Senior Counsel

Are you passionate about making the world a better place? Are you seeking a way to apply your legal expertise to help a growing organization drive positive change around the world? GlobalGiving is looking for a part-time Senior Counsel to join our team for a 2-year contract. You will report to the Director of Global Operations and represent the organization as legal counsel, advise the leadership team and management on legal matters affecting the organization, coordinate and manage outside counsel, support contract development and oversight, and more. This is a new role at GlobalGiving. The successful candidate will be a licensed lawyer with experience in contract law and a desire to build and oversee a legal function within a global nonprofit organization.

We have a collaborative work atmosphere where everyone’s input and ideas are valued. We’re committed to work-life balance and offer everyone opportunities to learn, experiment, and grow. Since creative, enthusiastic employees are our most valued resource and the basis for our success, we take great care in how we attract, hire, and support our employees for a successful career. If you care about collaboration, curiosity, communication excellence, and continuous improvement, this position is right for you.

Primary Responsibilities

Legal Advice & Expertise

• Represent GlobalGiving as its legal counsel
• Assist in resolving routine legal issues or questions; provide legal advice and action plans on key organizational requirements including HR, data protection, intellectual property, regional regulatory compliance, contractual terms and conditions, etc.
• Provide correct, honest and positive judgment at all times in GlobalGiving’s best interests.

External Legal Expertise Assessment & Coordination

• Assess fit and effectiveness of law firms GlobalGiving is working with, including pro bono; for any changes, support leadership to negotiate terms and secure partnerships.
• Identify a law firm or other external partner to help us monitor and navigate regulatory changes.
• Serve as a clearinghouse for legal advice and gatekeeper for seeking advice.
• Maintain a register/list of the law firms that we are working with, on what basis + what topics.

Knowledge Sharing & Training

• Own/oversee all processes related to seeking, compiling, saving and sharing legal advice.
• Maintain standards/guidance related to legal advice.
• Identify training/communications needs for staff and ensure the right people are trained/informed at the right time

Contract Development Support & Oversight

• Assist and counsel staff in evaluating, constructing, and negotiating a broad range of corporate partner agreements, grant agreements, employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, vendor contracts, non-disclosure agreements and other business related contracts and licensing agreements.
• Advise staff on legal questions regarding contracts formation, review, negotiations, and implementation.

Contract Compliance

• Lead contract management and tracking to ensure coordination between master service agreements, statements of work, addenda, and all payments and deliverables.
• Partner with other teams to ensure contracts and are being processed and followed within guidelines.

Policies, Guidance & Templates

• Work across departments to review and suggest changes to policies, and develop guidance and templates to ensure policies are sound and user-friendly.
• Create consistency in messages with legal/compliance implications, and in legal positions for the organization.
• Support use of standard contracts and legal templates for letters and agreements that are needed regularly.
• Independently serve as the primary lawyer responsible for evaluating compliance of template and non-templated contracts.
• Maintain GlobalGiving’s legal documentation and ensure that the working practices are in accordance with its policies and regulations.

Nice to have - may initially be out of scope if we end up going with a part-time person:

• Research & Proactive Monitoring - Conduct research; Remain abreast of regulatory and statutory requirements in countries where GlobalGiving operates and proactively alert leadership to potential risks.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

For our team to be a great fit for you, the following qualifications should resonate with you:

• 5+ years of experience in a legal role.
• A law degree and qualified as a solicitor or a barrister.
• License to practice law in the US or UK.
• In-depth understanding of and experience with US law and government regulations, particularly contract law.
• Experience in the not for profit sector. (Experience in 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit law is preferred.)
• Familiarity with cybersecurity, technology controls, information security, data privacy and protection, and data management is strongly preferred.
• Technical background or proven track record working with technology, including familiarity with server and technology platforms, database management, data center management, IT governance, IT asset management, and incident management is strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently on broad topics and balance multiple projects at once.
• Self-starter who can launch, prioritize and execute activities with minimal supervision.
• Analytical thinker and problem-solver who can articulate options and make effective decisions or recommendations under critical conditions.
• Skilled collaborator who can work well with others and build good relationships with leaders, staff and stakeholders, and offer impartial advice to senior executives on legal matters.
• Fluent in English.
• A passionate belief in the mission of GlobalGiving and a commitment to our core values.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition, the ideal candidate would also have some or all of the following qualifications:

• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations relative to charity compliance and business partnerships.
• In-depth understanding of local charity laws in the US, UK and China and legal procedures, government regulations including data protection laws, anti bribery and corruption protocols etc.
• Proficiency in a language other than English (Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Mandarin most useful)

Benefits

Salary + Benefits

Salary range: $90K + benefits for 30 hours per week.

Benefits include flexible work hours, remote work options, professional development opportunities, and a meaningful job where you can go home at night and say, "Today, my work helped more than 700 kids get their essential health and educational needs met." (One of many true stories.) And of course, we've also got you covered with benefits like health care, dental/vision, paid family leave, commuter benefits, and 401K.

Location

This position reports to the Director of Global Operations (or, the VP of Strategy & Talent if the Director of Global Operations role is vacant). The preferred location for this role is in GlobalGiving’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., with a hybrid work arrangement whereby you will work certain days in the office and work remotely on other days. A fully remote arrangement may be a possibility for the right candidate.

Applicants must reside in the United States. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have legal authorization to work in the United States for the duration of this permanent position. GlobalGiving does not sponsor employment visas.

In efforts to safeguard the health of our employees and their families, GlobalGiving requires all employees to adhere to the GlobalGiving Vaccination Mandate policy upon their start date. New employees will be required to be fully vaccinated upon their start date, if expected to work from the office. New employees working remotely who will have occasional contact with the office and/or co-workers will also be required to be fully vaccinated.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.