Legal Service Officer

Medical Teams Calling 

Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world. 

Medical Teams International holds strict child and vulnerable adult safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct related to sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment & selection, hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates’ eligibility thorough background checks, police clearance, and professional reference check processes.

JOB SUMMARY

The Legal Officer contributes to the mission of Medical Teams International by coordinating and delivering legal services to Ethiopia mission. The role is responsible for managing legal cases, providing legal counseling and representation, ensuring compliance with applicable national and international laws. The Legal Officer works closely with HR and all departments in the country as well as field offices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Compile facts, establish evidence, and prepare statements to support legal cases requiring court presentations.
• Deliver summons and other court and police orders to the relevant individuals.
• Review and analyze legal documents such as contracts, lease agreements, and employment policies.
• Review all contracts, country level SOPs, Policies, letters and circulars for legal compliance and advise on legal compliance issues.
• Draft, review, and monitor contracts, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), partnership agreements, consultancy agreements, procurement contracts, and donor agreements and ensure all agreements comply with applicable laws and organizational policies.
• Maintain a centralized database of legal documents and contracts.
• Provide legal advice and guidance to management and staff on organizational activities, programs, and operations.
• Interpret laws, regulations, and government directives affecting NGO operations.
• Advise on legal risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
• Support decision-making by providing sound legal opinions and recommendations.
• Draft official documents and letters as assigned.
• Evaluate case facts and develop legal arguments based on statutes and precedents.
• Prepare pleadings, statements of claims, defenses, petitions, submissions, oaths, and appeals for Medical Teams International.
• Follow up on legal issues under police and other quasi-judicial organs, as well as pending legal cases.
• Represent Medical Teams International before courts, quasi-judicial organs, and tribunals.
• Investigate, defend, and follow up on the settlement or litigation of labor disputes.
• Investigate and take necessary legal action for thefts, forgeries, misappropriation of company funds, breaches of discipline, and offenses; handle legal settlements of insurance claims on personnel injuries, liabilities, or property damage.
• Promote the safeguarding of program participants and employees by upholding the code of conduct provisions related to protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, child and vulnerable adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies.

OTHER DUTIES

• Provide guidance on regulatory compliance, ensuring that organizational practices align with local laws and international standards.
• Offer legal training sessions to staff on topics such as contract management, employment law, and safeguarding procedures.
• Monitor updates in local and international laws and regulations to keep the organization informed of changes impacting operations.
• Facilitate legal due diligence for new projects to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations before launch.
• Conduct internal investigations related to allegations of misconduct or legal concerns and report findings to senior management.
• Draft legal memos and provide consultations to inform decision-making for management and program teams.
• Support the development and implementation of risk management policies to mitigate potential legal liabilities.
• Ensure accountability is integrated into country strategies, program design, monitoring and evaluations, recruitment, staff onboarding, trainings and performance management, partnership agreements, and highlighted in reporting.
• Support safeguarding of program participants and employees through promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding code of conduct and behavior expectations.

 EDUCATION, LICENSES, & CERTIFICATIONS

• LLB Degree in Law, Commercial law and other Related Field of study

EXPERIENCE

• 5 years and above, from these at least 4 years in legal Advisor or Consulting positions
• Experience working with INGOs is an added advantage

KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of development & humanitarian issues and concepts
• Fluent spoken and written Amharic and English additional Language is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and team skills
• Proven ability to be flexible in demanding situations
• Excellent communicator
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment
• Negotiation and representation skills
• Analytical and problem-solving Computer literate, able to work efficiently in Microsoft office on standard or mobile platforms.

SKILLS:

• Humanitarian motivation
• Emotionally and spiritually mature
• Team player – practical, desire to support the field teams.
• Willingness to pitch in and get the job done
• Understanding and sensitivity to cross cultural issues
• Flexible and adaptable to ever changing environments
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Able to build new relationships and gain people’s trust quickly
• Integrity in representing Medical Teams Willing to travel to insecure environments

ABILITIES:

• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment
• Ability to prioritize tasks
• Ability to embrace and promote MTI’s mission and vision
• Ability to uphold and exemplify the organization’s core values
• Ability to represent the organization in a professional manner to donors, volunteers, and the public

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent use of a personal computer, database and digital platforms, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and computer printer.
• Frequently uses hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, touch or feel equipment, medical instruments, materials, computer.
• Frequent communication and exchange of information among colleagues and persons of concern which requires the ability to speak, hear, convey and express oneself.
• Frequent close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, steps, or ladder
• Occasionally move about inside an office to access file cabinets, office machinery, meet with colleagues, etc.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 Kg.
• Seldom to occasionally positions oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• If in travel status, occasional to frequent traversing over rough or steep terrain in either a motor vehicle or on foot.