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 contract

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Application closing date: 03/04/2026

About the Job 

The 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 Challenge

Looking 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.

Responsibilities

We 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 jurisdictions
• Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts, including grants, partnerships, and procurement agreements
• Develop and standardise legal templates, tools, and processes across the organisation
• Strengthen governance structures and support the Council and Board with legal input and documentation
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, tax, and risk requirements across all operating regions
• Identify and mitigate legal and contractual risks, providing practical and solution-oriented guidance
• Oversee Better Cotton Initiative’s trademark and intellectual property portfolio
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and ensure cost-effective use of legal services
• Deliver legal training and guidance to internal teams to build organisational capability and awareness
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and advise on emerging risks and implications for the organisation

Experience

the following skills, knowledge, and experience:

Essential

• Master’s degree in Law or equivalent legal qualification
• Significant experience in contract law, governance, compliance, and risk management
• Experience working in international and multi-jurisdictional environments
• Fluency in English and French
• Proven ability to advise senior stakeholders and operate at a strategic level

Desirable

• Experience working in a non-profit, NGO, or international organisation
• Knowledge of Swiss or European legal frameworks
• Experience supporting Board or Council governance structures
• Experience managing external legal counsel and advisors
• Strong interest in sustainability, supply chains, or international development

What we offer

- Hybrid working – Two to three days/week in the Geneva Office

- Flexible working, with core hours from 10 am to 4 pm local time

- Continuous learning and development

- Pension scheme

- A 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 home

- Enhanced parental benefits

- The opportunity to make your mark and make a difference.

Working arrangements

The 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 now

Send 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 process

Initial Screening:

Applicant 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.

Interviews:

If 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 Testing: 

Depending 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 Checks: 

Once 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 stage:

After 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 Initiative

Better Cotton Initiative is a global not-for-profit organisation supporting the production of more equitable and sustainable cotton at farm level. We exist to catalyse the cotton farming community with partners, governments and others to continuously drive positive impact by setting standards and facilitating the supply and demand of more sustainable cotton from farm to brand. 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 Values

The 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 Initiative

Better 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.