Reporting to the Director, Legal Operations, the Senior Legal Counsel will be responsible for providing high-quality legal advice and support to key stakeholders within the Foundation’s business across Africa with specific dedication to Ethiopia. S/he will also be responsible for reviewing and advising on vendor contracts and where relevant, funding contracts, and providing post-contracting legal support for the Country Program portfolio and all legal operational needs in the dedicated countries.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE 

• Proactively identify, analyze, and respond to legislative developments affecting the Foundation in Ethiopia.
• Provide support in policy discussions and negotiations with officials internally and externally, developing relationships with members of the legal profession and lawyers working in external law firms and/or partner agencies in stated countries.
• Negotiate and review region-based vendor contracts and communicate feedback appropriately.
• Collaborate with the Legal and Compliance team in providing support to country and program teams in reviewing funding proposals and new program areas.
• Monitor vendor contract compliance on project implementation and related risk management issues.
• Ensure contracts are in line with the Foundation’s policies, procedures, and strategic objectives.
• Provide legal support on projects, programs post-contracting, and other transactions related to the Foundation’s Africa operations in the designated countries.
• In partnership with the business leaders and external partners, co-create the design and support the implementation of legal operations support projects.
• Support the continuous improvement of legal processes and procedures.
• Collaborate with the Legal and Compliance Team to maintain and upgrade legal documentation.
• Champion a values-based compliance culture as our organization evolves.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

WHO YOU ARE

• Degree in law or equivalent (LLB or JD).
• Minimum of 7 years of experience working in a reputable firm or in-house position with a demonstrated record of success, including charitable and non-profit law as well as corporate, contract, and tax law.
• Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, drafting, and negotiation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills, open and receptive to feedback.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel).
• Proven excellence in verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate and distil complex information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Flexible, adaptable, agile, and able to execute a range of job duties with multiple deadlines and changing priorities.
• Possess professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.