Legal Consultant at International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

Role and Responsibilities

• Provide legal research, advice and other legal assistance as directed by the Global General Counsel.
• Provide guidance to Grants department as well as review and revise grants for external parties, including draft grant agreements and amendments, and providing ongoing legal support and guidance to IFAW staff on the negotiation and implementation of such agreements.
• Review, revise and draft contracts and other legal documents, including coordinating with internal stakeholders and negotiating with outside parties.
• Review and revise funding agreements and project proposals, including coordinating with internal stakeholders and negotiating with outside parties where necessary.
• Support all IFAW departments including Development, Communications, and Programs with legal matters relating to the creation and implementation of international fundraising campaigns and initiatives, programmatic work, partnerships, and the hiring of vendors and consultants.
• Research and analyze law, and summarize results in legal memoranda and advice to staff.
• Develop and deliver trainings to IFAW staff to build capacity on legal and corporate issues.
• Assist with global contracts tracking and management system, and creating processes to train and empower staff to handle contracting issues in an efficient and compliant manner.
• Work closely with the Global Head of Data Protection & Fundraising Compliance to ensure compliance with data protection and fundraising standards around the world.
• Assist with ensuring strong corporate governance and corporate recordkeeping practices.
• Coordinate with outside legal counsel on particular legal matters.
• Assist with drafting, implementing, and enforcing policies, operating protocols, and data retention practices.
• Anticipate and mitigate potential legal issues involving the global organization.
• Perform other related duties as required

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Admitted to practice law and in good standing in South Africa.
• Minimum ten (10) years of relevant, broad based corporate generalist legal experience in a law firm, government agency, or in-house legal department
• Global mindset: ability to collaborate across borders and cultures. An understanding of the legal risks presented when operating in foreign countries and how to manage those risks
• Have an understanding of how legal issues affect nonprofit organizations and have a demonstrated interest in mission-oriented nonprofit organization and the ability to work harmoniously with diverse groups of people
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment
• Commitment to providing first-rate and timely legal advice and services to all in-house clients
• Excellent analytical, communication, diplomatic, research and writing skills
• Ability to take initiative and complete projects independently, including handling multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work well with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and expertise
• In-house experience, particularly within the global nonprofit sector, preferred
• Experience with international data privacy laws, including GDPR, preferred
• Non-profit law and/or animal law experience preferred
• International experience preferred
• Experience with nonprofit law, tax law or tax-exempt law preferred
• Experience with Multilateral and Cooperative Agreements, preferred
• Foreign language skills preferred
• Demonstrated affinity for IFAW’s mission preferred
• Proficiency in use of computers, including MS Office Suite and ability to learn new legal software quickly

Required documents for consideration:

• Cover Letter 
• Resume or CV