Provide legal advice in support of MSF intersection DBWI operations in Ethiopia. Identify legal constraints and obligations applicable to MSF, assessing the risks and constructively and proactively providing legal advice and timely practical solutions to resolve legal issues based on a sound knowledge and up-to-date understanding of both applicable laws and regulations and MSF operations.

 Duties and Responsibilities

In cooperation with and under the technical supervision of the ILD referent, being in charge of (non-exhaustive):

• Constructively and proactively provide legal advice, opinions, and guidance on all kinds of legal matters.

• Identify key legal issues, ensure that the concerns of the operational and other teams and external counsels are streamlined to achieve the desired results and timely offer adequate solutions adapted to the organization’s specificities to resolve legal issues.

• Work effectively with mission- and desk level management and other internal and external stakeholders, including ministries and other authorities and partners.

• Implement and manage legal risk management strategies, maintain and regularly update a risk analysis, including all actual and potential legal and administrative impediments and blockages.

• Advise on and participate in corporate governance and corporate housekeeping matters in collaboration with MSF compliance officers, actively participate in the design and maintenance of the legal set-up and structure; 

• Apply for, maintain and renew necessary licenses, certificates, permits and approvals for the presence and conduct of operations, advice on and work effectively through applicable administrative procedures, including importation and customs clearances.

• Advise on, draft, review and negotiate agreements, including memoranda of understanding, partnership agreements, service agreements, service level agreements, procurement agreements, lease agreements, deeds and legal notices and other legal documents such as internal regulations, visa application packages, dismissals, notices and other HR, finance and supply related agreements and documents.

• Develop, maintain, keep up-to-date and promote the use of legal template database. 

• Manage litigation and liaise with external counsel as necessary to drive to resolution. Report to management and supervisors on case file progress. Maintain and manage litigation files, ensure timely filings, submissions and other procedural requirements. Supervise and manage external counsel in terms of engagement terms and billing, procedural deadlines, court representation, review of court filings, including timely collecting and submitting substantive input from other stakeholders.

• Manage litigious and non-litigious legal matters, and document filing and retention.

• Provide training to teams on legal and compliance matters.

• Monitor, keep up-to-date with relevant changes in all relevant laws and regulations (including corporate law, tax laws, immigration laws, financial laws, labor laws) and timely update and advise management and supervisors accordingly on impact on and any risks for MSF in country set-up and operations.

• Manage, maintain and update the Sharepoint Legal Platform, preserving legal privilege. Responsibilities include uploading documents, organizing folders and approving/denying access requests.

• Maintain and update the mission’s risk register and share monthly with management, and update the litigation and liability overview as requested by HQ referents.

• Prepare and circulate monthly SitReps by the end of each month to all internal stakeholders, including management and supervisors.

• Complete ILD time assessment tool every month.

• Organize and attend bi-weekly meeting with ILD referent, and meeting with supervisor every month. 

• Attend and actively participate in management meetings as frequently as possible.

• Upon request, attend and actively participate in Interdesk meeting, only under supervision of the ILD referent.

• Conduct project visits as proposed and organized by management

• Number of Position:  One 

• Place of work:      Addis Ababa

• Terms of employment: One Year with possibility of extension

• Activity Rate :   100%

• Remuneration and Benefits:

• Starting gross salary/month: 2710 USD will be paid in equivalent Ethiopian  birr

• Medical Coverage : as per organizational scale

• Date of  application: 15 August  -26 August 2025

Job Requirements

Education

• Essential graduate degree in law, with sufficient knowledge of administrative, labor, contract and tax laws.

Experience

• A minimum of four years' experience as an in-house counsel or practicing attorney, including experience working with a non-governmental organization (NGO). Experience with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an asset

Languages                                

• Mission language essential(English). 

Knowledge

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel, power point and internet)

1. Competencies

• Strategic vision L2

• Planning and Organizing L4

• Leadership L2

• People Management and Development L3

• Service Orientation L3

• Analytical Thinking L4

• Teamwork and Cooperation L4

How To Apply

Interested applicants shall submit their non-returnable up to date CV and application letter including photocopies of all supporting documents  to the address given below:

Apply using THIS LINK

Please note that we only contact short-listed candidates with the required documents allowed to attend further assessment.

Sincerity of Declarations and Documents Submitted to MSF

Use of false documents to gain employment with MSF will lead to automatic cancelation from the recruitment process and if found after employment it will lead to termination.

Female Candidates are highly encouraged to apply.