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Senior Legal and Contract Administration Expert
Organization: Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS)
Work Unit: Legal and Contract Administration Service
Reports to: Legal and Contract Administration Service Head
Required Number: 1 (One)
Location Type: Office-based
Career Level: Senior Level (5–8 years experience)
Employment Type: Full-time (Permanent after probation period)
Deadline: June 28th, 2026
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About the Organization
The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) was established in 1935 and is one of the oldest and largest humanitarian organizations in Ethiopia. ERCS provides emergency responses, ambulance and first aid, family reunification, essential drugs, water, sanitation, and disaster risk reduction programs across 15 Regional Offices, Zonal Branches, and Woreda/Kebele structures. The Society works in partnership with the Ethiopian Government, IFRC, ICRC, and partnering National Societies to build community resilience.
Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the Head of Legal and Contract Administration, the Senior Legal and Contract Administration Expert manages corporate legal operations, case investigations, court representations, and contractual risks. The role holder handles litigations against defaulting debtors, drafts and standardizes contractual documents, provides legal counsel to management on agreement interpretations, and ensures procurement activities and labor relations align with national laws and the Society’s best interests.
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Key Performance Areas
Litigation & Case Management
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Plan, organize, and coordinate the overall legal activities of the Society.
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Perform investigations, examinations, and analysis of cases; gather facts and arrange supporting human and material evidence for trials.
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Initiate legal actions against debtors in default of alternative resolutions and aggressively follow up on proceedings.
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Prepare pleadings, statements of claims, defenses, petitions, submissions, and appeals.
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Represent the Society before courts of law, administrative tribunals, trade dispute committees, and police or quasi-judicial organs.
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Develop tailored case strategies and methods of presentation for corporate defense and prosecution.
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Take legal cases to appeal courts when organizational interests are affected; deliver summons and execute court decisions/verdicts made in favor of the Society.
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Compile status reports on legal issues handled internally or outsourced to volunteer professionals and retained lawyers.
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Investigate and take legal action regarding thefts, forgeries, misappropriations, labor disputes, and insurance claims (personnel injuries, liability, or property damage).
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Formulate and propose strategic out-of-court settlement options to senior management.
Contract Administration & Compliance
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Draft, review, update, and manage contractual documents, memorandums of understanding (MoUs), and other legal agreements.
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Standardize repetitive contracts and legal documents used frequently by the Society.
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Explain terms and conditions to management, providing clear legal interpretations of contracts to which the Society is a party.
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Analyze, manage, and report on specific risks, deadlines, and operational conditions associated with active contracts.
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Monitor Headquarters’ procurement activities to ensure compliance with the rules of the national Society, and extend guidance to regional branches.
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Stay up-to-date with legislative changes and conduct awareness-raising, training, and advocacy workshops on employee-employer relationships.
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Qualifications and Requirements
Educational Background
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Master’s Degree (Second Degree) or Bachelor’s Degree (First Degree) in Law (LL.M. / LL.B.).
Work Experience
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With Master’s Degree: Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, with at least 2 years in a senior legal position.
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With Bachelor’s Degree: Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, with at least 3 years in a senior legal position.
Core Skills & Competencies
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Proficient computer skills, including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
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Effective planning, coordination, case strategy formulation, and problem-solving skills.
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Excellent communication, networking, and institutional partnership-building abilities.
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Deep commitment to humanitarian values and Red Cross/Red Crescent principles.
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Demonstrable interest in legal aid frameworks and access to justice.
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Important Application Note
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Qualified women are strongly recommended to apply!
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How To Apply
Candidates meeting the specified qualifications are invited to fill out and submit the official online employment application form through either of the authorized web links before the closing date.
Application Links
Please complete your digital application package at one of the portals listed below:
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To apply for this job please visit ee.ifrc.org.
