Legal Advisor

CONTEXT 

The Intersectional Legal Department (ILD) is currently the only intersectional one of MSF. Primarily dedicated to support MSF operations, its field of expertise is varied, including international humanitarian law (IHL), medico-legal issues, medical research, labor law, commercial and administrative law, trademarks and international governance.  

Under the management of the Deputy General Director and the functional supervision of the Administrative and Legal framework (Unit 4) Manager of the ILD, the Legal Advisor provides direct legal support to operational teams regarding administrative and legal framework of MSF Operational Center Brussels (OCB) operations. 

As a Legal Advisor, you work in an integrated way with OCB and other OCs’ (Operational Centers’) Legal Advisors and with the Legal Unit manager of the ILD to ensure that OCB receives coherent and best quality support. 

Acting as legal advisor for OCB, you work in an integrated way with OCB legal advisors to support operational teams with regard to legal and administrative framework of the operations, and even more closely with the other legal advisor in charge of the same topic in OCB, sharing topics and responsibilities (country dispatch). 

Within the scope of your direct and delegated activities, as a legal advisor, you are responsible for the identification and assessment of the programmes’ overall legal risks and definition of strategies and mitigation measures. You ensure the coordination and coherence of the legal framework of all the different areas of activity of the Legal Unit, and participate in the development of legal policies related to these areas, in order to understand and manage the risk on the areas of the Legal Unit, including:  

• Registration of structures and individuals, and governance of MSF operational entities 

• Negotiations with national authorities: MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding), agreements and various exemptions (member of the SHIELD project: Sustainable and Humanitarian Intervention through Exemption and Legal Derogation) 

• Contracts and commercial relationship management to support operations 

• Support to the supply chain 

• Follow-up of various tax and administrative obligations, and management of various audits 

• Financial risk management and insurance coverage 

The position involves close collaboration with other lawyers in the ILD (whether in OCB or in other OCs), but also with the various OCB departments, as well as with the teams in the programmes and the international working groups. 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

The main activities are, in collaboration with the ILD team members: 

1. Participate in the definition of legal policies within the ILD:  

• Implement the strategy and participate with your management in the definition of legal policies by providing knowledge in your area of expertise 

• Ensure the proper application of the strategy, policies and objectives defined 

2. Provide advice and support to the operation teams at programme level and to the network of Legal Advisors, and on exceptional basis at HQ level:  

• Advise and manage issues related to the administrative and legal framework of missions with managers at headquarters and programme levels 

• Ensure the application of legal procedures 

• Manage litigation by providing appropriate solutions 

• Ensure the implementation of ILD tools to support the teams of the cells and projects: templates, guidelines, standard agreements, contracts, MOUs, etc. 

• Review legal documents 

• Support and advise other Legal Advisors within your scope 

3. Participate in legal projects:  

• Participate and play an active role in proposing and  implementing legal projects within the MSF international movement 

• Set up monitoring and reporting tools 

• Supervise interns, lawyers or MSF regional Legal Advisors involved in your files  

4. Transfer your legal skills:  

• Development and updating of training content related to the administrative and legal framework of the programmes 

• Conducting training modules for operational teams (cell and programmes)  

• Implementation, adaptation and dissemination of practical guides, legal notes and memo on all topics related to its activities, with the aim of empowering operational teams (MSF section and MSF International) on legal risk management  

5. Carry out legal monitoring on its specialties / priority subjects:  

• Capitalization, management of the legal watch and drafting of summary notes, memos, guides on priority topics under your specific responsibility 

REQUIREMENTS 

Education & Experience 

• Master’s Degree in Law preferably with a focus on private law 

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience as a lawyer or legal counsel, notably business law 

• Operational experience as a Legal Advisor in a humanitarian organization is mandatory; international experience is a strong asset 

• MSF experience is a strong asset 

Competencies 

• Rigor, clarity and ability to adapt to different legal systems, sense of priorities and organization 

• Ability to translate an operational negotiation into legal language 

• Ability to translate complex legal concepts and analysis into simple operational language 

• Stress management 

Strong IT skills (Microsoft 365 tools)  

Languages 

• Proficiency in French and English both written and spoken is mandatory 

• Good knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic is an asset 

Other 

• Willingness to travel overseas to visit projects, regional officers and MSF Operational Centres 

CONDITIONS 

• Expected starting date: as soon as possible 

• Location*: Brussels (Belgium) 

• *Due to legal administrative constraints, given the duration of the contract, candidates must already have the permanent right as Belgian or EU national, and/or valid work permit with mention of "Unlimited access to the labor market" to work in Belgium  

• Mobility: 2-3 visits per year to projects in countries of operations  

• Contract type: Fixed-term contract – Full-time 

• Contract duration: 12 months 

• Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ grid
• Meal vouchers – hospitalization insurance (DKV) - Group insurance – 100% reimbursement of public transport costs  

• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment 

• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments 

Deadline for applications: 18th of March 2026 

How to apply? 

➢ Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button  

➢ You will be directed to the online application form for this position 

➢ It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter (in pdf format)  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. 

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