Legal Advisors

The role

The legal advisor gives technical legal advice to support MSF's medical work in the country. They identify legal constraints and obligations, assess risks, and recommend solutions.

What you will do

• Centralize legal issues and give legal advice
• Give reasoned legal opinions and practical solutions suited to MSF, including social, contract, fiscal and administrative law for NGOs
• Refer requests outside the Intersectional Legal Advisor's scope to the relevant ILD advisor
• Draft and revise HR documents, contracts and correspondence
• Promote and adapt ILD templates to local requirements
• Follow up litigation files and report progress to superiors and HR or Finance teams
• Manage individual risk and provide legal support to HR teams
• Liaise with sections and authorities such as labor offices, the Ministry of Health and Medical Order
• Follow up registration and operational licenses, advise on framework agreements, and prepare risk analyses
• Report regularly and write an end of mission report; recruit and supervise legal staff when applicable

Required qualifications

• At least 4 years' experience as an in-house lawyer or attorney, including experience in an NGO
• Experience with MSF or other international NGOs in lower-income countries
• Law degree; ideally a specialization in labor law
• Fluent in English and French
• Commitment to MSF's guiding principles and values
• Able to cope with high stress and work in stressful environments
• Strong team player who can work within a diverse team

Nice to have

• Knowledge of tax and/or commercial law

Benefits

• Salary and benefits as MSF employees
• Opportunities for professional growth across medical, non-medical and coordination streams
• Encouragement to complete multiple assignments

Before you apply

• Assignments often mean long hours, heavy workload, basic living conditions and chaotic or volatile environments
• Work may take place in active conflict or post-conflict settings with inherent security risks; staff must follow strict security rules
• Employment may depend on satisfactory reference checks and/or background screening

About the company

MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, an independent international organization providing medical care in more than 70 countries. MSF USA mainly handles staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy and communications.