Plan International is looking for an interim Legal Counsel to join our Legal team to support our West & Central Africa region.  The Legal team helps drive good governance and decision making by providing global insights, thought leadership and technical expertise for governors, leaders and staff as they strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

As Legal Counsel you will engage at all levels of the organisation, particularly in our West & Central Africa region, across a broad range of complex legal and governance. You will be part of the Global Hub Legal Team, reporting to Deputy General Counsel, and will also work directly with our regional and country offices, as well as senior stakeholders within the Regional Office and Global Hub’s globally located and multidisciplinary business units.  Legal Counsel will provide legal advice and, where necessary, coordinate specialist legal advice from various firms on domestic and international legal and governance issues, and use your technical and professional legal expertise as an entry point to problem-solve more broadly.

The Individual

We are looking to recruit a fluent French and English speaking lawyer (3+ years PQE). Experience practicing as a lawyer in a West or Central African jurisdiction is desirable; otherwise, an understanding of, or connection to, the West and Central African region would be an advantage. Ability to speak Portuguese and/or dual qualification in one of UK, US or a European jurisdiction are desirable but not essential.

You will have a demonstrable ability to use legal skills to solve problems and identify and implement pragmatic solutions. You will be able to give legal advice internationally on a diverse range of issues including: employment and labour law, commercial/contract, restructuring, corporate governance (including subsidiary management), charity/not-for-profit, data privacy, intellectual property, dispute resolution or management of legal claims. In-house experience, including as well as advising and reporting on legal and other risks, would be an advantage.

Key Relationships 

Internal

· General Counsel (high)

· Deputy General Counsel/Legal Counsels/Trainee Secondee (high)

· Regional Director, Directors of Sub-Regions, West and Central Africa (high)

· Director of Global Risk Management and Insurance and Risk and Insurance Team (high)

· Company Secretariat Team (high)

· Safeguarding Children and Young People Unit (medium)

· Executive Office (medium/low)

· Managers and coordinators of specific functions, projects and programmes (medium)

· Country Directors, National Office Directors, finance/ admin managers and HR

managers at Plan International’s headquarters, regional and country offices and at

Plan National Organisations (medium)

· International Board, Members’ Assembly and Committees (low)

External

· External law firms in Africa (high)

· Lawyers and compliance officers working in other NGOs (low)

· Service Providers (low)

Knowledge

· Qualified as a lawyer in a jurisdiction in which Plan International has a Country or Regional Office within West and Central Africa (with 3+ years post qualification experience) or in the UK, US or a European jurisdiction.

· Strong experience in employment law gained either in private practice or an in- house role at an international organisation. In particular, experience of handling employment law issues including consultation and employee relations.

· Cross-jurisdictional experience at providing legal advice on a diverse range of issues, including significant commercial contract experience.

· Knowledge and understanding of the legal, regulatory and ethical compliance issues affecting international not for profit organisations.

· Knowledge and understanding of corporate governance issues, including as they affect international organisations and the not for profit sector.

Skills

· Ability to communicate effectively in French and English.

· Highly effective at using legal skills to solve problems and identify and implement pragmatic solutions.

· Able to develop efficient, effective legal processes that are user-friendly and fit for purpose, and to identify ways to streamline systems and processes to minimise effort and maximise value

· Strong legal drafting skills and powers of analysis with excellent attention to detail including when under pressure.

· Able to apply legal expertise to develop and implement legal or governance systems, processes and policies.

· Ability to think and advise strategically.

Able to influence and build strong relationships with different types of people at all levels.

· Self-motivated, efficient and highly organised.

· Creative problem solver

· Highly effective prioritisation of competing requests

· Ability to influence those over whom the post holder has no direct responsibility

· Strong on delivery and effective completer-finisher

Behaviours

· Highly professional, customer focussed, constructive and positive in approach.

· Flexible and proactive, resilient, comfortable with and adapts well to change

· Team player, highly collaborative, able to work effectively in a matrix management structure

· Diplomatic, culturally and politically sensitive

· Committed to the values, aims and objectives of Plan International

Desirable

Portuguese language skills (in addition to French and English) would be advantageous.