The Foundation is seeking a highly skilled and dynamic lawyer to:
Support the Legal Manager/In House Counsel in her advisory capacity within the Foundation on commercial agreements, potential contentious issues and other strategic legal issues (approximately 60%); andsupport the TrustLaw team to run its global pro bono service, primarily focusing on scoping legal requests from NGOs and social enterprises and managing strategic research programmes (approximately 40%).
Responsibilities
Reporting to and under the guidance of the Legal Manager/In House Counsel, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
In-House Counsel Responsibilities
Provision of legal advice to the Foundation and its four main programmes on a range of issues, including:
review and negotiation of a range of commercial contracts and agreements, including partnership agreements, funding agreements, service contracts, terms & conditions for
websites and services;
handling potential disputes and litigation (under the guidance of the Legal Manager/In-House Counsel) briefing outside counsel where necessary;
media law issues (content partnerships, licensing agreements, defamation/libel claims);
charity law issues; and
other strategic legal issues (note that employment law expertise is not required as we rely on external advisors for this).
Supporting the Legal Manager/In House Counsel to brief and liaise with external legal advisors on issues where the Foundation does not have the expertise or capacity to assist. Lawyers in the TrustLaw team are also able to support you on issues where they have expertise.
TrustLaw Responsibilities
Scoping requests for pro bono legal assistance from our community of NGOs and social enterprises so that the requests clearly explain the legal needs.
Designing, scoping and managing cross-border research programmes that address the most critical social and policy needs facing our NGO and social enterprise members.
Managing pro bono requests, including connecting the pro bono client with lawyers and follow up with the parties involved.
Supporting the team on thought leadership projects including the TrustLaw social enterprise and impact investing training courses.
The candidate
A lawyer with strong corporate/commercial legal skills (any experience with media law and/or charity law would be a plus). You will have 1 to 2 years post-qualification experience in private practice or in an in-house team.
While expertise in all of the legal areas outlined above is not essential, broad legal and commercial knowledge and the ability to issue spot is critical.
Experience, or a demonstrated interest, in the pro bono sector, with knowledge of key global development trends and/or experience working with the charitable, philanthropic or social enterprise sector.
The proven ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders, from senior corporate executives and partners of top law firms to social entrepreneurs, NGOs, media organisations, funders, multilateral organisations and any other beneficiaries of our services.
Fluent in English, with excellent written and spoken communication skills and an ability to adapt messages to different audiences.
Ability to work quickly under pressure, to prioritise work and meet deadlines to drive projects to completion.
An independent self-starter with an ability to design their own agenda and take responsibility to advance and complete projects.
A strong team player, able to communicate effectively with a global team.
Experience using Salesforce would be favourable.
This is a full-time role, based in Thomson Reuters’ offices in Vienna Court, Nairobi. The salary is commensurate with experience.
The candidate must already have legal status to work in Kenya as the Foundation will not source a work permit or visa on their behalf.
