Starting Date: May 2026 (or as soon as possible)Contract type: Full-time, fixed-term (9 months)Salary: CHF 116,625 per annum (full-time equivalent) pro-rated for the 9-month fixed term contractLocation: Geneva, SwitzerlandApplication closing date: 03/04/2026About The JobThe Legal Counsel will lead Better Cotton Initiative’s legal function during a 9-month maternity cover, providing strategic legal guidance across a complex, global operating environment.Reporting to the CEO, you will act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, including the CEO, COO, Council, and Board. You will play a key role in ensuring legal compliance, strengthening governance structures, and supporting risk management across multiple jurisdictions.This is a high-impact role offering the opportunity to shape legal frameworks within a mission-driven organisation operating at global scale.The ChallengeLooking ahead to 2030, we are targeting reducing GHG emissions from cotton production by half, significantly reducing the use of synthetic pesticides, improving soil health across our network, increasing farm income, and supporting women’s empowerment among farmers and farm workers.As Legal Counsel, you will play a critical role in ensuring that Better Cotton Initiative operates with strong legal foundations, enabling us to deliver on these ambitions while managing risk across diverse geographies and partnerships.ResponsibilitiesWe are seeking a motivated Legal Counsel to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for providing strategic legal advice, strengthening governance frameworks, and ensuring compliance across a global organisation.Provide strategic legal advice to senior leadership and cross-functional teams across multiple jurisdictionsLead the drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts, including grants, partnerships, and procurement agreementsDevelop and standardise legal templates, tools, and processes across the organisationStrengthen governance structures and support the Council and Board with legal input and documentationEnsure compliance with legal, regulatory, tax, and risk requirements across all operating regionsIdentify and mitigate legal and contractual risks, providing practical and solution-oriented guidanceOversee Better Cotton Initiative’s trademark and intellectual property portfolioManage relationships with external legal counsel and ensure cost-effective use of legal servicesDeliver legal training and guidance to internal teams to build organisational capability and awarenessMonitor legal and regulatory developments and advise on emerging risks and implications for the organisationExperiencethe following skills, knowledge, and experience:EssentialMaster’s degree in Law or equivalent legal qualificationSignificant experience in contract law, governance, compliance, and risk managementExperience working in international and multi-jurisdictional environmentsFluency in English and FrenchProven ability to advise senior stakeholders and operate at a strategic levelDesirableExperience working in a non-profit, NGO, or international organisationKnowledge of Swiss or European legal frameworksExperience supporting Board or Council governance structuresExperience managing external legal counsel and advisorsStrong interest in sustainability, supply chains, or international developmentWhat We OfferHybrid working – Two to three days/week in the Geneva OfficeFlexible working, with core hours from 10 am to 4 pm local timeContinuous learning and developmentPension schemeA generous annual leave package, including paid holiday, public holidays, additional paid days off during the festive season, study and exam days, and extra discretionary leave for life events such as family weddings or moving homeEnhanced parental benefitsThe opportunity to make your mark and make a difference.Working arrangementsThe position is full-time (40 hours per week) and will be based in Geneva. Better Cotton Initiative offers flexible working, with core hours being 10 am – 4 pm.Apply nowSend us your CV (2 pages maximum) and a brief cover letter (1-page maximum) by or before 03/04/2026 via the application link.In your cover letter, please include an explanation of why your experience is specifically relevant to this role at Better Cotton Initiative. We want to see your personal style – what makes you tick and why you think your next opportunity is here with us.Better Cotton Initiative does not use artificial intelligence or automated screening tools in its hiring process. Every application is reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team and relevant hiring managers to ensure a fair and human-led assessment experience.Our hiring processInitial ScreeningApplicant screening is a crucial step in our recruitment process. This stage may involve a brief phone interview or video call to evaluate your suitability for the position. During this screening, we review resumes and cover letters, and may conduct initial background checks to narrow down the pool of applicant. Internal candidates are encouraged to inform their line manager about their application to promote transparency and help facilitate a smooth transition if selected.InterviewsIf you successfully pass the initial screening, you will be invited for interviews. The interview process at Better Cotton Initiative may include one or more rounds of interviews with various stakeholders, such as the hiring manager, team members, and potentially senior management. As an internal candidate, you may have discussions regarding your current responsibilities and how they will transition to the new position.Assessment And TestingDepending on the role, you might be required to complete assessments, technical tests, or skills evaluations to gauge your competency and suitability for the position. Internal candidates may have the option to demonstrate their existing skills through current job performance or past project outcomes.Reference ChecksOnce you progress further in the process, reference checks are conducted to validate your work history, skills, and qualifications, and for some roles, your education and criminal history. Internal candidates may be asked for references from current or previous supervisors within Better Cotton Initiative to provide insights into their performance and capabilities.Offer StageAfter completing interviews, assessments, and reference checks, the hiring team evaluates your performance and fit for the role. If you are selected and your references are relevant and satisfactory, you will receive a formal job offer letter outlining the terms of employment, compensation, benefits, and any other relevant details. For internal candidates, the offer process may include a discussion about how your transition to the new role will be managed and any support needed for a smooth handover.About Better Cotton InitiativeBetter Cotton Initiative is aglobal not-for-profit organisationsupporting theproduction of moreequitableandsustainable cotton at farmlevel. We exist to catalyse the cotton farming communitywithpartners,governments and others to continuously drive positive impact by setting standards and facilitating the supply and demand of more sustainable cotton from farm tobrand. In just 15 years we have aligned more than a fifth of the world’s cotton with our standard and helped farmers and farming communities thrive. Join us in building a better, more sustainable future for cotton worldwide.About Our ValuesThe post holder will be expected to operate in line with our workplace values which are:Trustworthy (including honest, transparent, credible)As having Integrity (including responsible, authentic)Positive (including problem-solving, pragmatic)Engaging (including adaptable, inclusive, holistic)Daring (including courageous, innovative, game-changing)Being you @ Better Cotton InitiativeBetter Cotton Initiative is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to good practice and transparency in the management of natural, human, and financial resources.We have a zero-tolerance approach to any attitudes or behaviours that put children or adults at risk of harm. Safeguarding incidents are acts of serious misconduct and are grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal and referral to relevant authorities for criminal prosecution. Therefore, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.
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