Legal Officer

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is an international, not-for-profit research and development (R&D) organization that develops and delivers new treatments for neglected diseases affecting millions of the world’s poorest people.

Together with more than 200 public research and industry allies worldwide, we use the power of partnership, innovation, open science, and advocacy to find solutions to a great injustice: the lack of medicines for life-threatening diseases that disproportionately impact poor and marginalized people. Driven by collaboration, not competition, and by patients’ needs, not profits, we promote equitable access, foster inclusive and sustainable solutions, and advocate for a more effective global biomedical R&D system that meets the needs of neglected patients.

Since our inception, DNDi has delivered 13 new treatments for people with sleeping sickness, visceral leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, HIV, hepatitis C, and malaria that have saved millions of lives. We now aim to deliver an additional 15-18 new treatments by 2028 – addressing R&D gaps for neglected tropical diseases and viral infections, including new pandemic-prone diseases (such as COVID19) and climate-sensitive diseases (such as dengue) with a focus on the needs of patients in low- and middle-income countries.

With more than 240+ employees of 30+ nationalities located in nine offices on four continents, DNDi is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential parts of our culture and key drivers of our success. We encourage candidates of diverse profiles and backgrounds to apply.

The DNDi Strategy and Operations Department manages the DNDi corporate infrastructure globally (Finance; Human Resources; Information Systems and Technology; Legal Affairs; Alliance Management, Business Development, Procurement, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Facilities)) across its 8 locations. The Department plays a central role in DNDi’s compliance and performance and is the custodian of its Strategic Plan, its IST strategy, People Strategy, Diversity Equity and inclusion Strategy, and Code of Conduct.

Purpose of the position

DNDi manages numerous contracts with a variety of partners around the world, ranging from academia, research institutes, local government departments, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, CROs, consultants or donors. The drafting, finalization and management of these contracts require a dedicated professional with the appropriate legal qualifications necessary to design appropriate agreements encompassing the various activities of the organization (R&D in life sciences, fundraising, communication, IST, procurement, HR, administration and finance).

This role provides specialist services to operational line or project team, working within tried and tested policy, process, or practice, as well as solving routine and non-routine problems on a case by case/project basis, in consultation with other colleagues or supervisors.

The Legal Officer will work closely with Project Managers and other internal stakeholders, as well as external legal advisors (if and when required).

Specific Job Responsibilities:

• Draft, review and negotiate agreements and other legal documents (including CDAs, MTAs, various kinds of technical, preclinical and clinical Service Agreements, Clinical Trial agreements, MOU, collaboration agreements, etc.) in close collaboration with senior members of the Legal team and other internal stakeholders.
• Draft and develop new template agreements or update existing ones.
• Assist in the conduct of legal due diligence by identifying legal implications of contracts or any other binding documentation that need to be brought to the attention of the relevant Legal supervisor.
• Assist in personal data protection matters.
• Conduct legal research when needed or requested.
• Ensure consistency between interconnected contracts (e.g. confidentiality, intellectual property and licensing issues, donors’ and partners’ requirements).
• Ensure conformity with DNDi’s statutory and legal requirements, objectives, donors’ and partners’ requirements as well as with internal policies, processes.

• Assist in the development and launching of contract management information system tools, and regularly update the information in such tools.
• Maintain the contract database, assist in the development of this tool, retrieve data to issue reports, and ensure contract follow-up regarding extensions and amendments.

The above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and you may be required to undertake other responsibilities appropriate to your grade. This job description may be subject to review.

Reporting line

• The Legal Officer reports to the Senior Legal Counsel.

Interactions

• Works with the Legal team, and this role will work closely with Project Managers and other internal stakeholders. Has an external role focusing on exchanges of information and work with suppliers or officer level staff of partners and donors.

Job Requirements

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates good judgment and problem-solving competencies.

• Very good communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environments.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a multicultural team.

• Well organized and structured.

• Very good analytical skills.

• Ability to contribute to the project delivery under minimum supervision.

• Ability to manage small projects if delegated by upper levels with supervision.

• High level of professional ethics and integrity.

Experience

· Minimum of 3 years’ experience with graduate degree, at least one year with post graduate degree

· Experience (up to 3 years) in drafting, writing and editing legal contractual documents.

· Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and matrix structure.

· Experience of working in public and private sector is highly desirable.

· A previous experience with the pharmaceutical/biotech or alike industry legal affairs will be valued.

· A previous experience working on Personal Data Protection will be valued.

Education

• Graduate/Bachelor’s or post graduate degree in law.

Other Requirements

• Fluency in English.
• Proficiency in French is a plus.
• Very good knowledge of Microsoft Suite and proficiency in IT tools (such as databases, collaborative platforms, contract management information systems).

Other information

• Status: Part time (40-50%)

To apply

• Please submit your application using the online form.
• Deadline for application: accepting applications until 1st March 2024.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Application submission for this position may close early if we have enough suitable applicants.