General information
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Position description
Job title
Field Legal Advisor X/H/F
Field based :
Niger, Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic
Start date :
Janvier 2026
Job description
Several positions available in Niger, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic
Start date: From January 2026
Duration: 12 months
- The Legal Advisor supports (in intersection) Médecins Sans Frontières teams by proactively analyzing developments in regulations related to NGOs and updating, together with the referent legal advisor, the risk analysis concerning these developments.
- He/She assists teams in drafting official letters, analyzing memorandums of understanding, renewing administrative acts related to registration, and compiling necessary documentation.
- He/She supports financial, HR, logistics, and supply teams in addressing issues related to the application of various tax regulations, labor laws, or matters concerning the importation of various inputs. He/She produces relevant legal analyses and proposes concrete solutions tailored to MSF's specific needs.
- He/She ensures an intersectional approach to the services provided and strives to nurture interactions with various administrative authorities by strengthening networking related to his/her activities, reporting to the Head of Mission responsible for country representation.
- He/She ensures consistency in responses provided to different sections to manage operational constraints/blockages, in collaboration with the referent legal advisor at headquarters.
- He/She identifies and evaluates external lawyers, helps teams pool resources, and capitalizes on lessons learned and legal consultations. He/She prepares recommendations, memos, tools to ensure this capitalization, and develops practical guides for operational teams.
- He/She acts as the on-site liaison for the legal department, disseminates tools from the legal department, and escalates questions outside his/her area of expertise to specialized legal advisors.
Responsibilities
The Sahel Alliance States (Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali) have, for several months, strengthened domestic legal frameworks related to combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. They have also introduced substantial modifications to the legal framework governing NGOs in their countries: reinforcement of reporting and accountability mechanisms, particularly financial (FATF, SYSBNL, new fiscal measures – for both national and international staff), stricter conditions for foreigners’ stay and work, as well as increased civil and criminal liability for leaders. This legislative and regulatory inflation is also part of a broader dynamic of reevaluating the humanitarian space, necessitating the presence of a legal advisor to support MSF teams in ensuring compliance with these new provisions. Furthermore, the legal advisor will assist teams in developing engagement strategies with administrative authorities in the various countries.
Your profile
- Holder of a Master’s degree (Master 2) in law (administrative, business, and/or taxation law)
- At least 2 years of professional experience; experience in a similar position is a significant advantage
- Excellent command of French
- Minimum English level B1 (with a willingness to develop this skill or currently improving it)
- Essential experience in negotiations and engagement with administrative authorities (tax and civil administrations, immigration, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Finance)
- Strong analytical, writing, and diplomatic skills
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and demonstrate commitment and support for diversity, inclusive attitudes, and non-discriminatory behaviors
- Flexibility and resilience under stress
MSF Offers
- A unique and varied professional experience where your skills make a difference
Preparatory course and briefing about the identified project
- Contract for the duration of the mission
- Monthly salary according to MSF’s salary scale (based on professional experience and country of residence)
- Insurance coverage, including repatriation
- Accommodation and meals provided
- Transport, visa, and vaccination costs covered
- Per diem on-site
- One week of rest every three months
- Psychosocial support before, during, and after the mission
- Debriefing, individualized career follow-up within MSF, and training opportunities
- Unaccompanied assignment (no partner or family)
- Mission location to be confirmed based on MSF’s operational needs
