Ethio-BioPharma Enterprise (EBPE) is Ethiopia’s state-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprise, established to build the nation’s capacity to manufacture vaccines, essential medicines, diagnostics, medical supplies and other healthcare technologies locally. Operating under EIH, EBPE is developing an integrated pharmaceutical campus at the Kilinto Special Economic Zone in Addis Ababa, co-locating multiple manufacturing units that share infrastructure, talent, and corporate services.

II. Job Summary

Main Purpose of the Position

The Legal Counsel is responsible for providing comprehensive legal advice and support to the Company on corporate, commercial, contractual, regulatory and investment matters. The position plays a key role in protecting the Company’s legal and commercial interests by drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements with local and international business partners, suppliers, distributors, service providers and other counterparties.

The Legal Counsel will support the Company’s business operations and strategic objectives by ensuring that commercial transactions are legally sound, contractual risks are appropriately managed, and the Company’s activities comply with applicable Ethiopian laws and regulations, including relevant pharmaceutical and health-sector regulatory requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES / ACCOUNTABILITY:

The Incumbent is expected to undertake the following responsibilities:

A. Commercial Contracts and Transaction Management

1. Draft, review, negotiate and manage a broad range of commercial agreements with local and international partners, suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, consultants and service providers.
2. Prepare and negotiate supply, distribution, licensing, manufacturing, procurement, service, consultancy, agency, confidentiality, and other commercial agreements, as applicable to the Company’s operations.
3. Identify and assess legal, contractual and commercial risks, recommend appropriate mitigation measures, and ensure that contractual terms adequately protect the Company’s interests.
4. Advise management and relevant departments on contractual rights and obligations, performance management, variations, renewals, termination, breach of contract and dispute avoidance.
5. Support commercial negotiations and transactions from inception through execution and implementation, ensuring that agreements reflect approved commercial terms and the Company’s risk appetite.

B Corporate, Regulatory and Legal Advisory

1. Provide timely legal advice on corporate governance, company law, commercial transactions, investment, competition, intellectual property, employment, tax and other relevant legal matters.
2. Advise the Company on applicable pharmaceutical, regulatory, licensing, importation, distribution, manufacturing and product-related legal requirements, as relevant to its business operations.
3. Monitor developments in applicable laws and regulations and advise management on their implications for the Company’s business and contractual relationships.
4. Support the preparation, review and implementation of corporate policies, internal procedures, powers of attorney, board and management decisions, and other legal instruments.
5. Liaise with relevant government authorities, regulators, business partners and other stakeholders on legal and regulatory matters within the Company’s mandate.

.C. Due Diligence, Risk Management and Dispute Resolution

1. Conduct and coordinate legal due diligence on prospective business partners, suppliers, distributors, investors and other counterparties, to assess counterparties’ legal status, capacity, ownership, authorizations, regulatory standing, contractual commitments and potential legal or compliance risks.
2. Support the Company in managing contractual claims, disputes, defaults and negotiations, including coordination with external legal advisers where necessary.
3. Advise on risk allocation, indemnities, limitations of liability, warranties, insurance, dispute resolution mechanisms and other key contractual protections.
4. Support the development and implementation of legal risk management measures to prevent disputes, minimize exposure and safeguard the Company’s commercial interests

D. Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer and Confidentiality

1. Draft, review and negotiate intellectual property, technology transfer, licensing, know-how, research collaboration and related agreements, as applicable.
2. Advise on the protection, use, ownership, licensing and transfer of intellectual property and confidential business information.
3. Ensure that contractual arrangements adequately address ownership and permitted use of intellectual property, confidentiality, data protection and the respective rights and obligations of the parties.
4. Identify and advise on legal risks arising from third-party intellectual property, proprietary technologies, trade secrets and confidential information.

E. Contract Administration, Compliance and Legal Documentation

1. Monitor contractual compliance and support the implementation of effective contract management procedures, including tracking obligations, deliverables, deadlines, renewals and termination dates.
2. Maintain an organized and reliable repository of executed agreements, amendments, legal opinions, corporate records and other relevant legal documents.
3. Support compliance with applicable anti-bribery, anti-corruption, competition, sanctions, conflict-of-interest and other relevant legal and ethical requirements.
4. Prepare legal opinions, memoranda, reports and recommendations to support management decision-making.
5. Coordinate with relevant internal departments and external advisers to ensure timely and effective resolution of legal matters.
6. The incumbent is expected to carry out related works as assigned by pertinent authority

III. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Applicants should possess the following qualifications and experience:

1. Education: LL.B degree from a recognized university. A postgraduate qualification in commercial law, corporate law, intellectual property or a related field will be an advantage.
2. Relevant Experience: Three to five years of relevant legal experience in large business organizations, commercial law firms, or comparable legal environment.
3. Demonstrated experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements and advising on contractual and business transactions.
4. Proven ability to identify contractual risks, develop appropriate legal protections and support negotiations with business partners.
5. Experience in legal due diligence, corporate and commercial advisory, and contract management.
6. Strong legal research, analytical, drafting and negotiation skills.
7. Excellent command of written and spoken English. Knowledge of Amharic and other relevant languages will be an advantage.
8. High proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with other technology platforms such as AI.

Experience in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, or other regulated industries, as well as experience with cross-border commercial transactions, licensing, distribution, and manufacturing or technology transfer agreements, will be an added advantage

IV. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong commercial awareness and a practical, solutions-oriented approach to legal issues.
• Excellent judgment, analytical ability and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding contract drafting, negotiation and communication skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver assignments within agreed deadlines.
• Strong organizational, project management and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with management, colleagues, business partners and external stakeholders.
• High ethical standards, discretion and professional integrity.
• A proactive attitude, commitment to teamwork and willingness to continuously develop professional knowledge and skills.

V. LOCATION AND WORK CONDITIONS

The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Occasional travel within Ethiopia and internationally may be required in connection with the Company’s business operations and transactions.

VI. Reports to: This positions reports to the CEO

VII. Salary : As per the Organization’s Scale

Additional Provisions

Ethio-BioPharma Enterprise reserves the right to assign additional duties consistent with the nature and level of this position