International Governance Legal advisor

Title: International Governance Legal advisor

Location: any MSF offices

Contract: permanent-full time

Starting day: Asap

Deadline for applications: 12.01.2025

Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract.

*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application.

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 27 associations and 18 branch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

Within MSF International, the International Office (IO) is the Secretariat of MSF International Board and is under the direct management of the Secretary General.

The International Legal Department (ILD) is currently the only intersectional department of MSF; its field of expertise is varied, including international humanitarian law (IHL), registration, taxes, medico-legal issues, medical research, labour law, commercial law, trademarks and international governance.

II. POSITION BACKGROUND

The position of International Governance Legal advisor is based in ILD Unit 5 “Governance and trademarks”.

This ILD Unit is co-managed by two managers and is dedicated to providing legal support on governance matters, both associative and executive.

It includes 2 separate but interconnected areas of expertise:

• International and associative / executive governance,

• Trademark protection and fraud management.

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

The International Governance Legal advisor will respond to legal queries in its area of expertise. His/her role, in close connection with Unit managers, will be to:

• Provide legal and strategic advice on governance issues to various requesters,

• Carry out legal risks analysis on international governance and rules / regulations of countries of incorporation,

• Legally review corporate and institutional documents,

• Participate in the elaboration of governance tools and policies,

• Contribute to international projects and dossiers.

The International Governance Legal advisor will also play a key role in bridging possible gaps and ensuring engagement on governance-related topics throughout the movement.

IV. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic legal support and guidance to the IB, working groups (GWB, ASC) and bodies (IP, IGA).

• Provide legal support regarding the creation of new entities or reform of entities, ensuring coherence within the movement and compliance with IS/IR and governance framework.

• Participate in defining new policies, tools and regulations and follow-up their dissemination and implementation throughout the movement.

• Develop tools and guidelines to support the smooth implementation of governance regulations.

• Act as a focal point for governance related queries, linking with ILD Unit 5 members, but also other ILD Units, to coordinate responses and ensure consistency of ILD legal advisory.

• Contribute to the ILD Governance Index.

Disclaimer - allocation of dossiers and responsibilities are flexible and will be determined based on the skills, experience, and expertise of the selected candidate, allowing for potential reorganization to ensure optimal alignment with ILD Unit 5 team needs.

• Minimum of 5 years of overall professional experience, including 3 years as a lawyer or in-house legal advisor working on corporate law.

• Professional experience in the aid or development sector.

• French and English speaking mandatory.

• Prior MSF experience, with genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles and challenges of MSF.

• Cross-cultural awareness.

• Analytical thinking, with robust legal drafting skills in both French and English.

• Teamwork and cooperation.

• Flexible thinking and ability to adapt to different legal systems.

• Diplomatic sensitivity.

-Only short-listed candidates will be contacted-

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.