Interim General Counsel (8-10 Months) - Geneva

• Executive-level role in a globally respected organization.
• Direct exposure to CEOs, Boards and international stakeholders.

About Our Client ##

Our client is a highly respected international organization headquartered in Switzerland, operating at the intersection of global public interest, international partnerships, development initiatives and complex funding structures. Working with governments, private-sector partners, philanthropic organizations and multilateral institutions across multiple regions, the organization manages large-scale programmes with a significant worldwide impact.

Job Description ##

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the Interim General Counsel will lead a team of legal professionals and act as a trusted adviser to executive management, the board, and key internal and external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will ensure continuity of legal leadership while supporting the organization through a period of ongoing strategic and operational activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Legal function, ensuring effective delivery of legal services across the organization.
• Serve as a strategic adviser to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board on legal, governance, regulatory and risk matters.
• Build credibility and trust with senior stakeholders across a complex international environment.
• Provide legal guidance on governance, institutional matters, partnerships, commercial agreements and strategic initiatives.
• Support the organization in navigating sensitive stakeholder issues and managing competing interests.
• Lead, mentor and motivate a highly capable legal team, fostering engagement and collaboration in a demanding environment.
• Ensure effective management of legal risk, compliance and organizational governance.
• Oversee external counsel relationships where required.
• Support financing, fundraising, contractual and partnership activities as needed.
• Contribute to organizational decision-making as a pragmatic business partner, balancing legal rigor with operational realities.
• Drive continuity, stability and sound judgment during the transition period.

The Successful Applicant ##

Experience

• Qualified lawyer with significant post-qualification experience (typically 20+ years).
• Previous experience as General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, or equivalent senior legal executive.
• Proven leadership experience managing legal teams within complex international organizations.
• Strong track record advising CEOs, Executive Committees and Boards.
• Experience operating in highly regulated and stakeholder-intensive environments.
• Exposure to international organizations, multilateral institutions, NGOs, public-sector bodies, healthcare, life sciences, development finance or similarly complex environments would be highly advantageous.
• Experience in governance, compliance, risk management and strategic transactions.
• Familiarity with financing structures, capital markets or structured financing is considered a plus.

Leadership Profile

• Calm, resilient and highly credible under pressure.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Able to navigate sensitive political and organizational dynamics with discretion.
• Collaborative leadership style with a strong focus on empowerment rather than micromanagement.
• Pragmatic, solutions-oriented and commercially minded.
• Strong personal integrity and sound judgement.
• Able to create trust quickly with executives, board members and team members alike.

Languages

• Fluent English is essential.
• French is considered a strong advantage.
• Additional languages are welcomed.

What's on Offer ##

• Opportunity to join a globally respected organization with significant international visibility.
• Executive-level role with direct exposure to senior leadership and governance bodies.
• Meaningful work contributing to an organization with substantial global impact.
• A highly stimulating and complex stakeholder environment.
• Initial interim assignment of approximately 8-10 months, with potential for longer-term discussions depending on mutual interest and organizational needs.

Quote job ref

JN-062026-7051787

Job Function
Legal

Specialisation
Not for Profit

Industry
Not For Profit

Location
Geneva

Contract Type
Interim

Job Reference
JN-062026-7051787