Call for Applications – Associate Counsel

Location:  Geneva, Switzerland
Working time: full-time
Working from home: possible, subject to HR Policy
Travel requirements: occasional, less than 5% of the overall working time.  

About the Medicines Patent Pool Foundation

The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access to, and facilitate the development of, life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Through its innovative business model, MPP partners with civil society, governments, international organisations, industry, patient groups, and other stakeholders to prioritise and license needed medicines and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations. MPP’s mandate covers patented medicines for infectious diseases – HIV, TB, hepatitis C and also non-communicable diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, in addition to COVID-19 treatments and technologies.

MPP operates as a non-profit voluntary licensing mechanism through partnerships with originator pharmaceutical companies and generic manufacturers that facilitate access and promote innovation. The terms and conditions in MPP licences seek to improve treatment options for the broadest number of people living in LMICs and are negotiated on a case-by-case basis with each patent holder.

Positively impacting peoples’ lives is one of the main goals of MPP activities. MPP’s impact assessment is based on country-level modelling and contrasting MPP’s contribution to alternative scenarios where key WHO-recommended medicines would not have been available through MPP licences.   For further information regarding our work, please visit our website

About the Role

MPP is a small but impactful organisation with a dedicated team of 50 professionals. Our success is built on strong, collaborative partnerships across diverse sectors, including private, public, research and academia, civil society organisations, and patients’ advocacy groups.  As MPP Associate Counsel, you will work as part of a small team of four professionals, under direct management of the General Counsel.  You will support MPP’s operations across all areas, from in- and out- licensing, policy, product development and technology transfer, grants and donors’ relations, procurement etc.

To thrive in this role, you must be proactive, self-motivated, and able to work autonomously. You will engage with MPP staff across the organisation, as well as with external partners. You must be comfortable handling a wide range of legal matters and interacting with people who have a deep legal expertise, as well as with those who have limited or no legal background.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

• Develop legal analysis for negotiations, participate in negotiations and drafting of licensing and technology transfer agreements under the supervision of the General Counsel.
• Conduct legal research on intellectual property and licensing issues of importance to the organisation.
• Review, drafting and negotiation of other general contracts and documents.
• Provide sound legal advice to the other workstreams within the organisation.
• Liaise with the MPP’s Expert Advisory Group (EAG) and Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP), develop evaluation frameworks, draft reports, organise meetings under the supervision of the General Counsel.
• Liaise with the MPP’s Compliance Officer and the Ethics and Compliance Subcommittee of the MPP Board to ensure compliance with MPP internal policies.
• Liaise with local Swiss counsel and external counsel in India for the day-to-day management of MPP and its Liaison Office.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

Requirements: 

• Degree in law leading to admission to practise (e.g., JD, LLB).
• Postgraduate or advanced degree in law highly favoured
• Native-level fluency in English is required.
• Active membership in an accredited bar association or equivalent (e.g., active practising certificate).
• 3 to 6 years of post-qualification experience (PQE) practising law, in a commercial law firm or in-house setting
• Strong knowledge of intellectual property licensing.
• Experience in negotiating and drafting legal documents.
• Understanding of issues related to intellectual property and access to medicines in developing countries.
• Demonstrated excellence in legal research, analysis and writing skills.
• Strong knowledge of patent law within the international framework.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Experience with the pharmaceutical industry will be considered favourably
• Legal qualifications and/or practice experience in Swiss law will be considered favourably
• Experience or qualifications in public health will be considered favourably
• Oral and written proficiency in a second UN language will be considered favourably

Personal Qualities

MPP’s richness lies in its staff: a small dynamic and multicultural team. To flourish in our team, you must recognise yourself in our values: Respect, Courage, Generosity and Commitment.

Moreover, the Associate Counsel will need to demonstrate:

• Organisation skills, autonomy and ability to work within short timelines.
• Ability to work analytically, creatively and proactively in a problem-solving environment.
• Collaborative and supportive approach to teamwork.
• Sensitivity to different cultures and work styles.
• Demonstrable personal commitment to the public health goals of the MPP.

MPP respects all individuals regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, HIV status or disability. All qualified applications are welcome.

If you recognize yourself in this description, please send a cover letter and C.V. to recruitment@medicinespatentpool.org including “Associate Counsel” as reference in the subject line by 17 August 2025