Gavi’s Legal Department is responsible for providing strategic legal services to the following:

• Gavi as a Swiss foundation with privileges and immunities of an international organisation in Switzerland;
• Gavi as a US public charity in the United States; and
• International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm), a UK charity, which issues bonds in international capital markets to fund Gavi’s programmes.

Gavi’s Legal Department also provides legal advice on the COVAX facility, which entails managing a portfolio of agreements (and ensuing disputes) with over 150 governments, vaccine manufacturers, complex financing arrangements, the no-fault compensation programme and Humanitarian Buffer.

• Being responsible for drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts with pharmaceutical companies, other international organisations and governments.
• Advising on and supporting the implementation of Gavi-funded programmes in countries (in particular the francophone countries portfolio) and the application of Gavi programmatic policies;
• Advising and providing support, working with the World Bank and other partners as appropriate, in relation to proposed innovative financing mechanisms and existing ones such as the Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) and the Matching Fund;
• Preparing or reviewing grant agreements between the Gavi Alliance and its donors;
• Preparing or reviewing contracts for the acquisition of goods and services, advising on intellectual property and IT matters, advising on activities related to Gavi’s investments;
• Preparing documents and supporting legal materials for the meetings of Gavi’s Board and its committees;
• Delivering internal trainings on key contractual and compliance matters;
• Contributing to the knowledge management activities of Gavi’s Legal team;
• Supporting the General Counsel on specific matters as requested.

• Minimum of 8 years of post-qualification and progressively responsible legal experience in a top-rated law firm and/or as an in-house counsel in the private sector, with a focus on transactional work;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in commercial transactions; experience of corporate and finance transactions would be an asset;
• Experience with a pharmaceutical company and/or an international organisation would be an asset.

• Experience with commercial contracts and cross-border transactions is essential;
• Ability to collaborate in an international environment;
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and maintain focus on priorities;
• Ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of audiences both within and outside Gavi;
• Ability to handle pressure and work to challenging deadlines.
• Impeccable contract drafting skills;
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills;
• Ability to identify and explain complex issues;
• Team player, yet equally able to work autonomously;
• Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills;
• Integrity and principles-based work ethics;
• Organised, thorough and detail-orientated;
• Interest in public international law and/or health related development.

• Fluency in English required; ability to conduct legal work in French would be an asset.

• Advanced university degree in law from an accredited law school;
• Admission to practice law in at least one jurisdiction; professional experience in both civil and common law is an advantage.

• Gavi Secretariat;
• Gavi Partners;
• Other key stakeholders.

If you wish to apply, please provide a cover letter and resume through our Careers webpage and apply by clicking on “Senior Legal Counsel”. Deadline for applications is 25th July 2023.

Please note that as a vaccine organisation and in order to provide duty of care towards its employees, Gavi is requiring its new employees to confirm that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition for pursuing employment with us. You can find out more by visiting this link.

Become part of our community and join us on Facebook and Twitter for updates about our mission to save children’s lives! You can also follow our hashtag #vaccineswork

In support of Gavi’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, we hire globally and welcome applications regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, family status, sex, gender identity or expression, physical characteristics, race, religion, spirituality or sexual orientation. Gavi has zero tolerance towards sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse as well as any form of discrimination or harassment. Everyone at Gavi is expected to conduct themselves with integrity and respect towards each other. Gavi is committed to creating a work environment that is safe and professional, therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference checks. Read more here.

Gavi brings together the public and private sectors to save lives and protect people’s health by increasing equitable and sustainable use of vaccines against 18 infectious diseases. You will be joining an organisation at the centre of the international COVID-19 response, at the most critical time in global health in a lifetime. You will work in a culturally diverse environment with over 70 nationalities. You will collaborate with partners such as WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank – and from business, civil society and government. And you will work in the first global health organisation to receive equal gender salary certification. Your unique experience, skills and talents can help us achieve our vision of leaving no one behind without the life-saving power of vaccines.