Application Guide
How to Apply for Legal Counsel and/or Senior Legal Counsel
at Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)
🏢 About Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)
CEPI is a unique global health partnership that operates at the intersection of public health, science, and equitable access, specifically focused on epidemic and pandemic preparedness. Unlike traditional pharmaceutical companies, CEPI funds and coordinates vaccine development through collaborative partnerships with academic institutions, biotech firms, and manufacturers worldwide, with a core mission to ensure vaccines are accessible to all people in need, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
About This Role
This Legal Counsel/Senior Legal Counsel role serves as the lead lawyer for CEPI's grant and investment projects, directly shaping agreements that fund vaccine and biologic countermeasure development. You'll draft and negotiate access and commercialization terms in funding agreements, translating CEPI's equitable access mission into binding contractual commitments, and provide legal guidance for collaborations across the R&D and manufacturing value chain, making a tangible impact on global health security.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing and drafting grant agreements for new vaccine candidates, negotiating access terms with biotech partners to ensure affordability in low-income countries, and advising internal teams on legal risks in ongoing collaborations. You could also participate in project meetings to align legal strategies with scientific and operational goals, and update templates to reflect lessons learned from prior agreements.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Is Looking For
- A lawyer with 5+ years of experience drafting and negotiating complex agreements in life sciences, biotech, or global health, particularly grants, investments, or collaborative R&D agreements.
- Demonstrated expertise in intellectual property, access, and commercialization terms, with a track record of translating strategic objectives (like equitable access) into clear contractual language.
- Experience advising on legal and regulatory issues in vaccine or biologic development, manufacturing, or global distribution, ideally in an international or multi-stakeholder context.
- Strong project management skills to independently lead legal aspects of CEPI projects from formation through implementation, including managing outside counsel as needed.
📝 Tips for Applying to Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)
Highlight specific experience drafting or negotiating agreements with access provisions (e.g., equitable pricing, technology transfer, or supply commitments for low-income regions), as this is core to CEPI's mission.
Tailor your resume to show quantifiable impact in life sciences or global health law, such as number of agreements led, value of deals negotiated, or examples of risk mitigation in vaccine/biologic projects.
Research and reference CEPI's active portfolio (e.g., specific vaccine candidates like Lassa or Nipah, or platform technologies like RNA) to demonstrate genuine interest in their work.
Emphasize any experience working with diverse stakeholders (e.g., academia, biotech, manufacturers, governments) as collaboration is central to CEPI's model.
If applicable, note familiarity with international legal frameworks or organizations (e.g., WHO, Gavi) relevant to epidemic preparedness or global health equity.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain why CEPI's mission to accelerate equitable access to vaccines resonates with you, linking it to personal or professional values in global health.", "Provide a concise example of how you've previously drafted or negotiated agreements with access or commercialization terms in life sciences, highlighting outcomes aligned with CEPI's goals.", 'Describe your ability to manage multiple complex projects independently, referencing experience leading legal aspects of grants or investments from formation to implementation.', "Mention any specific knowledge of vaccine/biologic R&D, manufacturing, or regulatory pathways to show you can quickly contribute to CEPI's technical projects."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → CEPI's current portfolio and pipeline (e.g., specific disease targets like Disease X, platform technologies, or partnerships listed on their website).
- → CEPI's access and equity policies, such as their 'Equitable Access' framework or principles for vaccine distribution.
- → Recent CEPI announcements or reports (e.g., annual reports, press releases) to understand strategic priorities and challenges.
- → Key partners in CEPI's network (e.g., academic institutions, biotech companies, manufacturers) and their roles in vaccine development.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without tailoring to CEPI's mission of equitable access or mentioning specific aspects of their work.
- Overemphasizing corporate or for-profit legal experience without connecting it to non-profit, global health, or collaborative models.
- Failing to provide concrete examples of drafting or negotiating agreements in life sciences, especially those involving IP, access, or commercialization terms.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)!