The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative working to help tackle the climate crisis by fostering the development of a net-zero emission society at the national, European and global level.

We support over 1000 partner organisations to carry out activities that drive urgent and ambitious policy in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement, contribute to the public debate on climate action and help deliver a socially responsible transition to a net-zero economy and sustainable society in Europe and around the world.

The ECF brings together diverse perspectives and backgrounds to find the most innovative solutions to tackle climate change. We are focusing on engaging and hiring great people from a wide diversity of backgrounds to strengthen the cause. If you share our values of respect, innovation, and collaboration, join us.

The ECF’s strategic communications team is the outreach unit of the foundation. Its role is to act as a centre of expertise for communication on climate change and to play an active role in helping create more political, media and public endorsement for action on climate change at an international, national and sectoral level. Team members deliver strategic advice, communications and outreach support to ECF’s programmes and its grantees, and work as part of a global network of communications experts to enhance the public debate on climate change and its solutions.

As Corporate Legal Officer, Strategic Communications, you will provide confident counsel and efficient support to leadership and colleagues across the team, on all corporate legal matters regarding the strategic communications team’s activities internationally. This will include areas such as corporate, contracting, risk/regulatory, and charitable compliance.

Reporting to the Legal Counsel, Strategic Communications, you will be part of and collaborate closely with the Operations Team, including Finance, Human Resources and grant administration.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, curious, analytical and pragmatic legal professional who enjoys working in dynamic international settings.

Key responsibilities

• Advise the leadership and internal teams more broadly on corporate legal matters, providing clear analysis and recommendations including across jurisdictions globally;
• First point of contact for any internal corporate legal requirements including:
  • Contracting and regranting. This includes supporting and advising colleagues in charge of grants, contracts and procurement on:
    • appropriate contracting/regranting/procurement procedures, and reviewing contracts, MoUs, and NDAs as required;
    • Drafting and maintaining state-of-the-art templates for contracts and grants;
  • Supporting the Operations Team in technical legal issues (IP, Data Protection, Governance compliance, due diligence requirements…);
• Supporting the charitable compliance of the organisation, in line with regulatory and funder requirements e.g. and U.S. 501(c)(3) vs 501(c)(4) compliance;
• Monitoring and advising on relevant corporate legal and regulatory evolution, including donor requirements;
• In collaboration with the Legal Counsel:
  • Supporting corporate legal requirements globally, including corporate governance, contracting, regranting, employment or tax compliance;
  • With the support of specialist counsel, supporting the People and Culture team in ensuring employment legal aspects are managed effectively, including supporting and advising on policies and compliance;
  • Manage a budget and select, retain and manage outside counsel as needed;
• In collaboration with the Operations team, design and implement guidelines, policies, processes and information sessions/training for team members on relevant corporate and contractual legal matters;
• Perform other activities necessary to meet the objectives of the legal function.

• You hold a university degree in law, or equivalent professional qualification, preference for familiarity with common law; international corporate legal support and contract management experience an asset;
• You have proven professional experience in relevant fields of law, corporate legal support ; experience in global HR matters and charitable compliance a plus;
• You have a strong interest in climate and the environment;
• You are a true problem solver and have an analytical mind;
• You are organised and have a keen eye for detail;
• You act with integrity and discretion;
• You have strong networking skills that enable effective collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders;
• You have excellent communication skills in English (both spoken and written), additional languages a plus.

What we offer

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, international group of individuals who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work;
• A flexible work environment and a space to develop and challenge yourself;
• A full-time position with a consultant or employment contract for 12 months, with a possible renewal after one year.

Location

Flexible with occasional travel. We may be able to provide co-working spaces in some locations.

Only candidates with the right to work in their location will be considered.

Start date

As soon as possible

How to apply

Please upload below in English:

• CV
• short cover letter expressing your motivation for this role

Application Closing Date: 24th August 2022

All applications will be treated confidentially. We will store your information in our internal database unless you specifically request otherwise.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our organisation. We strongly encourage candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups to apply.