Senior Legal Advisor to Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) - Addis Ababa

Please apply via the job posting on our website: Senior Legal Advisor to EFDA

Unit / Team: Ethiopia / Cardiovascular Health

Duty Station: Addis Ababa with possibility to travel to EFDA regional branches in Ethiopia

Duration: 12-month fixed term employment agreement with possibility of extension

Position Summary:

The Senior Legal Advisor will provide legal support and guidance to the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) to guide the development of food policies, working closely with the EFDA legal and technical team. As a legal advisor, the person will play a crucial role in ensuring the healthy diet policy is legally sound, comply with relevant laws and regulations of the country, provide support to EFDA on other regulations development and implementation and effectively communicate the objective. The Senior Legal Advisor will be responsible in the development of regulations, directives, and litigation strategies to advance food policies in Ethiopia. This position reports to the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority. The Advisor will also have a functional reporting line with RTSL.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review policy documents to ensure legal accuracy, clarity, and compliance with legal requirements and gaps to ensure inclusion of priorities.
• Identify and map applicable laws, regulations, and precedents relevant to developing the healthy diet policy.
• Analyze policy documents to assess compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies at the national, sub-national, and global levels.
• Review opposition drafts and provide analysis and responses to weak provisions or loopholes created by the opposition.
• Develop legal resource materials and tools relevant to advancing food policy.
• Regularly assess and identify the legal and technical support needs of the government experts and advocacy partners pertaining to developing healthy diet-related policy and regulatory process. 
• Continuously appraise the policy landscape, including potential opposition, and ensure that partners take advantage of opportunities.
• Maintain an inventory and analysis of country’s healthy diet-related policies and global best practices.
• Provide expert legal advice and guidance to stakeholders on matters related to the policies, legal requirements, and potential legal consequences.
• Identify and assess potential legal risks and implications associated with the proposed policies and provide recommendations for mitigation.
• Develop a landscape analysis to identify political opportunities and priorities to promote healthy diet policies.
• Collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders, including EFDA management, MOH legal team, and others to ensure alignment and consensus in policy development.
• Engage with external stakeholders, such as government agencies, and legal professionals, to gather insights, seek clarification, and to ensure compliance with external requirements.
• Collaborate with all local implementing partners in conducting decision makers advocacy objectives.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation related to the development of policies, including legal opinion, reports, and minutes.
• Liaise with the healthy diet policy stakeholders (government and non-government) to facilitate periodic technical assistance and capacity building.
• Assist in the development and implementation of regulation for Food and Medicine proclamation 1112/2019.
• Provide expert legal advice and support to the development and implementation of different EFDA policies and procedures.
• Review and provide recommendation to the legal service executive office contracts, MOU, and other agreements to which EFDA is a party.
• Hold regular monthly strategic discussion and meetings with EFDA Director General, Legal Director and key RTSL staff.
• Perform other related tasks as may be assigned by EFDA Director General.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree (LLB degree) in law from an accredited higher learning institution is required. A master’s degree (LLM) or specialization in legal affairs, medical law, and other related fields is advantageous.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years for LLM degree holders and eight years for LLB degree holders with relevant work experience focusing on legislative drafting, policy development, or related fields. Prior experience in providing legal advice in the context of policy or similar is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and legal principles related to legislative development, including constitutional and administrative law. Familiarity with the legislative and policy-making processes is essential.
• Experience in public health policy changes. Demonstrated experience in legal analysis of public health or public policy issues, particularly in nutrition. Commitment to public interest work is a plus.
• Having orientation in the Ethiopian legal context is highly preferred.

Skills & abilities:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex legal issues and provide practical solutions.
• Written and verbal communication skills to draft clear, concise, and legally sound legislation and effectively communicate legal advice to non-legal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate (verbally and in writing) complex issues in a concise, compelling, and easily understandable manner.
• Understanding of the technical and programmatic aspects of the legal system
• Proficiency in use of computers, including MS Office applications
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Amharic

How To Apply

Application instructions:

Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to submit a CV and cover letter on our website by clicking here: Senior Legal Advisor to EFDA.

RTSL believes its programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We encourage applications from and provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Resolve to Save Lives complies with all applicable US EEO laws.?

RTSL accepts and reviews applications on an ongoing basis. We are grateful for your interest in our work and for your application. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we are unable to respond to every applicant. One of our talent team members will contact you if your qualifications match the role.