Legal Director

FC Africa has strategic partnership with FDRE MESOB Service. Through its partnership with FDRE MESOB Service, FC Africa is hiring for these positions on behalf of FDRE MESOB Service

ABOUT MESOB

FDRE MESOB Service, is a government-led one-stop service platform that integrates multiple public services into a single digital and physical hub, enabling citizens and businesses to access government services more efficiently, conveniently, and transparently.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Legal Director is responsible for leading and managing all legal affairs of FDRE MESOB Service. The role ensures that the organization’s operations, policies, partnerships, procurement processes, and digital transformation initiatives comply with Ethiopian laws, government regulations, and international best practices. The Legal Director provides strategic legal advice to senior management, mitigates legal risks, drafts and reviews legal documents, and supports the successful implementation of FDRE MESOB’s Service mandate in modernizing public service delivery.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Legal Leadership

• Develop and implement the legal strategy aligned with FDRE MESOB’s Service strategic objectives.
• Provide legal advice to the CEO, Executive Management, and Board (where applicable).
• Identify legal risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Ensure legal compliance across all organizational activities.

Legal Advisory Services

• Provide legal opinions on organizational decisions.
• Interpret applicable laws, regulations, directives, and government policies.
• Advise management on labor, procurement, contract, intellectual property, ICT, and administrative law matters.
• Support legal aspects of institutional reforms and digital government initiatives.

Legislative and Policy Support

• Review and draft legislation, regulations, directives, policies, and legal instruments.
• Provide legal support during the development and implementation of government policies.
• Recommend legal reforms to improve service delivery and institutional effectiveness.

Contract Management

• Draft, review, negotiate, and approve contracts, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), service agreements and partnership agreements.
• Ensure contractual obligations are legally sound and protect the interests of FDRE MESOB Service.
• Maintain a centralized repository of legal agreements.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Ethiopian laws and public sector regulations.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting the organization.
• Develop internal compliance policies and procedures.
• Conduct periodic legal compliance assessments.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

• Represent or coordinate representation of FDRE MESOB Service in legal proceedings.
• Manage disputes through negotiation, mediation, or litigation and recommend appropriate settlement strategies.
• Coordinate with the Office of the Attorney General and external legal counsel where necessary.

Risk Management

• Identify legal risks affecting institutional operations.
• Develop mitigation strategies to minimize legal exposure.
• Support institutional risk management from a legal perspective.

Capacity Building

• Train management and staff on legal, governance, ethics, and compliance issues.
• Promote legal awareness throughout the institution.
• Mentor and supervise legal officers and other staff within the Directorate.

Education and Experience

• LLB (Bachelor of Laws) with a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible legal experience or LLM (Master’s Degree in Law) with a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience
• Leadership Requirement: At least 5 years of experience in a senior leadership or management position
• Preferred Background: Practical experience in government institutions, ICT law, digital government, or public administration is a distinct advantage
• Extensive understanding of Ethiopian constitutional, administrative, labor, commercial, procurement, and contract law.
• Proficient in digital governance, cybersecurity, data protection, and ICT legal frameworks.
• Deep understanding of public sector governance structures and administrative procedures.
• Strong legal drafting skills paired with high-level negotiation capabilities.
• Advanced legal research capabilities and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Comprehensive expertise in legal risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and governance oversight.
• Proven ability in policy development, legal interpretation, and strategy formulation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, multilingual fluency is preferred.
• High ethical standards, unwavering integrity, and absolute impartiality, strictly adhering to the FDRE MESOB Service Code of Ethics.
• Highly proactive with exceptional attention to detail, strong time management, prioritization skills, and a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills coupled with high adaptability, resilience, and operational flexibility during major campaigns, events, policy reviews, or legislative processes.