, communication must be made with the university.
Key Responsibilities & Tasks:
Developing "Faith-Specific Inserts" (30–40% of content): Draft specific theological modules in English that slot directly into the existing 4-Session Blueprint (Foundations, Intersections/Tensions, Contemporary Realities, and the Field Visit Guide).
Drafting Native Dilemmas: Design highly contextual, "dilemma-based" learning scenarios and case studies that reflect real debates happening within the applicant's own faith community (Christian or Muslim)
Pedagogical Alignment: Ensure that the interactive elements and discussion prompts match traditional theological study and debate styles native to the tradition, for example, communal reflection and homiletic styles for the Christian profile, or Tafsir and communal reflection styles for the Muslim profile.
Sanity Checking & Tone Calibration: Review the existing English Core Package to ensure the language, framing, and overall tone are respectful, resonant, and culturally sensitive to the target faith community.

5. The 4-Session Adaptation Structure
The Consultant will adapt and provide the faith-specific plug-ins in English for the following pre-defined session structure:
Session
Core Package Focus (Existing)
Your Contribution (Faith-Specific Insert)
Session 1: Foundations
Intro to International Law & Human Rights (IL/HR) through historical/legal dilemmas.
Theological equivalents of "covenant", "treaty", "justice", and "universal dignity" within the applicant's tradition (Christian or Muslim)
Session 2: The Intersection & Tension
Parallel values, structural friction, and critical discrepancies between IL/HR and religion.
Explicitly addressing the "hard questions": Where does religious dogma/traditional law enter into tension with secular human rights?
Session 3: Contemporary Contexts
Objective case studies from other international conflicts ("distant mirrors") applied to local reality.
Specific ethical and theological resources for addressing contemporary local conflicts, state authority, and majority-minority dynamics.
Session 4: Field Visit Guide
Framework for pre-trip prep, observation, and formal debriefing methodology.
Faith-specific reflection questions linking the physical visit to the religious duty of justice and human rights stewardship.

6. Guiding Principles: Embracing Complexity
No "Soft Harmonization": We explicitly reject a superficial "we all agree on everything" approach. The Consultant must confidently identify and address the genuine, difficult tensions, conceptual gaps, and structural discrepancies between religious tradition, national narratives, and universal human rights.
Sceptical Audience Value Proposition: Assume the target audience (faith leaders) may view international law with suspicion or political weariness. The materials must offer immediate practical value, such as sermon resources, community mediation tools, and leadership skills.
Linguistic Accessibility: While the core framework is written in English, the style must remain clear, engaging, and accessible to grassroots community leaders (equivalent to high school education), avoiding overly academic jargon.
7. Deliverables & Timeline
The Consultant will deliver:
A Set of Faith-Specific Inserts (30–40% of total curriculum content) fully integrated into the 4-Session structure, drafted in high-quality English.
Facilitation Support Material: Specific pedagogical instructions, debate guides, and theological references in English for the Facilitation Manual / ToT Guide.
Participation in a Joint Alignment Meeting: An in-person or virtual intensive onboarding and coordination session with the Lead Developer, Sabeel, and RHR in Jerusalem.
Participation in a Facilitator Training:
The Adapter must actively participate in a specialised training session on preparation and facilitation, delivered and led by the primary curriculum developer (Jena University). The training will equip the Adapter with the knowledge and skills required to effectively convey and apply the pedagogical methodology.
Facilitation of the Training of Trainers (ToT)
Following their own preparation, the Adapter will act as the lead facilitator in the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for the selected faith leaders of their respective religion.
This milestone ensures that local faith leaders are fully equipped, supported, and authorized to teach the adapted curriculum materials.
Attend selected study groups to support faith leaders and monitor and evaluate the practical implementation of the study materials prior to their review and finalisation.
Refinement Loop: Adjustments to the inserts in English following the "Target-Audience Piloting" (Quality Monitoring Loop 1).
Key Structural Dates:
Onboarding & Joint Alignment: (Mid-August 2026)
Kickoff meeting to align on the 4-session architecture, modular core, and faith-specific integration.
Drafting Phase: Sessions 1–3 (Rolling Submissions): (August – October 2026)
Development follows a strict rolling approval process to ensure quality control.
Dependency: The developer will submit Session 1 first. Work on subsequent sessions may only begin after receiving formal approval on the previous session's draft.
Submission: Full First Draft of Inserts (Sessions 1–3): (October 31, 2026)
Deadline for the complete, integrated draft of all classroom sessions, including the core frameworks and the 30–40% faith-specific inserts.
Submission: Adapted Field Guide (Session 4): (November 30, 2026)
Deadline for the practical field guide, including pre-trip preparation, thematic observation points, and debriefing frameworks.
Participation in facilitator training and ToT: (December 2026)
Review & Refinement Phase: (December 31, 2026)
Final collaborative review, adjustments based on institutional feedback, and sign-off on the complete curriculum package.
8. Required Qualifications & Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate:
An advanced degree in the relevant field for their profile, theology for the Christian profile, or sharia studies for the Muslim profile, religious education, or a closely related field, or equivalent recognized traditional/communal religious authority.

Deep, authentic familiarity with their own religious tradition (Christian or Muslim, matching the profile applied for).
Candidates should be widely respected within their community and recognized as suitable to train faith leaders and facilitators. While no individual is expected to have the support of every member of the community, they should have a reputation that inspires confidence and trust. Their involvement in the project should strengthen its credibility rather than create unnecessary controversy or division.
A strong, constructive understanding of international law, human rights, and social justice frameworks.
Proven experience in writing educational materials, curricula, or sermon-preparation guides, ideally for adult or faith-based audiences.
Sensitivity to the delicate political and religious majority-minority dynamics within the Israeli-Palestinian context.
Language Requirements:
Source Language Fluency: Fluency in the native language of the respective target audience (Hebrew or Arabic) is mandatory to read and source original theological texts.
English Language Requirement: Excellent, fluent written and spoken English is strictly required for all drafting, reporting, and coordination with the project team. Candidates who do not possess native or professional-grade written English must integrate and fund a qualified translator within their financial proposal to ensure all deliverables meet professional English standards.
9. Application Procedure
Interested candidates should submit their applications to [email protected] and include the tor they are replying for.
Submission deadline: 20 August 2026
Please include:
Cover letter outlining your theological approach to human rights within your tradition.
CV highlighting relevant educational and community-focused achievements.
A short sample of writing (article, sermon guide, or curriculum excerpt) demonstrating your ability to translate complex theological concepts into accessible language.
Financial proposal:
The consultant shall submit an All-inclusive Lump Sum fee for the entire adaptation process. This flat fee is fully comprehensive and represents the sole compensation for all work under this agreement.
Specifically, this lump sum covers:
Professional Honorariums: All hours dedicated to research, drafting, and adaptation.
Meetings & Coordination: All alignment and review sessions with the project team and partners.
Language Services: All translation, editing, and proofreading services required to deliver final, high-quality English outputs.
Facilitator Training & ToT Delivery: The adapter's active participation in the preparatory facilitator training hosted by Jena University, as well as their role facilitating the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for local faith leaders.
No additional fees, daily rates, or separate billing will be accepted for any of the above activities, as they are fully integrated into the contract package.
Faithful Futures is an equal opportunity initiative. We highly encourage local scholars, educators, and religious leaders from all backgrounds to apply.
Annex Time Table The Academic Alliance for Reconciliation in the Middle East and North Africa (AARMENA)
Timeframe
Task
By the end of September 2026
Curriculum Development (First Draft): The Core Study Sessions will be shared with the Adapter on a rolling basis, as each is approved by Sabeel. Upon receipt of each session, the Adapter is expected to promptly develop the corresponding Faith-Specific Insert.
By the end of October 2026
Field Guide: The Adapter will contribute faith-specific reflection questions and content to the Field Guide accompanying Session 4, in coordination with the project team.
By the end of November 2026
Training Materials: The Adapter will provide theological references, discussion prompts, and tradition-specific guidance for inclusion in the Facilitation Guide / ToT Manual.
Beginning of December 2026
Training of Facilitators (Jerusalem): The Adapter will participate in an in-person Training of Trainers session in Jerusalem, in preparation for leading the Training of Trainers within their own faith community.
Immediately following, December 2026
Pilot Training of Trainers: The Adapter will deliver a two-day pilot Training of Trainers for their respective faith community, with mentoring and support provided by the project team.
January 2027
Monitoring & Evaluation: The Adapter will apply the project's Monitoring & Evaluation Toolkit to support the assessment of the pilot's outcomes.
Beginning of 2027
Study Groups Launch: The Adapter will support facilitators as they begin delivering study groups within the community, assist in collecting participant feedback, and contribute to any necessary refinements of the Faith-Specific Insert material.