Request for Proposals for the Provision of Professional Legal and Corporate Services

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Position Title: Request for Proposals for the Provision of Professional Legal and Corporate Services
Location: Addis Ababa
Country: Ethiopia
Deadline Date: 01/03/2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Population Services International (PSI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health of poor and vulnerable populations in developing countries. Established in 1970, PSI operates in over 40 countries and employs more than 3,000 individuals globally. The organization has an annual budget exceeding $500 million and is supported by over 200 staff members who provide programmatic and administrative services. PSI is governed by an elected Board of Directors and is recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization in the United States, which allows it to operate tax-exempt. The organization’s mission is to enhance health outcomes through innovative solutions and partnerships, focusing on areas such as family planning, maternal and child health, and disease prevention. For more information about PSI’s structure, strategy, and operations, visit www.psi.org.

Job Overview:
The position involves providing legal counsel to PSI regarding governance and entity registration in Ethiopia, particularly concerning income-generating entities and private companies. The selected vendor will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive legal landscape analysis in Ethiopia to evaluate the pros and cons of maintaining the existing structure of PSI’s Income Generating Activities (IGA) versus transitioning to a foreign subsidiary under Viya Enterprises LLC. This role requires a deep understanding of local laws and regulations, as well as the ability to provide strategic recommendations that align with PSI’s operational goals while ensuring compliance with legal requirements. The vendor will also need to prepare various legal documents and memos, and facilitate communication between PSI and relevant Ethiopian authorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected vendor will be expected to perform the following duties:

• Review PSI’s existing Income Generating Activities in Ethiopia and assess the current legal structure.
• Conduct a legal landscape analysis to identify the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining the existing IGA structure versus establishing a foreign subsidiary under Viya Enterprises LLC.
• Provide a detailed comparison of the existing structure and the proposed new entity, focusing on governance, tax implications, legal requirements, and necessary licenses and registrations.
• Recommend the most suitable entity type for PSI’s operations in Ethiopia, addressing potential risks and benefits associated with the ownership structure.
• Analyze the implications of transferring or licensing PSI’s brands/assets to the new entity, including tax considerations and employee transfer regulations.
• Prepare a legal and tax memorandum outlining the findings and recommendations for PSI’s entity registration in Ethiopia.
• Assist in the preparation and submission of the application for entity registration to the relevant Ethiopian authorities.
• Provide ongoing legal support and advice as needed throughout the engagement.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate must possess the following qualifications:

• A law degree from a recognized institution, with a focus on corporate law, nonprofit law, or international law.
• Extensive experience in providing legal counsel to nonprofit organizations, particularly in the context of entity registration and governance in Ethiopia.
• Proven track record of navigating the legal landscape in Ethiopia, with a strong understanding of local laws and regulations related to nonprofit and commercial entities.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide clear and actionable recommendations.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with proficiency in English. Knowledge of Amharic or other local languages is a plus.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree from an accredited institution. Additional certifications or qualifications in nonprofit management or international business law are advantageous. Continuous professional development in relevant legal areas is also preferred.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience is required, with a focus on nonprofit organizations and corporate law. Experience working with international organizations or NGOs in Ethiopia is highly desirable. Familiarity with the legal requirements for establishing and operating entities in Ethiopia is essential.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as all proposals and communications must be conducted in English. Knowledge of Amharic or other local languages is considered beneficial but not required.

Additional Notes:
This is a contract position with a specific scope of work related to the provision of legal and corporate services. The engagement may be full-time or part-time, depending on the needs of PSI and the availability of the selected vendor. Compensation will be based on the rates outlined in the financial proposal submitted by the bidder. Proposals must be valid for at least 90 days from the date of receipt, and all submissions must be made in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the bidder.