Location: Any MSF Office*

Duration: 12 months

Starting day: 8th November 2023

Deadline for applications: 10th September 2023

*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application.

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 21 sections, 25 associations and other offices together. MSF International provides political oversight, coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implementing international projects and initiatives as requested.

Within MSF International, the International Office (IO) is the Secretariat of MSF International Board and is under the direct management of the Secretary General.

The International Legal Department (ILD) is currently the only intersectional department of MSF; its field of expertise is varied, including international humanitarian law (IHL), registration, taxes, medico-legal issues, medical research, labour law, commercial law, trademarks and international governance.

II. POSITION BACKGROUND

The position of Legal advisor Trademarks and Frauds is based in Unit 5 of the ILD and is placed under the supervision of the Trademarks, Identification and Frauds Manager.

This Unit of the ILD is dedicated to providing legal support to MSF International and the MSF movement on governance matters and trademarks activities, and is composed of 3 areas of expertise:

• International and Corporate Governance,
• Trademarks and Frauds
• International contracts

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

The Legal advisor Trademarks and Frauds aims to support the MSF movement towards the following activities, in accordance with the legal policies and practices in place :

• Trademarks management, infringement, negotiation and litigation
• Identification, logo and Charte graphique
• Management of frauds (HQ and Field)

IV. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Participate to the definition of the legal strategy:

• Implement strategy and participate with line management in defining legal policies, contributing knowledge of the trademarks protection
• Ensure that strategy, policies and objectives are properly implemented by MSF entities

Provide advice and support related to trademarks and frauds:

• Advise and manage trademark infringement and fraud cases (including in the field of operations) with MSF entities
• Ensure the application of legal policies and procedures
• Manage trademark infringement litigation cases and the development of litigation strategies.
• Drafting of notes and legal documents (legal memo, cease and desist letter, IP complaints, etc.)
• Provide legal research and alerts monitoring according to the needs.
• Develop tools and guidelines to support MSF entities in protecting MSF trademarks.
• Draf and review several type of contracts ( coexistence, partnerships, etc. )

Participate to legal projects:

• Participate and make proposals for the definition and implementation of legal projects including identification and trademarks aspect.
• Participate to the management of the MSF trademarks portfolio (registration of new trademarks, renewal and rationalization of the portfolio).
• Set-up monitoring and reporting tools notably on frauds

Transferring legal skills

• Provide briefings and trainings regarding trademarks, identification and frauds matters both at HQ and filed level